Mercyful Fate
This seminal black metal act was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1980 by vocalist King Diamond (b. Kim Bendix Petersen, 14 June 1956, Copenhagen, Denmark) and guitarist Hank Shermann with Michael Denner (guitar), Timi Grabber Hansen (bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums). The band's first vinyl appearance was with Black Funeral on the METALLIC STORM compilation, before A CORPSE WITHOUT SOUL (AKA NUNS HAVE NO FUN) saw the full debut of their heavy yet intricate guitar-based approach, and of King Diamond's unique vocal style, which ranged from deep bass growls to falsetto shrieks. MELISSA , with a name taken from the human skull then owned by Diamond and used as a stage prop, fulfilled Mercyful Fate's promise, and the band became one of the mainstays of the black metal underground with their occult lyricism and theatrical approach (though Diamond's facial make-up later drew legal action from Kiss' Gene Simmons over alleged similarities to his ‘God Of Thunder’ persona). DON'T BREAK THE OATH was a more mature work as the band reaped the benefits of extensive touring with a tighter sound. However, when they regrouped after further successful live work to record a third album, Shermann's determination to pursue a surprising AOR direction saw the band split, with Diamond going on to a solo career with Hansen and Denner in tow while Shermann formed Fate. The posthumous release of IN THE BEGINNING, containing the debut mini-album plus BBC session tracks, seemed to be an epitaph for Mercyful Fate. However, the heavier approach of Shermann and Denner's Zoser Mez led to the reformation of the old band, with Ruzz replaced by Morten Nielsen on IN THE SHADOWS, and by Snowy Shaw on tour (the latter taking up the position permanently). The record harked back to DON'T BREAK THE OATH'S style, and also featured a guest appearance by Metallica's Lars Ulrich on Return Of The Vampire, a song resurrected form the band's second demo in 1982. Before 1994's TIME Hansen would be replaced on bass by Sharlee D'Angelo, as the group toured the US with Flotsam & Jetsam and Cathedral (live recordings from which were released as THE BELL WITCH EP). When TIME did emerge it provided unexpected diversions, with the Middle-Eastern flavour of The Mad Arab and the serenity of Witch's Dance rubbing shoulders with more traditional Mercyful Fate concerns (Nightmare Be Thy Name, etc.).