Andy La Rocque with his ESP signature guitar

Photo: Michele Aldeghi

Guitarist · Producer · Engineer

Andy
La Rocque

Lead Guitarist of King Diamond since 1985

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About

Four Decades of Darkness & Melody

Andy La Rocque performing live with his ESP signature guitar

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Andy La Rocque has been the lead guitarist and a primary songwriter for King Diamond since joining the band in 1985 during the recording of Fatal Portrait. His neoclassical phrasing and fiery melodic solos have become a defining element of the band's iconic horror metal sound.

Beyond King Diamond, La Rocque has contributed memorable guest solos to albums by Death, At the Gates, Falconer, Witchery, Melechesh, and many more. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007 and is consistently recognized as one of heavy metal's most skilled and most underrated guitarists, citing Michael Schenker and Randy Rhoads as his primary influences.

As owner of Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden, La Rocque is also a highly respected producer and engineer, having worked with artists including Evergrey, HammerFall, King of Asgard, Lord Belial, In Flames, and many others. For a complete discography and session history, see his profiles on Metal Archives and Wikipedia.

ESP LTD ALR-II

ESP Guitars

ESP LTD ALR-II — Andy La Rocque Signature Guitar

ESP Guitars booth at NAMM 2025
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ESP Guitars

ESP Guitars at NAMM 2025 — ALR-II Signature

ESP LTD ALR-II

ESP LTD ALR-II — Andy La Rocque Signature Guitar
ESP LTD ALR-II — Andy La Rocque Signature Guitar
ESP LTD ALR-II — Andy La Rocque Signature Guitar

The LTD ALR-II is the Signature Series guitar for Andy La Rocque — built for the demands of his melodic yet aggressive playing style honed over four decades with King Diamond.

Body ShapeHorizon
ConstructionNeck-Thru-Body
Scale24.75"
TopQuilted Maple
FingerboardMacassar Ebony
Frets24 Extra-Jumbo Stainless Steel
HeadstockTeardrop
Side MarkersLuminlay
BridgeFloyd Rose 1000 Double-Locking Tremolo
Bridge PickupSeymour Duncan TB-4 JB Trembucker
Neck PickupSeymour Duncan STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus
Pickup TypePassive
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Endorsed By

Andy La Rocque with his Ernie Ball strings endorsement
ESP Guitars Marshall Seymour Duncan Ernie Ball Strings Dunlop Kylla Custom Rock Wear Richter Premium Guitar Straps Zuta Warwick Rockbass Neural DSP

Studio

Sonic Train Studios

Varberg, Sweden

Sonic Train Studios — control room

Professional recording, mixing, and production facility. Two optimized control rooms for tracking and overdubs. Where metal is forged.

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