Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by singer King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann >>>. Influenced by prog> and hard rock>, with lyrics related to satanism and occultism >>>, Mercyful Fate is a pioneering band of the first wave of black metal in the mid-1980s. Most bands linked to this movement have an influence on black metal in the 1990s, especially in Norway >>>. Since its inception in 1981, Mercyful Fate has released a total of seven studio albums, two extended plays and four compilations.
After many changes in their line-up and several recordings of self-produced demos, Mercyful Fate released his first eponymous EP titled Mercyful Fate in 1982 , with the line-up composed of King Diamond (vocals), Hank Shermann (guitar), Michael Denner (guitar), Timi Hansen (bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums). With this line-up, the band recorded these first two studio albums - Melissa in 1983, and in "> Do not Break the Oath in 1984 - until in 1985, the year in which the band broke up as a result of differences in musical tastes. In 1993, four of the five members of Mercyful Fate met again to record the album, "In the Shadows", published the same year. During the 1990s, the group released four more studio albums, and is still changing line-ups. Since 1999, the activity of Mercyful Fate remains unresolved, but resumes from time to time during the 2000s.
Mercyful Fate was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1981, following the dissolution of the Brats> group. Brats was previously a punk band / metal band, composed of future members of Mercyful Fate, singer King Diamond, and guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. After two studio albums, and changes in the line-up (including the departure of Denner), Diamond and Shermann starts recording new sounds more aggressive than those of Brats>. The band's record label, CBS, does not appreciate their new sound and their demand to sing in English for more lucrative purposes. As a result, Diamond and Shermann leave the group and form Mercyful Fate. After many changes in the line-up and demo recordings, Mercyful Fate released his first EP in "> Mercyful Fate in 1982 >>>. This line-up, composed of King Diamond, Hank Shermann, bassist Timi Hansen, drummer Kim Ruzz and guitarist Michael Denner> begin recording the first two studio albums of the band.
In July 1983, Mercyful Fate recorded their first album at the Easy Sound Recording label in Copenhagen, Denmark. Entitled Melissa, the album is produced by Henrik Lund and marketed on October 30, 1983 at Roadrunner Records. After a few concerts in Denmark, Mercyful Fate entered the studio in May 1984 to record their second album, "Do not Break the Oath", subsequently commercialized September 7, 1984>. During the promotional tour for the album, the band plays in the United States for two months and participates in some festivals in Germany. Despite their worldwide popularity, Mercyful Fate disbanded in April 1985 as a result of disputes among members over their musical tastes >>>>>. The guitarist Hank Shermann wanted to play a more commercial sound, but King Diamond refused and announced his departure from Mercyful Fate, which led the group to dissolve.
