After 12 long years, the master of conceptual metal horror, King Diamond, has officially returned with the new single, "Masquerade of Madness."

The song has been a feature of 2019 set lists, making its live debut earlier this year as fans await next year's release of The Institute. "Masquerade of Madness" is classic King Diamond — sinister riffs, haunting melodies, piercing vocals and a dark storyline with a huge hook.

For the painted singer, who has battled multiple health issues since 2006, this new record will be the first record since Give Me Your Soul... Please, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance for "Never Ending Hill." The Institute is set in a 1920s asylum, and its tale will be spread across two full-length releases.

Read the lyrics to "Masquerade of Madness" below and listen to the song further down the page.

There is a girl in misery
And in sanity
Painting figures on her walls
Those voodoo dolls

I come to say goodbye
I'll take you down to #9

Masquerade of madness
Masquerade of sadness
Madness

There is a masque for all the dead
And a masque for pain
You gotta leave your mind behind
Don't go insane

I come to say goodbye
I'll take you down to #9

Masquerade of madness
Masquerade of sadness
Madness

...And when they come for you tonight
Darkness of the mind
Keep on the masque they made for you
Only speak inside

I come to say goodbye
I'll take you down to #9

Masquerade of madness
Masquerade of sadness
Madness

Also on deck for 2020 is the long-desired reunion of Mercyful Fate, of which King is also the singer. The resurrected group has vowed to play an undetermined amount of shows next year and have even started writing new material.

Catch King Diamond on his headlining North American tour with special guests Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats in addition to Idle Hands.

King Diamond, "Masquerade of Madness"

See King Diamond in the Best Metal Album of Each Year Since 1970

More From Loudwire