Mercyful Fate

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Copenhagen, Denmark (1981 – 1985, 1992 – 1999)

Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band which helped inspire black metal through their lyrics and image.

The band was founded in Copenhagen, 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.

Several demos and live shows survive from 1981, including their infamous first concert “Sabbath of all witches” held in early/mid 1981.

In early 1982, the band contributed to the Ebony Records sampler Metallic Storm. Later on in the year, Mercyful Fate recorded its first official release, Mercyful Fate, on vinyl for the Dutch label Rave On. The release included heavy and evil material that would later inspire the black metal genre (although Venom and Bathory are as equally considered as the forefathers of black metal).

Following the EP, the band released Melissa in 1983 and Don’t Break the Oath in 1984, which are now considered by many to be classics in both the power metal and black metal genres. Following the tour (which saw them play in the United States for the first time) in support of Don’t Break the Oath, Diamond split ways with Mercyful Fate in April 1985 as a result of frustration over creative differences with Hank Shermann.

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Popular tags: heavy metal, black metal, metal, thrash metal, danish  See more

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Top Albums

• Melissa
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• Don't Break the Oath
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• In the Shadows
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• Time
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Top Tracks

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1		Evil			675
2		Curse of the Pharaohs			471
3		Into the Coven			374
4		A Dangerous Meeting			358
5		Black Funeral			318
6		Come to the Sabbath			311
7		Satan's Fall			307
8		Gypsy			288
9		Melissa			283
10		At the Sound of the Demon Bell			274
11		The Oath			260
11		Nightmare			260
13		Desecration of Souls			246
14		Night of the Unborn			221
15		To One Far Away			212

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