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Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate performing in 2022
Mercyful Fate performing in 2022
Background information
OriginCopenhagen,Denmark
Genres
DiscographyMercyful Fate discography
Years active
  • 1981–1985
  • 1992–1999
  • 2008
  • 2011
  • 2019–present
Labels
SpinoffsKing Diamond
Members
Past members
Websitemercyfulfatecoven.com

Mercyful Fateis a Danishheavy metalband fromCopenhagen,formed in 1981 by vocalistKing Diamondand guitaristHank Shermann.[4]Influenced byprogressive rockandhard rock,and with lyrics dealing withLaVeyan Satanism(often withironicorsardonicuse ofChristianthemes) and theoccult,Mercyful Fate was part of thefirst wave of black metalin the early to mid-1980s, along withVenomandBathory.[5][6]The band is also cited as a formative influence on many then-up-and-coming subgenres of heavy metal, includingthrash metal[7][8]anddeath metal,as well as theNorwegian black metalscene.[9][10][11]

Since its inception in 1981, Mercyful Fate has released seven studio albums, twoextended plays,and fourcompilations.After several line-up changes and self-made demos, they released theirself-titled EPin 1982, with the line-up ofKing Diamond(vocals), Hank Shermann (lead and rhythm guitars), Michael Denner (rhythm and lead guitars),Timi Hansen(bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums). With this line-up the group recorded their first two studio albums (1983'sMelissaand 1984'sDon't Break the Oath); in spite of their reputation as one of the most acclaimed bands of the European heavy metal scene of the 1980s, Mercyful Fate were the subject of controversy due to their satanic imagery, and one of their songs "Into the Coven" (fromMelissa) later gained notoriety for appearing as one of thePMRC's "Filthy Fifteen" list of objectionable songs.[12]

After disbanding in 1985 due to musical differences, four out of the five members of Mercyful Fate reunited in 1992 and recorded the albumIn the Shadows,which was released the following year. During the 1990s, the band released four more studio albums and went through several line-up changes. Mercyful Fate went on hiatus in 1999, but had reunited on occasion during the 2000s. On August 1, 2019, it was announced that Mercyful Fate were reuniting on a more permanent basis, with plans to tour[4][13]and release a new album, which will be their first since9in 1999.[14]

History

[edit]

Formation and first releases (1981–1985)

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Mercyful Fate was originally formed inCopenhagenin the spring of 1981,[15]following the dissolution of the band Brats.[16]Brats were apunk/metal band, featuring future Mercyful Fate members, vocalistKing Diamond,and guitaristsHank Shermannand Michael Denner.[17]After two studio albums and several line-up changes (including the addition of Diamond and the departure of Denner), Diamond and Shermann began writing new material that was much heavier than any of Brats' previous work.[17]The band's record labelCBSwas not pleased with the material, and demanded they stop singing in English and become more commercial.[17]As a result, Diamond and Shermann quit the group and went on to form Mercyful Fate.[17]Former Rock Nalle bassistOle Beich(later ofL.A. GunsandGuns N' Roses) briefly joined the band around this time.[18]After several line-up changes and semi-professional demo tapes, Mercyful Fate released theirself-titled EPin 1982.[19][20]This line-up, consisting of King Diamond, Hank Shermann, bassist Timi Hansen, drummer Kim Ruzz and guitarist Michael Denner,[21]would go on to record the group's first two studio albums.[citation needed]

In July 1983, Mercyful Fate recorded their debut album at Easy Sound Recording, in Copenhagen, Denmark.[22]EntitledMelissa,the album was produced by Henrik Lund and released on October 30, 1983 throughRoadrunner Records.[22]Melissahas been referred to as "one of the first records to start to develop an 'extreme metal' sound "and was major influence on the then-emergingthrash metal,death metalandblack metalgenres.[23]The character of Melissa, awitchwho was burned at the stake, appears for the first time on the eponymous debut album and intermittently throughout the band's later work.[24]One of the album's tracks, "Into the Coven", received particular attention two years later, when it was listed by theParents Music Resource Center(PMRC) as one of their "Filthy Fifteen" songs due to its perceived occult content.[12]King Diamond was, in reality, interested inLaVeyan Satanism,which he called "a life philosophy" and stated that it had nothing to do withthe DevilofAbrahamic religions.[25]After a number of concerts around Denmark, Mercyful Fate entered the studio in May 1984 to record their second studio albumDon't Break the Oath,which was released on September 7, 1984.[26]During the album's supporting tour, the band played the US for two months and made festival appearances in Germany.[27]Despite winning acult followingaround the world, Mercyful Fate broke up in April 1985, due to musical differences.[16][27][28]Guitarist Hank Shermann wanted the band to move to a more commercial sound;[16]King Diamond refused and announced his departure from Mercyful Fate, which led to the band breaking up.[27]

After disbanding (1985–1992)

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After Mercyful Fate broke up in 1985, King Diamond, along with Michael Denner andTimi Hansen,formed the eponymousKing Diamondband.[29][27][28]Both Denner and Hansen stayed with the group until 1987'sAbigail,after which both left King Diamond.[30]They were replaced byMike Moonand Hal Patino, respectively, and King Diamond continued releasing albums even after Mercyful Fate had reformed.[30]After leaving King Diamond, Michael Denner opened up a recordshop in Copenhagen, until 1988, when he formed the band Lavina (which would later become Zoser Mez), along with former bandmate Hank Shermann.[30][31][better source needed]Hank Shermann had formed the hard rock bandFatein 1985, after having left Mercyful Fate.[32]With Fate, Shermann released two albums: 1985'sFateand 1986'sA Matter of Attitude.[32]After leaving the band, Shermann joined-up with Michael Denner to form Lavina.[32]

During the time Mercyful Fate were disbanded, Roadrunner Records released three Mercyful Fatecompilation albums.The Beginningwas released on June 24, 1987, and featured material from the band's 1982 self-titled EP, as well as rare live and studio recordings.[33]On May 12, 1992,Return of the Vampirewas released, which was another compilation of rare studio recordings.[34]On October 6, 1992, Roadrunner Records releasedA Dangerous Meeting;a greatest hits album under the King Diamond name, featuring material from both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond.[35]

Reunion (1992–1999)

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In 1992, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited to reform Mercyful Fate (drummer Kim Ruzz was replaced by Morten Nielsen).[20]The result was the band's third albumIn the Shadows,which was released on June 22, 1993 throughMetal Blade Records.[36]The album also featured a guest appearance byMetallicadrummerLars Ulrich(a fellow Dane) on the track "Return of the Vampire".[36]For the album's supporting tour, Morten Nielsen was replaced by King Diamond drummerSnowy Shaw,due to a knee injury Nielsen had sustained.[20]Bassist Timi Hansen was also replaced bySharlee D'Angelo,as Hansen did not want to take part in touring.[20][37][better source needed]On June 27, 1994, the band releasedThe Bell Witch,an EP of live tracks, as well as studio recordings fromIn the Shadows.[38]

King Diamondperforming with Mercyful Fate in 1999

On October 25, 1994, Mercyful Fate released its fourth albumTime,which was recorded and mixed at the Dallas Sound Lab during May–August 1994.[39]After the album's release, drummer Snowy Shaw was replaced by Bjarne T. Holm for the Time Tour.[20]Holm had originally been asked to join Mercyful Fate back in 1981, but had declined due to prior commitments.[20]The band spent January through February 1996 recording and mixing their next albumInto the Unknown,which was released on August 20, 1996.[40]After the album's release, guitarist Michael Denner left the band and was replaced byMike Wead.[20]In October 1997, Mercyful Fate began recording its sixth albumDead Againat the Nomad Recording Studio inCarrollton, Texas.[41]Dead Againwas released on June 9, 1998.[41]In February 1999, Mercyful Fate began recording its seventh studio album9,which was released on June 15, 1999.[42]

Hiatus and sporadic reunions (1999–2018)

[edit]

After the supporting tour for9,Mercyful Fate was put on hiatus. King Diamond focused on his eponymous band, along with guitarist Mike Wead, who joined the group during the EuropeanHouse of Godtour.[30]Hank Shermann and Bjarne T. Holm reunited with Michael Denner to form Force of Evil, while Sharlee D'Angelo joined the bandArch Enemy.[43]When asked about the current state of the band in 2008, Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", and that "it's definitely not finished, at least in my book."[44]In August 2008, King Diamond was asked byMetallicadrummerLars Ulrichif Mercyful Fate would be willing to participate inActivision'sGuitar Hero: Metallicavideo game.[45]Ulrich requested the original masters for two of the band's songs, so they could be used in the game.[45]Unable to locate them, Diamond suggested to Activision the band re-record the songs, and as a result, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner, Timi Hansen and Bjarne T. Holm reunited to re-record the songs "Evil" and "Curse of the Pharaohs".[45]King Diamond was also made into a playable character in the game.[45]

On December 7, 2011, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited onstage at Metallica's 30th Anniversary concert, at the Fillmore inSan Francisco, California,where they, alongside Metallica, performed the latter's "Mercyful Fate" medley fromGarage Inc.[46]

On January 28, 2017, the original line-up of Mercyful Fate (minus Diamond) reunited to receive the Pioneer Prize at theSteppeulvenceremony by the Danish Association of Music Critics at theBremen Teaterin Copenhagen. This marks the first time drummer Ruzz appeared with the band after the 1985 split.[47]

Full-time reunion (2019–present)

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Mercyful Fate performing in 2022

On August 1, 2019, it was announced that Mercyful Fate would be performing an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe in the summer of 2020. The band's line-up consists of King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann on guitar, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, Mike Wead on guitar andJoey Veraon bass, the latter of whom was filling in for Timi Hansen, who was battling cancer;[48]Vera then became their full-time bass player after Hansen died on November 4, 2019, shortly after his 61st birthday.[49]Aside from previously released material, the band was also going to perform new songs over the course of the summer.[50]

In a May 2020 interview with Heavy magazine, Shermann said that he had "written six or seven songs" for the band's new album.[51]On June 2, 2022, Mercyful Fate performed their first live show since 1999 inHanoveras part of a European tour, where they debuted a brand new song titled "The Jackal of Salzburg".[52][53]

On January 16, 2024, Mercyful Fate announced that they had "mutually decided to split ways" with Vera.[54]Three days later, it was announced Becky Baldwin was the new bassist of the band, who filled in for Vera during the band's 2022 tour.[55]In the following month, Baldwin stated that the new Mercyful Fate album is not expected to be released before 2025, due toKing Diamond's focus on hisnamesake band's upcoming thirteenth studio albumThe Institute.[56]

Style and legacy

[edit]

Mercyful Fate were a part of thefirst wave of black metal,along with other groups, such asVenom,Bathory,andHellhammer.[57]Many of these groups helped establish the style upon which future black metal artists would later build.[57]Unlike the other first-wave bands, typical elements of Mercyful Fate's style are influences fromprogressive rock,[58]epic 1970shard rock,[19]and traditional heavy metal. As many of the band's songs featured lyrics aboutSatanismand theoccult[11][59]and King Diamond was among the first black metal musicians to use the now famouscorpse paint,[60]Mercyful Fate was a pioneer in developing black metal,[11][59]although their musical style was not as much an influence as that of other first wave bands.[19]The band has also been cited as an influence on or inspiration to bands of the then-emergingdeath metalgenre, includingDeath,[61]Morbid Angel,[62]Obituary[63]andCannibal Corpse.[64]

Mercyful Fate have been cited as a formative influence on the 1980s thrash metal scene, including two-fourths of the genre's "big four" –MetallicaandSlayer.[7][8][65]Other thrash metal bands that have cited the band as an influence or inspiration to them includeTestament,[66]Exodus[67]andKreator.[68]Slayer guitaristKerry Kinghas stated that he and then-guitaristJeff Hannemanwere big fans of Mercyful Fate and cited them as influence on their second albumHell Awaits.[7][69][better source needed]Metallica recorded a medley of Mercyful Fate songs on their 1998 covers albumGarage Inc..Since then, the band has performed the song various times live with several members of Mercyful Fate.[46][70][better source needed][71]Lars Ulrichfrom Metallica has said in about 2008: "Mercyful Fate has made two of the best heavy rock records ever. We have been friends with them for 23 years. The first time I ever played on some other record was with them – I was in Dallas to makeReturn of the Vampirein 1992. They have been a very, very big inspiration for our sound. "[72]

Band members

[edit]

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]
Main article:Mercyful Fate discography

References

[edit]
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  2. ^Nielsen, Jens-Emil (2014).80'er rock: Dansk rock 1980-1990(in Danish) (1st ed.).Her & Nu.p. 74.ISBN978-87-93093-85-0.[...] sataniske tekster, som gør, at de er med til at skabe undergenren black metal. [English: [...] satanic lyrics, which entails that they are involved in creating the subgenre black metal.]
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