Mercyful Fate

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

Mercyful Fate is a Danish band which helped inspire 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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  • Bloopy

    If King Diamond was a caterpillar, he'd be kunugia divaricata.

    Wednesday morning
  • morphinewaltz

    mercyful fate = black metal = satan

    Tuesday evening
  • Glamaster

    Lyrics =/= genres [2] Mercyful Fate is a killer traditional HEAVY METAL band!

    Monday evening
  • Avast_Matey

    I think Mercyful Fate are one of the most consistently great bands ever (content-wise, etc.); same league of groups such as Pixies or NWW. Disagree with you if you wish, but I find them to be transcendent of genre and all those other things.

    Sunday morning
  • fatalportrait99

    Can we save the genre nazi debates for the Cradle Of Filth shoutbox? Thank you. [2]

    last week
  • Ritual_Suicide

    Lyrics =/= genres.

    last week
  • iAdieux

    needs more satan.

    last week
  • yogzor

    Satan = black metal. End of discussion. Coven is one of the first black metal acts.

    11 days ago
  • Midrel

    @cashmerestylz I think you had too much drink o.o

    12 days ago
  • Midrel

    Why must you guys drown in a glass of water?

    13 days ago
  • RawheatC

    I existed before I was even a thing. Makes sense.

    15 days ago
  • Vipey

    This was black metal before black metal was a thing. [2]

    15 days ago
  • xdevilbunny

    bunch of punk kids talking about this isn't black metal. this was black metal before black metal was a thing.

    15 days ago
  • morphinewaltz

    Euronymous talking about freedom and life-living, c'mon man, who the fuck cares about what where his opinions.

    16 days ago
  • RawheatC

    ""Never accept any band which preaches Church of Satan ideas, as they are just a bunch of freedom and life-loving atheists, and they stand exactly the opposite of me" - Euronymous " Euronymous is the last person whose advice I'd take seriously.

    17 days ago
  • Ugly13

    I dont give a fuck about opinions of Varg, Euronymous or Fenriz!

    18 days ago
  • RavenousGunther

    I'm never breaking the oath.

    19 days ago
  • MadThrasher678

    @Austin_Rac: Your point is moot.

    20 days ago
  • MadThrasher678

    "Never accept any band which preaches Church of Satan ideas, as they are just a bunch of freedom and life-loving atheists, and they stand exactly the opposite of me" - Euronymous

    20 days ago
  • Austin_Rac

    "In a way, it can be ordinary heavy metal or just noise. What's important is that it's Satanic; that's what makes it black metal"- Euronymous.

    20 days ago
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