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. With him, Diamond brought band mates Hansen and Denner to found a new band under his own name. Diamond's new venture continued the tradition of Mercyful Fate, but with a more progressive, conceptual twist to it. In response, Hank Shermann formed the band Fate, which pursued a more AOR direction.
Reunion
In July 1992, the band reformed and signed a contract with Brian Slagel's Metal Blade Records. All the original members without Kim Ruzz (replaced by Morten Nielsen) reformed and released In the Shadows in 1993. The album featured a re-recording of "Return of the Vampire", with Metallica drummer and Mercyful Fate enthusiast Lars Ulrich playing on the track. In the years since, the band has released four other albums, with the last being 9. Similar to the band's first run, members have left and been replaced; Michael Denner left and was replaced by Mike Wead, Drummer Nielsen was later replaced by Snowy Shaw who was then replaced by Bjarne Holm, Bassist Timi Hansen left quickly and was replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo. Following the release of 9 (1999), King Diamond put Mercyful Fate on hold and continued his solo career. Shermann, Denner, Holm and (King Diamond Bass player) Hal Patino formed Force of Evil, which incorporates many of the themes of the original Mercyful Fate.
In a March, 2008 interview, King Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", but had never split up. Though he does not know when the band will become active again, he said "It's definitely not finished, at least in my book.". With the Re-union in 1993, the same lineup returned for the album and European tour, with the exception of Drummer Kim Ruzz, who was replaced by Snowy Shaw. Bassist Timi Hansen also left after the European leg of the tour, and was replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo.
The Lineup remained the same for "Time" and "Into the Unknown". Snowy Shaw was then replaced by Bjarne Holm on drums.
Unfortunatley, Michael Denner had also parted ways with the band at this point, to stay with his wife and family. His replacement was Mike Wead, who recorded with the band for "Dead Again" As well as "9" and has proven to be a sufficient replacement for Michael Denner.
Melissa
"Melissa" is the name of a skull King Diamond used to carry on stage, and also a fictional deceased witch that appears in three songs. Before the recordings of the album Melissa, King Diamond had acquired a human skeleton that he named "Melissa". He used the femur bones to make his trademark microphone handle. The skull was apparently stolen during a show in the Netherlands.
The skull was inspiration behind the album Melissa, and the title track of the album is very different from the rest of the album, as it is much slower than the other songs (which are speedier and more aggressive). The lyrics tell of a male protagonist (usually identified as King Diamond himself by fans) who lost the love of his life, who was a witch who was burnt at the stake by a Catholic priest. The story builds itself up around the emotions of the protagonist, who first feels sadness and uncertainty, hope for her to still be alive, and then rage over his loss. He swears revenge on the priest who burnt her, proclaiming that he must die in the name of hell. The song ends with a whisper that hints Melissa's spirit is still with the protagonist.
The second song Melissa appears on is on the album Don't Break the Oath in the song "Come to the Sabbath", once again at the climax of the album. The lyrics tell about a Satanic coven holding a sabbath, in which the protagonist emerges to perform a ritual to "put an evil curse on the priest who took the life of Melissa". Though she is not the focus of the lyrics this time, because of her mention the song is known as a "Melissa song". Additionally, one of the main characters on the King Diamond's album Them was named "Missy", which is a common diminutive of Melissa.
The final song Melissa appears in is on Mercyful Fate's reunion album In the Shadows on the song "Is That You, Melissa?". The lyrics tell of the protagonist once again in sorrow about the loss of his love. He begins to hear her voice and goes to the coven to have them perform a ritual to speak with her ghost. The coven objects, saying that it is against the rules. The protagonist is visited by Melissa's spirit who shares a kiss with the protagonist. The subject of the song is argued by some; one side says the lyrics are not a continuation of the Melissa story but a tribute by the band to their past, while the other side sees it as the end of the Melissa story. It is widely accepted that she is the girl on the album cover of "In the Shadows" facing the old oak tree. After In the Shadows, Melissa has not been mentioned any more in both lyrics and artwork.
On August 1, 2019, it was announced that Mercyful Fate would be performing an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe in the summer of 2020. The band's line-up consists of King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann on guitar, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, Mike Wead on guitar and Joey Vera on bass, the latter of whom was filling in for Timi Hansen, who was battling cancer; Vera then became their full-time bass player after Hansen died on November 4, 2019, shortly after his 61st birthday. Aside from previously released material, the band was also going to perform new songs over the course of the summer.
In a May 2020 interview with Heavy magazine, Shermann said that he had "written six or seven songs" for the band's new album. On June 2, 2022, Mercyful Fate performed their first live show since 1999 in Hanover as part of a European tour, where they debuted a brand new song titled "The Jackal of Salzburg"
IN 2022, Becky Baldwin, a British musician who has previously played with Fury, Triaxisand Control The Storm. filled in for regular bassist Joey Vera, who had scheduling conflicts with his longtime band Armored Saint.
Evil
Mercyful Fate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
I was born on the cemetery
Under the sign of the moon
Raised from my grave by the dead
I was made a mercenary
In the legions of hell
Now I'm king of pain, I'm insane
[SOLO: HANK]
You know my only pleasure
Is to hear you cry
I'd love to hear you cry
I'd love to feel you die
And I'll be the first
To watch your funeral
And I'll be the last to leave
I'd love to hear you cry
[SOLO: HANK]
And when you're down beyond the ground
I'll dig up your body again
And make love to shame
Oh lady cry, and say goodbye
Oh lady cry, and say goodbye
You've gotta say goodbye
'Cause I will eat your mind
[SOLO: MICHAEL & HANK & MICHAEL]
The song "Evil" by Mercyful Fate begins with the speaker declaring that they were born on a cemetery "under the sign of the moon". They were subsequently raised from their grave by the dead and made a mercenary in the legions of hell. The speaker claims that they are the king of pain and insane. This imagery sets the stage for a dark and ominous story.
The speaker's only pleasure is to hear people cry and they express their desire to hear someone cry and die. They even imagine watching their funeral and being the last to leave. The lyrics take a grotesque turn as the speaker talks about digging up someone's body to "make love to shame". The song ends with the speaker telling their victim they must say goodbye because they will eat their mind.
The lyrics of "Evil" are chilling and paint a picture of pure darkness. The song captures the essence of Mercyful Fate's signature sound, blending traditional heavy metal with gothic and occultist themes.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born on the cemetery
I was brought into this world in a grim, eerie place of the dead
Under the sign of the moon
My birth was marked by the presence of a full moon
Raised from my grave by the dead
I have been given undead life, called forth by the lifeless corpses that surround me
I was made a mercenary
I am a puppet, controlled by the forces of hell to do their bidding
In the legions of hell
I am but one of the many soldiers of the devil, fighting his battles on Earth
Now I'm king of pain, I'm insane
I have become the master of suffering and madness, embodying these traits in everything that I do
You know my only pleasure
The only thing that brings me joy is the pain and suffering of others
Is to hear you cry
I take pleasure in the sound of my victim's agony, the sound of their tears and screams
I'd love to hear you cry, I'd love to feel you die
The ultimate delight for me is to watch you suffer and die at my hand
And I'll be the first to watch your funeral
I'll be the first to witness your demise and watch as you are lowered into the ground
And I'll be the last to leave
I'll linger, savoring the aftermath and the sorrow of your passing
And when you're down beyond the ground
When you're buried six feet under
I'll dig up your body again
I'll exhume your corpse, defiling both your remains and your memory
And make love to shame
I'll commit depraved acts to your corpse, driven only by my own twisted desires
Oh lady cry, and say goodbye
I want to witness your despair and agony as I bring about your doom
You've gotta say goodbye
You must find the strength to let go and accept your fate, for I am the harbinger of death
'Cause I will eat your mind
I will leave nothing of you behind, erasing your memory and devouring what is left of your soul
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANK SHERMANN, KIM BENDIX PETERSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PRHILL9696
Quotes from famous musician and High ranking Church of Satan member and very close friend to Anton LaVey - King Diamond "Satanism is about the Powers of the Unknown. I have had hundreds of strange supernatural experiences with the occult, the other side, the beyond, whatever you want to call it that proves there is a spiritual world that can cross over into our world. Satanism is a life philosophy so within it you can have your own religion, any religion you want. Or take from various religions or your own whatever makes you happy. I have my own beliefs and Religiously Satan on a spiritual level stands for the Powers of Darkness, the Powers of the Unknown which are always all around us at all times. This is the best way to talk about these Spirits and Powers. Not a god or a devil as both of them are christian god's and that has nothing to do with Satanism. Of course there are different types of satanism. And I never wear gold as that is not healthy for you!
Must need something bad and use that during ritual then you might be able to get help from these powers I believe are all around us. But that is only if they like you. I do not believe in the two christians beings god or the Devil, I believe in the Powers of the Unknown, Powers of Darkness, The Powers of the Occult what ever name you want to use. . I have done Satanic Rituals and have seen and heard spirits.
Some people like to call "Them" God or the Devil or whatever, but I do not believe there is all one good and one all bad power. I believe there are many, many different Spirits and Powers that exist and that they are not good or evil, like humans they have both inside of them and I always treat them with the highest amount of respect and feel that respect returned by Them. It is massive mutual respect. Not Power, but Powers, Big difference. I believe we are one and the same me and these Unknown Forces. You really have to respect them for the incredible power they have. I believe they come to those who they feel can handle it and who will be faithful believers." In the song "Welcome Princess of Hell" you hear me singing to these spirits and powers and they sing back to me. They came to me to let me know they are here for me on my journey and that they are behind me and that they wish me good luck so I see them as my protectors almost like guardian angels. We all live several lives so that our powers/souls can grow in order to reach a higher plane and join with something greater. Our powers live in a human shell several times that will enable us to go on to a new life form a higher plane of being or join one day with a larger greater force. But 99 percent of the population live by the Satanic Philosophy whether they know it or not. As Anton LaVey even told me that Satanism is simply a life philosophy and NOT a religion. Satanism is based on logic and things that are proven which is why it could never be a religion as religion is based on things that cannot be proven.
And that’s why I say that these powers of darkness are always welcome in my home. It’s as if the powers of the unknown came and said ‘Hey, we will stay with you and help you.’ That’s what I feel.” When I almost died during surgery I saw my body below as a demon tried to enter my soul and I had to fight him! These things are very real!
Personally I do not use electrical lighting at home and on my Satanic Altar or in the studio when I record vocals, only black candles as electrical lighting drives away the spirits and I love having them near me. People who see Satanism from the Christian view point are not treating these powers with respect and that is very dangerous. I once actually summoned a spirit in order to prove they are real to a girl who doubted and Satan came. My wife will not look in our mirror in fear something will come out.
In Satanism you are your own God. LaVey felt and I agree that we are all individuals born with different needs and views and so he felt everyone should make up their own mind about what to believe in spiritually if anything at all which is why he left a huge void in the Satanic Bible when it came to spirituality or any kind of religious beliefs and so within the Satanic Philosophy a person can still be a Christian if that fulfills their spiritual needs. Satan also means the Opposite, Inverted, Reversed which is why we wear the Satanic crosses and pentagrams. Satan means the opposite of religion. Satanism is living out your feelings and instincts without feeling it is a sin, enjoy yourself while you are here now while you can and have your own individual beliefs. One thing I consider almost mandatory though is believing there are powers around us. And you can use these powers to help yourself or those you care about. Or throw these powers at people in a negative way. I am not religious at all but you can say I am spiritual due to my experiences and beliefs. The Satanic bible is not really a bible because a bible is for religion so it should be called a book of philosophy instead. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
When people see the word ‘Satan’ they see only negative. Satan is not only bad, to me. It represents both sides of everything. I don’t believe in the Christian devil.
“Christianity has both God and the devil. I believe there is neither of these two. I believe in the powers of the unknown, which I have experienced many times. I know that rituals work. I don’t do them often because you can easily misuse them. They will get back at you if you don’t respect them. Rituals can channel the forces that surround us all the time but I respect the powers and will not abuse them in any way. The Satanic Bible is 70 percent Philosophy and 30 percent magic. Satan is the power of the universe. Satan to me is the Powers of Darkness, not a man with horns. Some people think Satanism is what the Christian church portrays it to be. If you are as bad and as evil as you can be and you think that’s Satanism then you have become part of the Christian religion. That is Christian Satanism which is not what I am about at all. I know these powers are good because they have saved my life!
PRHILL9696
Quotes from famous musician and High ranking Church of Satan member and very close friend to Anton LaVey - King Diamond "Satanism is about the Powers of the Unknown. I have had hundreds of strange supernatural experiences with the occult, the other side, the beyond, whatever you want to call it that proves there is a spiritual world that can cross over into our world. Satanism is a life philosophy so within it you can have your own religion, any religion you want. Or take from various religions or your own whatever makes you happy. I have my own beliefs and Religiously Satan on a spiritual level stands for the Powers of Darkness, the Powers of the Unknown which are always all around us at all times. This is the best way to talk about these Spirits and Powers. Not a god or a devil as both of them are christian god's and that has nothing to do with Satanism. Of course there are different types of satanism. And I never wear gold as that is not healthy for you!
Must need something bad and use that during ritual then you might be able to get help from these powers I believe are all around us. But that is only if they like you. I do not believe in the two christians beings god or the Devil, I believe in the Powers of the Unknown, Powers of Darkness, The Powers of the Occult what ever name you want to use. . I have done Satanic Rituals and have seen and heard spirits.
Some people like to call "Them" God or the Devil or whatever, but I do not believe there is all one good and one all bad power. I believe there are many, many different Spirits and Powers that exist and that they are not good or evil, like humans they have both inside of them and I always treat them with the highest amount of respect and feel that respect returned by Them. It is massive mutual respect. Not Power, but Powers, Big difference. I believe we are one and the same me and these Unknown Forces. You really have to respect them for the incredible power they have. I believe they come to those who they feel can handle it and who will be faithful believers." In the song "Welcome Princess of Hell" you hear me singing to these spirits and powers and they sing back to me. They came to me to let me know they are here for me on my journey and that they are behind me and that they wish me good luck so I see them as my protectors almost like guardian angels. We all live several lives so that our powers/souls can grow in order to reach a higher plane and join with something greater. Our powers live in a human shell several times that will enable us to go on to a new life form a higher plane of being or join one day with a larger greater force. But 99 percent of the population live by the Satanic Philosophy whether they know it or not. As Anton LaVey even told me that Satanism is simply a life philosophy and NOT a religion. Satanism is basically Humanism. Satanism is based on logic and things that are proven which is why it could never be a religion as religion is based on things that cannot be proven.
And that’s why I say that these powers of darkness are always welcome in my home. It’s as if the powers of the unknown came and said ‘Hey, we will stay with you and help you.’ That’s what I feel.” When I almost died during surgery I saw my body below as a demon tried to enter my soul and I had to fight him! These things are very real!
Personally I do not use electrical lighting at home and on my Satanic Altar or in the studio when I record vocals, only black candles as electrical lighting drives away the spirits and I love having them near me. People who see Satanism from the Christian view point are not treating these powers with respect and that is very dangerous. I once actually summoned a spirit in order to prove they are real to a girl who doubted and Satan came. My wife will not look in our mirror in fear something will come out.
In Satanism you are your own God. LaVey felt and I agree that we are all individuals born with different needs and views and so he felt everyone should make up their own mind about what to believe in spiritually if anything at all which is why he left a huge void in the Satanic Bible when it came to spirituality or any kind of religious beliefs and so within the Satanic Philosophy a person can still be a Christian if that fulfills their spiritual needs. Satan also means the Opposite, Inverted, Reversed which is why we wear the Satanic crosses and pentagrams. Satan means the opposite of religion. Satanism is living out your feelings and instincts without feeling it is a sin, enjoy yourself while you are here now while you can and have your own individual beliefs. One thing I consider almost mandatory though is believing there are powers around us. And you can use these powers to help yourself or those you care about. Or throw these powers at people in a negative way. I am not religious at all but you can say I am spiritual due to my experiences and beliefs. The Satanic bible is not really a bible because a bible is for religion so it should be called a book of philosophy instead. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
When people see the word ‘Satan’ they see only negative. Satan is not only bad, to me. It represents both sides of everything. I don’t believe in the Christian devil.
“Christianity has both God and the devil. I believe there is neither of these two. I believe in the powers of the unknown, which I have experienced many times. I know that rituals work. I don’t do them often because you can easily misuse them. They will get back at you if you don’t respect them. Rituals can channel the forces that surround us all the time but I respect the powers and will not abuse them in any way. The Satanic Bible is 70 percent Philosophy and 30 percent magic. Satan is the power of the universe. Satan to me is the Powers of Darkness, not a man with horns. Some people think Satanism is what the Christian church portrays it to be. If you are as bad and as evil as you can be and you think that’s Satanism then you have become part of the Christian religion. That is Christian Satanism which is not what I am about at all. I know these powers are good because they have saved my life!
Tom Cat
I was born on the Cemetery
Under the Sign of the Moon
Raised from my Grave by the Dead
I was made a Mercenary
In the Legions of hell
Now I'm King of Pain, I'm insane
You know my only Pleasure
Is to hear you cry
I'd love to hear you cry
I'd love to feel you die
And I'll be the First
To watch your Funeral
And I'll be the Last to leave
I'd love to hear you cry
And when you're down beyond the Ground
I'll dig up your Body again
And make Love to Shame
Oh Lady cry, and say Goodbye
Oh Lady cry, and say Goodbye
You've gotta say Goodbye
'Cause I will eat your Mind
SPIROS KOUFOS
Timeless...
LYRICS :
[Verse 1]
I was born on the cemetery
Under the sign of the moon
Raised from my grave, by the dead
I was made a mercenary
In the legions of Hell
Now I'm king of pain, I'm insane
[Bridge]
You know, my only pleasure
Is to hear you cry
I'd love, to hear you cry
I'd love, to feel you die
And I'll be the first
To watch your funeral
And I'll be the last, to leave
I'd love, to hear you cry
[Verse 2]
And when you're down, beyond the ground
I'll dig up your body again
And make love to shame
Oh lady cry, and say goodbye
Oh lady cry, and say goodbye
You've gotta say goodbye
'Cause I will eat your mind
fantagor
I was at a record store in 1985, at the import section. I pulled out Don't Break the Oath. A tall metal dude next to me said, "Get it, it's good." I bought it. The rest is history.
RAM
I rarely get so invested to the stoty,but this is it!
Benny Andersen
Me too, I bought it and have it still, a masterpiece
L3M0NV1B3ZZ
Dude deserves a medal lol.
Ed falconi
Record Stop on Long Island was my spot. They had the best selection of metal. Got Queensryche Black album there. Along with Don't Break the Oath. Accept, Venom, Judas and everything else. Listening to the Oath the first time was unbelievable. As you say. The rest was history.
Michigan Scythian
I was introduced to Mercyful Fate in the early 90s by my horseback riding instructor, lol. I was a newbie metalhead, into Metallica and Megadeth and she loaned me some Mercyful Fate cassettes. I’m sure my parents were thrilled, lol.
Broccoli Highkicks
Man, Timi was one of the unsung heroes of metal bass. Should be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Steve Harris and Cliff Burton, imo.
ENDTYME - Occult Rock
…and Geezer Butler of course
David Bolger
And Lemmy Kilmister and Algy Ward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee
He was a more creative player than Steve Harris. One of 80s metal's greats.