Mercyful Fate
Encyclopedia
Mercyful Fate was a Danish
heavy metal
band from Copenhagen
. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond
decided to continue his solo career. They are cited as major influences by many artists in the black metal
, thrash metal
, power metal
, and progressive metal
genres.
, Denmark
in 1981 from the remaining members of Hank Shermann
's band Brats
and King Diamond
's band Black Rose
. In early 1981 they helped out Michael Denner
with demos for his band Danger Zone. Soon, Shermann, Denner, Diamond, and Denner's bass player Timi Grabber
realized their potential as a unit and started performing as Mercyful Fate. The band experienced the usual member changes for a new band, as Denner left (and later returned). In addition, the drummer position was a revolving door, but Kim Ruzz finally established himself as the drummer.
label Rave On. The EP was released in 1982 and included material that would later inspire the black metal genre.
Continuing the EP, the band released their debut studio album, Melissa, in 1983 and their follow-up album, Don't Break the Oath
, in 1984. Both are now considered by many to be classics in both the heavy metal, power metal, and first wave black metal genres. Following the tour in support of Don't Break the Oath, which saw them play in the United States
for the first time, King Diamond split ways with the band in April 1985 as a result of frustration over creative differences with Hank Shermann. With him, Diamond brought band mates Hansen and Denner to found a new band under his own name
. Mercyful Fate disbanded shortly after. Diamond's new venture continued the tradition of Mercyful Fate, but with a more progressive, conceptual twist to it. In response, Shermann formed the band Fate
, which pursued a more melodic rock direction.
. All the original members without Kim Ruzz (replaced by Morten Nielsen
) reformed and released their third studio album, In the Shadows
, in 1993. The album featured a re-recording of "Return of the Vampire", with Metallica
drummer, Mercyful Fate enthusiast and fellow Dane Lars Ulrich
playing on the track. In the years since, the band has released four other studio albums, with the last being 9
. Similar to the band's first run, members have left and been replaced; Michael Denner left and was replaced by Mike Wead
, Nielsen was later replaced by Snowy Shaw
who was then replaced by Bjarne Holm, Timi Hansen left quickly and was replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo
. The lineup remained the same for Time
and The Bell Witch EP
. Snowy Shaw was then replaced by Bjarne Holm on drums.
Unfortunately, Michael Denner had also parted ways with the band at this point, to stay with his wife and family. His replacement was Mike Wead, who recorded with the band on Dead Again and 9, and has proven to be a sufficient replacement for Denner.
formed Force of Evil
, which incorporates many of the themes of the original Mercyful Fate. In a March 2008 interview, King Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", but had never split up. Though he does not know when the band will become active again, he stated "It's definitely not finished, at least in my book."
In 2008, King Diamond was approached for the use of Mercyful Fate's songs (and his own image) on the musical Guitar Hero: Metallica
(as
Metallica
themselves cite the band as an influence and even recorded a medley of their songs simply titled "Mercyful Fate" on their cover album Garage Inc.
). After King agreed, he later found out that the original master recording
s of the chosen songs in question ("Evil" "Curse of the Pharaohs" and "Into the Coven") were lost. So instead of searching on the unlikeliest places, King decided to bring the almost-original lineup back together (Hank Shermann
, Michael Denner
and Timi Hansen
with Bjarne T. Holm sitting in on drums) and they re-recorded the songs specifically for the game (though "Curse of the Pharaohs" was cut from the final game due to gameplay reasons). Around the release date of the game, a promotional single featuring both re-recordings was released by their label Metal Blade.
Asked in June 2010 what are upcoming plans for Mercyful Fate, guitarist Hank Shermann
replied, "We have a DVD coming out with the early years, likely sometimes in early 2011! Should be interesting with a lot of never-before-seen footage and how it all started. I'm sure we'll record a new Mercyful Fate album in the future; we just need to get the timeframe framed and then some patience."
The skull was inspiration behind the album Melissa, and the title track of the album is very different from the rest of the album, as it is much slower than the other songs (which are speedier and more aggressive). The lyrics tell of a male protagonist (usually identified as King Diamond himself by fans) who lost the love of his life, who was a witch who was burnt at the stake by a Catholic
priest
. The story builds itself up around the emotions of the protagonist, who first feels sadness and uncertainty, hope for her to still be alive, and then rage over his loss. He swears revenge on the priest who burnt her, proclaiming he must die in the name of hell
. The song ends with a whisper that hints Melissa's spirit is still with the protagonist. The other songs contain themes and events that hint and relate to Melissa's burning, in effect gathering every song in a loose concept & overall context.
The second song Melissa appears on is on the album Don't Break the Oath in the song "Come to the Sabbath", once again at the climax of the album. The lyrics tell about a Satanic
coven
holding a sabbath
, in which the protagonist emerges to perform a ritual to "put an evil curse on the priest who took the life of Melissa". Though she is not the focus of the lyrics this time, because of her mention the song is known as a "Melissa song". Additionally, one of the main characters on the King Diamond album "Them" was named "Missy", which is a common diminutive of Melissa.
The final song Melissa appears in is on Mercyful Fate's reunion album In the Shadows on the song "Is That You, Melissa?". The lyrics tell of the protagonist once again in sorrow about the loss of his love. He begins to hear her voice and goes to the coven to have them perform a ritual to speak with her ghost
. The coven objects, saying it is against the rules. The protagonist is visited by Melissa's spirit who shares a kiss with the protagonist. The subject of the song is argued by some; one side says the lyrics are not a continuation of the Melissa story but a tribute by the band to their past, while the other side sees it as the end of the Melissa story. She is the girl on the album cover of "In the Shadows" facing the old oak tree
. After In the Shadows, Melissa has not been mentioned any more in both lyrics and artwork.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond
King Diamond
Kim Bendix Petersen , better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Grammy Award nominated Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond...
decided to continue his solo career. They are cited as major influences by many artists in the black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
, thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
, and progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
genres.
Formation (1981-1982)
Mercyful Fate was founded in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 1981 from the remaining members of Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann is a Danish heavy metal guitarist. He began playing guitar in 1977.Shermann is best known for his work with Mercyful Fate, a band influential on Metallica. He has also played with the groups Brats, Fate, Zoser Mez, Gutrix, Virus 7, and his last main focus, Force Of Evil...
's band Brats
Brats (band)
Brats was a Danish band formed in 1977 as a punk band. Original line-up featured Hank Shermann on guitar, vocalist Franz De Zaster, drummer Eddie Haircut and bassist Mickey Rat...
and King Diamond
King Diamond
Kim Bendix Petersen , better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Grammy Award nominated Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond...
's band Black Rose
Black Rose (band)
Black Rose was a Danish hard rock / heavy metal band with King Diamond on vocals. The band was started in 1979, largely inspired by bands such as Judas Priest , Deep Purple and Golden Earring. King Diamond already had a very theatrical stage act, for which he later got fame in Mercyful Fate...
. In early 1981 they helped out Michael Denner
Michael Denner
Michael Denner is a Danish heavy metal guitarist.Denner is a fourth generation musician. Denner is known for playing a Gibson Flying V guitar. He lists his inspirations as Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker and Ollie Halsall. He was a member of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond amongst others...
with demos for his band Danger Zone. Soon, Shermann, Denner, Diamond, and Denner's bass player Timi Grabber
Timi Hansen
Timi "Grabber" Hansen is a Danish bass player. He played in the Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate from 1981 to 1985 and from 1992 to 1993, and King Diamond from 1985 to 1987.He plays with his finger rather than a guitar pick....
realized their potential as a unit and started performing as Mercyful Fate. The band experienced the usual member changes for a new band, as Denner left (and later returned). In addition, the drummer position was a revolving door, but Kim Ruzz finally established himself as the drummer.
Main career and disbandment (1982-1985)
In early 1982, Mercyful Fate contributed to the Ebony Records sampler Metallic Storm. Later on in the year, the band recorded their first material, The Mercyful Fate EP, on vinyl for the DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
label Rave On. The EP was released in 1982 and included material that would later inspire the black metal genre.
Continuing the EP, the band released their debut studio album, Melissa, in 1983 and their follow-up album, Don't Break the Oath
Don't Break the Oath
-Personnel:*King Diamond - Vocals, Keyboards, Harpsichord*Hank Shermann - Guitars*Michael Denner - Guitars* Timi "Grabber" Hansen - Bass*Kim Ruzz - Drums...
, in 1984. Both are now considered by many to be classics in both the heavy metal, power metal, and first wave black metal genres. Following the tour in support of Don't Break the Oath, which saw them play in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the first time, King Diamond split ways with the band in April 1985 as a result of frustration over creative differences with Hank Shermann. With him, Diamond brought band mates Hansen and Denner to found a new band under his own name
King Diamond (band)
King Diamond is the heavy metal band that King Diamond formed after the split up of his heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, and the departure of Hank Shermann. He was joined by most members of the then defunct Mercyful Fate. The Satanic focus was replaced by a focus on horror stories...
. Mercyful Fate disbanded shortly after. Diamond's new venture continued the tradition of Mercyful Fate, but with a more progressive, conceptual twist to it. In response, Shermann formed the band Fate
Fate (band)
Fate, Danish heavy metal band originally formed in 1984. They released four albums between 1984-1990 before disbanding in 1993. However after a one-off reunion at a German music festival in 2004, Fate was reformed and released a new album, V, in 2006...
, which pursued a more melodic rock direction.
Reunion (1992-1999)
Mercyful Fate reformed in July 1992 and signed a contract with Brian Slagel's Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
. All the original members without Kim Ruzz (replaced by Morten Nielsen
Morten Nielsen
Morten Nielsen may refer to:*Morten Nielsen , Danish footballer*Morten Nielsen , Danish footballer*Morten Nielsen , former Danish footballer...
) reformed and released their third studio album, In the Shadows
In the Shadows (album)
-Credits:* King Diamond - Vocals* Michael Denner - Guitars* Hank Shermann - Guitars* Timi Hansen - Bass guitar* Snowy Shaw - Drums * Morten Nielsen - drums* John Marshall - Harpsichord, Drums* Lars Ulrich - Drums on "Return of the Vampire"...
, in 1993. The album featured a re-recording of "Return of the Vampire", with Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
drummer, Mercyful Fate enthusiast and fellow Dane Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
playing on the track. In the years since, the band has released four other studio albums, with the last being 9
9 (Mercyful Fate album)
-Credits:*King Diamond – Vocals*Hank Shermann – Guitar*Mike Wead – Guitar*Sharlee D'Angelo – Bass*Bjarne T. Holme – Drums...
. Similar to the band's first run, members have left and been replaced; Michael Denner left and was replaced by Mike Wead
Mike Wead
Mike Wead is a Swedish guitarist who lives in Stockholm. Wead contributed to heavy metal bands such as Hexenhaus, Memento Mori, Abstrakt Algebra, The Haunted, Edge of Sanity, Witch, Firegod, Candlemass, The Project Hate. Currently Wead is the guitarist of Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, and bibleblack...
, Nielsen was later replaced by Snowy Shaw
Snowy Shaw
Snowy Shaw, born Tommie Helgesson in 25 July 1968, is a Swedish heavy metal musician , based in the port city of Gothenburg in the west coast of Sweden. He has played with many heavy metal bands, like King Diamond, Dream Evil, Mercyful Fate, IllWill, Notre Dame and Memento Mori...
who was then replaced by Bjarne Holm, Timi Hansen left quickly and was replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo
Sharlee D'Angelo
Sharlee D'Angelo is the bassist for Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, as well as the Swedish hard rock band Spiritual Beggars.Sharlee has also been in various bands in the past, either as a studio session player or full member. Some of these include IllWill and Mercyful Fate as well as...
. The lineup remained the same for Time
Time (Mercyful Fate album)
-Personnel:*King Diamond - Vocals, Harpsichord, Keyboards*Hank Shermann - Guitars*Michael Denner - Guitars*Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass*Snowy Shaw - Drums...
and The Bell Witch EP
The Bell Witch EP
The Bell Witch is a short, promotional EP released by Mercyful Fate to herald the band's reunion album. It features two tracks off In the Shadows, of which one is based on the American legend of The Bell Witch, plus four live tracks. The EP was released in 1994...
. Snowy Shaw was then replaced by Bjarne Holm on drums.
Unfortunately, Michael Denner had also parted ways with the band at this point, to stay with his wife and family. His replacement was Mike Wead, who recorded with the band on Dead Again and 9, and has proven to be a sufficient replacement for Denner.
Hiatus (2000-present)
Following the release of 9, King Diamond put Mercyful Fate on hold and continued his solo career. Shermann, Denner, Holm and (King Diamond Bass player) Hal PatinoHal Patino
Hal Patino is a bass guitar player who has been a member of the King Diamond and Force of Evil metal bands. He also played in Blakk Totem, Maltese Falcon, Palladion and Doctor Butcher....
formed Force of Evil
Force of Evil (band)
Force of Evil was a Danish 5-piece heavy metal band formed by the twin guitarists of Mercyful Fate, Michael Denner and Hank Shermann. They joined forces with Hal Patino, Bjarne T. Holm and Martin Steene, all known for their performance with King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Iron Fire.-Formation:Force...
, which incorporates many of the themes of the original Mercyful Fate. In a March 2008 interview, King Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", but had never split up. Though he does not know when the band will become active again, he stated "It's definitely not finished, at least in my book."
In 2008, King Diamond was approached for the use of Mercyful Fate's songs (and his own image) on the musical Guitar Hero: Metallica
Guitar Hero: Metallica
Guitar Hero: Metallica is a music video game developed by Neversoft and distributed by Activision. The game was released in North America on the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 on March 29, 2009 and on PlayStation 2 on April 14, 2009, with a European release in May 2009...
(as
Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
themselves cite the band as an influence and even recorded a medley of their songs simply titled "Mercyful Fate" on their cover album Garage Inc.
Garage Inc.
-Disc two:These tracks are a collection of B-sides from artists Metallica were inspired by, throughout the early years of the band.-Personnel:* James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar on "Whiskey In the Jar"...
). After King agreed, he later found out that the original master recording
Master recording
A multitrack recording master tape, disk or computer files on which productions are developed for later mixing, is known as the multi-track master, while the tape, disk or computer files holding a mix is called a mixed master.It is standard practice to make a copy of a master recording, known as...
s of the chosen songs in question ("Evil" "Curse of the Pharaohs" and "Into the Coven") were lost. So instead of searching on the unlikeliest places, King decided to bring the almost-original lineup back together (Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann is a Danish heavy metal guitarist. He began playing guitar in 1977.Shermann is best known for his work with Mercyful Fate, a band influential on Metallica. He has also played with the groups Brats, Fate, Zoser Mez, Gutrix, Virus 7, and his last main focus, Force Of Evil...
, Michael Denner
Michael Denner
Michael Denner is a Danish heavy metal guitarist.Denner is a fourth generation musician. Denner is known for playing a Gibson Flying V guitar. He lists his inspirations as Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker and Ollie Halsall. He was a member of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond amongst others...
and Timi Hansen
Timi Hansen
Timi "Grabber" Hansen is a Danish bass player. He played in the Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate from 1981 to 1985 and from 1992 to 1993, and King Diamond from 1985 to 1987.He plays with his finger rather than a guitar pick....
with Bjarne T. Holm sitting in on drums) and they re-recorded the songs specifically for the game (though "Curse of the Pharaohs" was cut from the final game due to gameplay reasons). Around the release date of the game, a promotional single featuring both re-recordings was released by their label Metal Blade.
Asked in June 2010 what are upcoming plans for Mercyful Fate, guitarist Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann
Hank Shermann is a Danish heavy metal guitarist. He began playing guitar in 1977.Shermann is best known for his work with Mercyful Fate, a band influential on Metallica. He has also played with the groups Brats, Fate, Zoser Mez, Gutrix, Virus 7, and his last main focus, Force Of Evil...
replied, "We have a DVD coming out with the early years, likely sometimes in early 2011! Should be interesting with a lot of never-before-seen footage and how it all started. I'm sure we'll record a new Mercyful Fate album in the future; we just need to get the timeframe framed and then some patience."
Melissa
"Melissa" is the name of a skull King Diamond used to carry on stage, and also a fictional deceased witch that appears in three songs. Before the recordings of the album Melissa, King Diamond had acquired a human skeleton that he named "Melissa". He used the femur bones to make his trademark microphone handle. The skull was apparently stolen during a show in the Netherlands in the mid-1980s. In August 2006, it was rumored that the skull had been returned, but these rumours were proved false.http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=57435The skull was inspiration behind the album Melissa, and the title track of the album is very different from the rest of the album, as it is much slower than the other songs (which are speedier and more aggressive). The lyrics tell of a male protagonist (usually identified as King Diamond himself by fans) who lost the love of his life, who was a witch who was burnt at the stake by a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. The story builds itself up around the emotions of the protagonist, who first feels sadness and uncertainty, hope for her to still be alive, and then rage over his loss. He swears revenge on the priest who burnt her, proclaiming he must die in the name of hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
. The song ends with a whisper that hints Melissa's spirit is still with the protagonist. The other songs contain themes and events that hint and relate to Melissa's burning, in effect gathering every song in a loose concept & overall context.
The second song Melissa appears on is on the album Don't Break the Oath in the song "Come to the Sabbath", once again at the climax of the album. The lyrics tell about a Satanic
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
coven
Coven
A coven or covan is a name used to describe a gathering of witches or in some cases vampires. Due to the word's association with witches, a gathering of Wiccans, followers of the witchcraft-based neopagan religion of Wicca, is also described as a coven....
holding a sabbath
Sabbath (witchcraft)
The Witches' Sabbath or Sabbat is a supposed meeting of those who practice witchcraft, and other rites.European records indicate cases of persons being accused or tried for taking part in Sabbat gatherings, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century or later.- Etymology :The English word “sabbat”...
, in which the protagonist emerges to perform a ritual to "put an evil curse on the priest who took the life of Melissa". Though she is not the focus of the lyrics this time, because of her mention the song is known as a "Melissa song". Additionally, one of the main characters on the King Diamond album "Them" was named "Missy", which is a common diminutive of Melissa.
The final song Melissa appears in is on Mercyful Fate's reunion album In the Shadows on the song "Is That You, Melissa?". The lyrics tell of the protagonist once again in sorrow about the loss of his love. He begins to hear her voice and goes to the coven to have them perform a ritual to speak with her ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
. The coven objects, saying it is against the rules. The protagonist is visited by Melissa's spirit who shares a kiss with the protagonist. The subject of the song is argued by some; one side says the lyrics are not a continuation of the Melissa story but a tribute by the band to their past, while the other side sees it as the end of the Melissa story. She is the girl on the album cover of "In the Shadows" facing the old oak tree
Oak Tree
Oak Tree may refer to:*Oak, the tree*Oak Tree, County Durham, a village in County Durham, England*The Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run aid and development agency*Oak Tree National, golf club in Edmond, Oklahoma...
. After In the Shadows, Melissa has not been mentioned any more in both lyrics and artwork.
Current members
- King DiamondKing DiamondKim Bendix Petersen , better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Grammy Award nominated Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1981–1985, 1992–present) - Hank ShermannHank ShermannHank Shermann is a Danish heavy metal guitarist. He began playing guitar in 1977.Shermann is best known for his work with Mercyful Fate, a band influential on Metallica. He has also played with the groups Brats, Fate, Zoser Mez, Gutrix, Virus 7, and his last main focus, Force Of Evil...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1981–1985, 1992–present) - Sharlee D'AngeloSharlee D'AngeloSharlee D'Angelo is the bassist for Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, as well as the Swedish hard rock band Spiritual Beggars.Sharlee has also been in various bands in the past, either as a studio session player or full member. Some of these include IllWill and Mercyful Fate as well as...
- bass (1993–present) - Bjarne T. Holm - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1994–present) - Mike WeadMike WeadMike Wead is a Swedish guitarist who lives in Stockholm. Wead contributed to heavy metal bands such as Hexenhaus, Memento Mori, Abstrakt Algebra, The Haunted, Edge of Sanity, Witch, Firegod, Candlemass, The Project Hate. Currently Wead is the guitarist of Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, and bibleblack...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1996–present)
Former members
- Michael DennerMichael DennerMichael Denner is a Danish heavy metal guitarist.Denner is a fourth generation musician. Denner is known for playing a Gibson Flying V guitar. He lists his inspirations as Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker and Ollie Halsall. He was a member of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond amongst others...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1981, 1982–1985, 1992–1996, 2008) - Timi HansenTimi HansenTimi "Grabber" Hansen is a Danish bass player. He played in the Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate from 1981 to 1985 and from 1992 to 1993, and King Diamond from 1985 to 1987.He plays with his finger rather than a guitar pick....
- bass (1981–1985, 1992–1993, 2008) - Kim Ruzz - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1981–1985) - Tommie "Snowy ShawSnowy ShawSnowy Shaw, born Tommie Helgesson in 25 July 1968, is a Swedish heavy metal musician , based in the port city of Gothenburg in the west coast of Sweden. He has played with many heavy metal bands, like King Diamond, Dream Evil, Mercyful Fate, IllWill, Notre Dame and Memento Mori...
" Helgesson - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1993–1994)
Session members
- Old Nick - drums (1981)
- Lars UlrichLars UlrichLars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
- drums (1993) - Morten Nielson - drums (1993)
Studio albums
- Melissa (1983)
- Don't Break the OathDon't Break the Oath-Personnel:*King Diamond - Vocals, Keyboards, Harpsichord*Hank Shermann - Guitars*Michael Denner - Guitars* Timi "Grabber" Hansen - Bass*Kim Ruzz - Drums...
(1984) - In the ShadowsIn the Shadows (album)-Credits:* King Diamond - Vocals* Michael Denner - Guitars* Hank Shermann - Guitars* Timi Hansen - Bass guitar* Snowy Shaw - Drums * Morten Nielsen - drums* John Marshall - Harpsichord, Drums* Lars Ulrich - Drums on "Return of the Vampire"...
(1993) - TimeTime (Mercyful Fate album)-Personnel:*King Diamond - Vocals, Harpsichord, Keyboards*Hank Shermann - Guitars*Michael Denner - Guitars*Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass*Snowy Shaw - Drums...
(1994) - Into the UnknownInto the Unknown (Mercyful Fate album)Into the Unknown is the fifth album by Mercyful Fate, released by Metal Blade Records in 1996.Into the Unknown is the most commercially successful Mercyful Fate album to date. It peaked at #31 in the Finnish Charts, remaining for two weeks in the Top 40...
(1996) - Dead Again (1998)
- 99 (Mercyful Fate album)-Credits:*King Diamond – Vocals*Hank Shermann – Guitar*Mike Wead – Guitar*Sharlee D'Angelo – Bass*Bjarne T. Holme – Drums...
(1999)
Compilation albums
- The BeginningThe Beginning (Mercyful Fate album)The Beginning is a compilation album by Mercyful Fate released in 1987 consisting of the Nuns Have No Fun EP and 5 other rare tracks.-Track listing:#"Doomed by the Living Dead" – 5:07#"A Corpse Without Soul" – 6:52#"Nuns Have No Fun" – 4:17...
(1987) - Return of the VampireReturn of the VampireReturn Of The Vampire is a compilation album of rare demo tracks by Mercyful Fate recorded before their first, official release in 1982. It is released in 1992 by Roadrunner Records RRD 9184.-Track listing:...
(1992) - A Dangerous Meeting (1992)
- The Best of Mercyful FateThe Best of Mercyful FateThe Best of Mercyful Fate is a compilation album by the band Mercyful Fate from years 1982-1984.-Track listing:#"Doomed by the Living Dead" – 5:08#"A Corpse Without Soul" – 6:56...
(2003)
Extended plays
- The Mercyful Fate EP (1982)
- The Bell WitchThe Bell Witch EPThe Bell Witch is a short, promotional EP released by Mercyful Fate to herald the band's reunion album. It features two tracks off In the Shadows, of which one is based on the American legend of The Bell Witch, plus four live tracks. The EP was released in 1994...
(1994)