Mercyful Fate

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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 Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann.[4] Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, and with lyrics dealing with LaVeyan Satanism (often with ironic or sardonic use of Christian themes) and the occult, Mercyful Fate was part of the first wave of black metal in the early to mid-1980s, along with Venom and Bathory.[5][6] The band is also cited as a formative influence on many then-up-and-coming subgenres of heavy metal, including thrash metal[7][8] and death metal, as well as the Norwegian black metal scene.[9][10][11]

Since its inception in 1981, Mercyful Fate has released seven studio albums, two extended plays, and four compilations. After several line-up changes and self-made demos, they released their self-titled EP in 1982, with the line-up of King 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's Melissa and 1984's Don'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" (from Melissa) later gained notoriety for appearing as one of the PMRC'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 album In 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 since 9 in 1999.[14]

History

Formation and first releases (1981–1985)

Mercyful Fate was originally formed in Copenhagen in the spring of 1981,[15] following the dissolution of the band Brats.[16] Brats had been a punk/metal band, featuring future Mercyful Fate members, vocalist King Diamond, and guitarists Hank Shermann and 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 label CBS was 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 bassist Ole Beich (later of L.A. Guns and Guns N' Roses) briefly joined the band around this time.[18] After several line-up changes and semi-professional demo tapes, Mercyful Fate released their self-titled EP in 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.

witch who was burned at the stake, appears for the first time on the eponymous debut album and intermittently throughout the band's later work.[23] One of the album's tracks, "Into the Coven", received particular attention two years later, when it was listed by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) as one of their "Filthy Fifteen" songs due to its perceived occult content.[12] King Diamond was, in reality, interested in LaVeyan Satanism, which he called "a life philosophy" and stated that it had nothing to do with the Devil of Abrahamic religions.[24] After a number of concerts around Denmark, Mercyful Fate entered the studio in May 1984 to record their second studio album Don't Break the Oath, which was released on September 7, 1984.[25] During the album's supporting tour, the band played the US for two months and made festival appearances in Germany.[26] Despite winning a cult following around the world, Mercyful Fate broke up in April 1985, due to musical differences.[16][26][27] 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.[26]

After disbanding (1985–1992)

After Mercyful Fate broke up in 1985, King Diamond, along with Michael Denner and

better source needed] Hank Shermann had formed the hard rock band Fate in 1985, after having left Mercyful Fate.[31] With Fate, Shermann released two albums: 1985's Fate and 1986's A Matter of Attitude.[31] After leaving the band, Shermann joined-up with Michael Denner to form Lavina.[31]

During the time Mercyful Fate were disbanded, Roadrunner Records released three Mercyful Fate compilation albums. The Beginning was released on June 24, 1987, and featured material from the band's 1982 self-titled EP, as well as rare live and studio recordings.[32] On May 12, 1992, Return of the Vampire was released, which was another compilation of rare studio recordings.[33] On October 6, 1992, Roadrunner Records released A Dangerous Meeting; a greatest hits album under the King Diamond name, featuring material from both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond.[34]

Reunion (1992–1999)

In 1992, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited to reform Mercyful Fate (drummer Kim Ruzz was replaced by Morten Nielsen).

better source needed] On June 27, 1994, the band released The Bell Witch, an EP of live tracks, as well as studio recordings from In the Shadows.[37]

King Diamond performing with Mercyful Fate in 1999

On October 25, 1994, Mercyful Fate released the album Time, which was recorded and mixed at the Dallas Sound Lab during May–August 1994.[38] 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 the album Into the Unknown, which was released on August 20, 1996.[39] After the album's release, guitarist Michael Denner left the band and was replaced by Mike Wead.[20] In October 1997, Mercyful Fate began recording the album Dead Again at the Nomad Recording Studio in Carrollton, Texas.[40] Dead Again was released on June 9, 1998.[40] In February 1999, Mercyful Fate began recording the album 9, which was released on June 15, 1999.[41]

Hiatus and sporadic reunions (1999–2018)

After the supporting tour for 9, Mercyful Fate was put on hiatus. King Diamond focused on his eponymous band, along with guitarist Mike Wead, who joined the group during the European House of God tour.[29] Hank Shermann and Bjarne T. Holm reunited with Michael Denner to form Force of Evil, while Sharlee D'Angelo joined the band Arch Enemy.[42] 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."[43] In August 2008, King Diamond was asked by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich if Mercyful Fate would be willing to participate in Activision's Guitar Hero: Metallica video game.[44] Ulrich requested the original masters for two of the band's songs, so they could be used in the game.[44] 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".[44] King Diamond was also made into a playable character in the game.[44]

On December 7, 2011, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited onstage at Metallica's 30th Anniversary concert, at the Fillmore in

San Francisco, California, where they, alongside Metallica, performed the latter's "Mercyful Fate" medley from Garage Inc.[45]

On January 28, 2017, the original line-up of Mercyful Fate (minus Diamond) reunited to receive the Pioneer Prize at the

Steppeulven ceremony by the Danish Association of Music Critics at the Bremen Teater in Copenhagen. This marks the first time drummer Ruzz appeared with the band after the 1985 split.[46]

Full-time reunion (2019–present)

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 and Joey Vera on bass, the latter of whom was filling in for Timi Hansen, who was battling cancer;[47] Vera then became their full-time bass player after Hansen died on November 4, 2019, shortly after his 61st birthday.[48] Aside from previously released material, the band was also going to perform new songs over the course of the summer.[49]

In a May 2020 interview with Heavy magazine, Shermann said that he had "written six or seven songs" for the band's new album.[50] On June 2, 2022, Mercyful Fate performed their first live show since 1999 in Hanover as part of a European tour, where they debuted a brand new song titled "The Jackal of Salzburg".[51][52]

On January 16, 2024, Mercyful Fate announced that they had "mutually decided to split ways" with Vera.[53] 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.[54] In the following month, Baldwin stated that the new Mercyful Fate album is not expected to be released before 2025, due to King Diamond's focus on his namesake band's upcoming thirteenth studio album The Institute.[55]

Style and legacy

Mercyful Fate were a part of the first wave of black metal, along with other groups, such as Venom, Bathory, and Hellhammer.[56] Many of these groups helped establish the style upon which future black metal artists would later build.[56] Unlike the other first-wave bands, typical elements of Mercyful Fate's style are influences from progressive rock,[57] epic 1970s hard rock,[19] and traditional heavy metal. As many of the band's songs featured lyrics about Satanism and the occult[11][58] and King Diamond was among the first black metal musicians to use the now famous corpse paint,[59] Mercyful Fate was a pioneer in developing black metal,[11][58] 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-emerging death metal genre, including Death,[60] Morbid Angel,[61] Obituary[62] and Cannibal Corpse.[63]

Mercyful Fate have been cited as a formative influence on the 1980s thrash metal scene, including two-fourths of the genre's "big four" –

better source needed][70] Lars Ulrich from 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 make Return of the Vampire in 1992. They have been a very, very big inspiration for our sound."[71]

Band members

Timeline

Discography

References

  1. . En af grundlæggerne af 'black metal': heavy metal med udtalt satanistiske tekster. [English: One of the founders of 'black metal': heavy metal with pronouncedly satanic lyrics.]
  2. . [...] 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.]
  3. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry & Born, R. "Mercyful Fate". MusicMight. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Biography - Hank Shermann | Official Website
  5. ^ "Essential Black Metal Albums". Heavy Music Headquarters. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  6. ^ "Heavy Metal Culture — 10 Metal Bands that Broke Up too Soon". Heavy Metal Culture. July 4, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Slayer's Kerry King: My 10 Favorite Metal Albums". Rolling Stone. July 14, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Mercyful Fate – The high pitched un-powered metal band". metalinjection.com. April 3, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Essential Black Metal Listening: MERCYFUL FATE Melissa". metalinjection.com. February 23, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Impact of Mercyful Fate's Melissa 40 Years Later". metalsucks.net. October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Mercyful Fate: Melissa - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "The 'Worst' Lyrics From the Satanic Panic's 'Filthy 15'". Loudwire. June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  13. ^ Fax: 33141000, Rådhuspladsen 37 1785 København V. Telefon: 33111313 (August 2019). "Legendarisk dansk band vender tilbage". Ekstrabladet.dk. Retrieved November 18, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "HANK SHERMANN Has Written 'Six Or Seven' New Songs For MERCYFUL FATE's Next Album". Blabbermouth.net. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  15. . Dannet foråret 1981 i København. [English: Formed in the spring of 1981 in Copenhagen.]
  16. ^ a b c "Mercyful Fate". AllMusic. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  17. ^ a b c d "King Diamond interviewed in 1997". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  18. ^ "Esbjergs største rockstjerne havde en destruktiv djævel". January 2, 2016.
  19. ^ a b c Björn Thorsten Jaschinski: Seziertisch. In: Rock Hard, no. 282, November 2010, p. 28.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Mercyful Fate - Band members". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  21. ^ "Mercyful Fate at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Melissa at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  23. ^ "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  24. . LaVey, som også var en ironisk mand, skabte en livsfilosofi, der ikke havde noget med religion at gøre, hvor der fandtes én Gud, der sagde, hvordan man skulle gøre [...] Ordet 'satanisme' skulle måske aldrig have været sat på den livsfilosofi, for det har kun givet grund til misforståelser og har ikke noget at gøre med kristendommens 'Satan', som er ét stort negativt fortegn. De 'satanistiske' tekster i Mercyful Fate gav os chancen for at forklare os på mange områder, men på samme tid gav de også anledning til en masse misforståelser. [English: LaVey, who was also a man given to irony, created a life philosophy, which had nothing to do with a religion that has one God, who says what one must do [...] The word 'Satanism' should perhaps never have been used to designate that life philosophy, because it has only provided grounds for misunderstandings and has nothing to do with 'Satan' of Christianity, which is one big negative characteristic. The 'satanic' lyrics of Mercyful Fate gave us the chance to explain ourselves in many ways, but they also gave the opportunity for a lot of misunderstandings at the same time.]
  25. ^ "Don't Break the Oath at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  26. ^ a b c d "King Diamond - Interview". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  27. ^ a b "King Diamond interviewed on the Music Box". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  28. ^ The complete biography of King Diamond
  29. ^ a b c d "King Diamond - Band members". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  30. ^ "King Diamond - Interview 1987". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  31. ^ a b c "Fate". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  32. ^ "The Beginning at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  33. ^ a b "Return of the Vampire at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  34. ^ "A Dangerous Meeting at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  35. ^ a b "In the Shadows at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  36. About.com. Archived from the original
    on October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  37. ^ "The Bell Witch at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  38. ^ "Time at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  39. ^ "Into the Unknown at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  40. ^ a b "Dead Again at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  41. ^ "9 at KingDiamondCoven.com". KingDiamondCoven.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  42. ^ "Force of Evil". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  43. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - KING DIAMOND: MERCYFUL FATE 'Is Definitely Not Finished, At Least In My Book'". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  44. ^ a b c d "King Diamong Comments On 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' Game Inclusion". Blabbermouth.net. February 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  45. ^ a b "Metallica Joined by Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, Armored Saint Members for Second 30th Anniversary Show". GuitarWorld.com. December 8, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  46. ^ Blabbermouth (January 30, 2017). "MERCYFUL FATE Honored At Denmark's STEPPEULVEN Awards". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  47. ^ Andrew Sacher (August 2, 2019). "Mercyful Fate's Timi Hansen sitting out reunion tour because he's battling cancer". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  48. ^ "MERCYFUL FATE Bassist TIMI HANSEN Dies After Battle With Cancer". Blabbermouth.net. November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  49. ^ "MERCYFUL FATE To Reunite For Summer 2020 European Festival Appearances". Blabbermouth.net. August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  50. ^ Griffiths, Dave (April 30, 2020). "MERCYFUL FATE Return To Their Origins". heavymag.com.au.
  51. ^ "KING DIAMOND Says MERCYFUL FATE Will Play New Nine-Minute Song On Upcoming Tour: 'It's Quite A Monster'". Blabbermouth.net. May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  52. ^ Kennelty, Greg (June 3, 2022). "MERCYFUL FATE Played Their First Show In 23 Years And They Sounded Fantastic". Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  53. ^ "MERCYFUL FATE Parts Ways With Bassist JOEY VERA". Blabbermouth.net. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  54. ^ "MERCYFUL FATE Announces New Bass Player BECKY BALDWIN". Blabbermouth.net. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  55. ^ "New MERCYFUL FATE Music Is 'On The Way', Says Bassist BECKY BALDWIN". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  56. ^ a b Dunn, Sam (2005). Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (motion picture). Seville Pictures.
  57. ^ Götz Kühnemund: A History of Horror. In: Rock Hard, no. 282, November 2010, p. 20-27.
  58. ^ a b "Mercyful Fate: Don't Break the Oath - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  59. ^ "On the Role of Clothing Styles In The Development of Metal – Part I". Metalstorm.ee. July 5, 2005. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  60. ^ "Chuck Schuldiner: Lust for Life". Guitar World. May 13, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  61. ^ "The Craft of Metal #2: Abominations of Desolation". deathmetal.org. August 9, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  62. ^ "Donald Tardy (Obituary) interview". metal-temple.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  63. ^ "CANNIBAL CORPSE's GEORGE 'CORPSEGRINDER' FISHER: Why I Love MERCYFUL FATE's 'Don't Break The Oath'". metaladdicts.com. March 23, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  64. ^ "The History of Metallica". Metallicaworld.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  65. ^ "TESTAMENT's Chuck Billy Says New Record Has Some MERCYFUL FATE & Black Metal Influences". Metal Injection. September 30, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  66. ^ "Exodus Family Tree — The Metal". givememetal.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  67. ^ "KREATOR Frontman: 'I Try Not To Sound Like Anyone Else'". Blabbermouth.net. April 15, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  68. ^ "Kerry King interviewed by Metal Hammer". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  69. ^ "Metallica performing "Mercyful Fate" w/King Diamond and Hank Shermann in 1999". YouTube. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  70. ^ "Metallica performing "Mercyful Fate" w/ King Diamond on August 9, 2008 in Dallas, Texas". Metallica.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  71. . Mercyful Fate har lavet to af de bedste heavyrock-plader nogensinde. Vi har været venner med dem i 23 år. Første gang jeg nogensinde spillede med på en anden plade, var med dem – jeg var i Dallas og lave Return of the Vampire i 1992. De har været en meget, meget stor inspiration for vores sound.

External links