Nora
Senior Member
MERCYFUL FATE
Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, with lyrics dealing with Satan and the occult, Mercyful Fate were part of the first wave of black metal in the early to mid-1980s. Many of the bands from this movement went on to influence later black metal musicians in the 1990s, particularly in Norway. Since the band's inception in 1981, Mercyful Fate have released seven studio albums, two extended plays and four compilations.
Mercyful Fate were a part of the first wave of black metal, along with other groups, such as Venom, Bathory and Hellhammer. Many of these groups helped establish the style upon which future black metal artists would later build. Unlike the other first wave bands, typical elements of Mercyful Fate's style are influences from progressive rock, epic 1970s hard rock and traditional heavy metal. As many of the band's songs featured lyrics about Satanism and the occult and King Diamond was among the first black metal musicians to use the now famous corpse paint, Mercyful Fate was a pioneer in developing black metal, although their musical style was not as much an influence as that of other first wave bands.
Discography
Melissa (1983)
Don't Break the Oath (1984)
In the Shadows (1993)
Time (1994)
Into the Unknown (1996)
Dead Again (1998)
9 (1999)
Compilations Albums
The Beginning (1987)
Return of the Vampire (1992)
The Best of Mercyful Fate (2003)
Extended Plays
Mercyful Fate (1982)
The Bell Witch (1994)
Songs & Videos
Melissa
Witches Dance
Evil
A Dangerous Meeting
Satan's Fall
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