"Grandma, welcome home."
That one line is basically the trigger for one of the most twisted stories in heavy metal history. If you've ever cranked up the 1988 classic album Them, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The song is "Welcome Home," and honestly, it’s the perfect cinematic opening to a nightmare.
Most people just hear the high-pitched wails and the shredding of Andy LaRocque and think it's just another 80s metal track. But look closer at those Welcome Home lyrics. King Diamond wasn't just writing songs; he was writing a screenplay for the ears.
The Setup: More Than Just a "Vacation"
The track starts with a young King, his mother, and his sister Missy waiting. They’re standing outside a house that feels more like a character than a setting. Grandma is coming back from a "vacation," which we quickly find out is actually a stint in a mental asylum.
The lyrics are super deceptive at first. "Welcome home, you've been gone for far too long." It sounds sweet, right? Like a family reunion. But the atmosphere is thick with dread. King Diamond (the man, Kim Bendix Petersen) uses his signature falsetto to voice the children, but when he drops into those mid-range growls, you feel the weight of the house.
The house is called Amon.
It’s not just wood and stone. It’s occupied by "Them"—these unseen spectral entities that inhabit the attic and the shadows. When Grandma rolls in, she’s not just bringing luggage. She’s bringing the keys to a very literal hell.
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Why the Lyrics Hit Different
What makes the Welcome Home lyrics stand out is the transition from domestic normalcy to supernatural horror.
- The Invitation: Grandma isn't just a guest; she’s the gatekeeper.
- The Secrecy: The lyrics hint that things aren't what they seem. "Is it really you, Grandma?"
- The Ritual: While "Welcome Home" sets the stage, it leads directly into the tea-drinking rituals that involve blood and possession.
Honestly, the way King writes this is kind of genius. He uses the first-person perspective, putting himself in the story. It makes the horror feel personal. You’re not just watching a movie; you’re sitting at the table with a crazy old lady and a haunted teapot.
The Storyline: A Descent into Madness
To really get what's happening in the lyrics of this song, you have to understand the arc of the album. After the "Welcome Home" greeting, things go south fast. King discovers Grandma having "tea" with invisible guests. Teacups are floating. The air is cold.
The lyrics in the middle of the song—specifically the instrumental sections—feel like the frantic heartbeat of a kid realizing something is wrong. Andy LaRocque’s solos aren't just there to show off. They represent the chaos.
Grandma eventually lures King into the "House of Amon" secrets. She tells him about "Them." She uses a teapot (also named Amon) that requires blood to speak. The "Welcome Home" sentiment is completely shredded by the time the family starts getting picked off.
Fact Check: The Clerks II Connection
You might recognize this song from a weirdly specific place: the movie Clerks II. There’s a scene where Elias is obsessed with the song, and it’s played for comedic effect. While it’s funny to see a dorky character rocking out to King Diamond, it actually introduced a whole new generation to these lyrics.
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But don't let the comedy fool you. The source material is grim.
Breakdown of Key Lyric Phrases
Let’s look at some specific lines that people often overlook.
"I'm so glad you're back where you belong."
This is a double entendre. Does she belong with her family, or does she belong in the haunted house where "They" can use her? Given that Grandma ends up being a vessel for malevolent spirits, the "belonging" is definitely sinister.
"The house is alive."
In the context of the Them narrative, this isn't a metaphor. The House of Amon is a living, breathing entity fueled by the entities known as "Them."
"Look at her eyes."
King often emphasizes Grandma's eyes in the lyrics. In horror, the eyes are everything. They show the possession, the "madness" that she supposedly went to the asylum for, and the coldness of what she's become.
Why King Diamond Still Matters
Honestly, nobody does concept albums like King. Plenty of bands try to tell stories, but they usually get lost in the weeds or become too "proggy." King keeps it grounded in traditional heavy metal while layering the theater on top.
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The Welcome Home lyrics are the gateway drug. If you like this, you end up down the rabbit hole of Abigail or The Eye. But Them is arguably his most "human" story because it involves family betrayal. It’s about a grandmother—someone who should be a source of comfort—becoming the ultimate predator.
Real Expert Insights
Metal historians often point to 1988 as a turning point for King. He had just moved on from the initial Mercyful Fate breakup and was proving he could sustain a long-form narrative. The production on "Welcome Home" is also notable because it used binaural recording techniques (in some sections) to make the voices of "Them" sound like they were whispering right behind you.
If you're listening on headphones, the lyrics "They are here..." hit way harder.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
If you want to fully experience the "Welcome Home" narrative, don't just read the lyrics on a screen. Here is how to actually digest the story:
- Listen to "Them" and "Conspiracy" back-to-back. "Welcome Home" is just the start. The story actually concludes in the following album, Conspiracy, where King (the character) deals with the aftermath of his sister Missy’s death and his own incarceration.
- Watch the music video. It features the "Grandma" character and gives a visual to the creepy house mentioned in the lyrics.
- Read the liner notes. King Diamond albums often include extra prose that explains the "unspoken" parts of the lyrics. It fills in the gaps between the songs.
- Track the vocal shifts. Try to identify which "character" King is playing during different lines of the song. He uses different vocal registers for himself, the Grandma, and "Them."
The lyrics to "Welcome Home" aren't just words; they're the opening of a door. Just be careful who you let in.
Next Steps for Deep Exploration:
To get the full picture of the Amon saga, your next move is to analyze the track "Bye, Bye Missy." It’s the narrative climax where the "Welcome Home" promise is finally, violently broken. This will give you the closure on why the "Grandma" character is one of the most hated and feared figures in metal history.