MERCYFUL FATE: Into the Unknown

Oh well. Formed in 1981 in Denmark, MERCYFUL FATE released two immensely popular, groundbreaking LPs in 1983 (“Melissa”) and 1984 (“Don’t Break The Oath”), standing out in two very good years not only because of the magnificent guitar duo of Hank Shermann (GUTRIX, FORCE OF EVIL, FATE) and Michael Denner (KING DIAMOND, FORCE OF EVIL) and the unique vocals of King Diamond (KING DIAMOND), but also because of the overt Satanism in the lyrics. Everyone seems to have forgotten that “Come To The Sabbath” was one of the songs Tipper Gore crusaded against in the mid-80s. Anyhow, they broke up in 1985 before getting back together in 1993. A lot of folks don’t like the albums MERCYFUL FATE released after the reunion. As a metal reviewer, I am expected to be crass, so I will give them the one-fingered salute. This isn’t the same as early 80s MERCYFUL FATE - the sound is more modern, the bass mixed way down and the songs usually aren’t as long. That said, “the king is dead, long live the king.” “Lucifer” is a fairly pointless intro, a Satanic rendition of the Lord’s Prayer. “The Uninvited Guest” smashes in, pounding across the landscape to a great shred. Denner and Shermann are just awesome together as King Diamond breaks out the falsetto and the varied vocals we’ve come to love. The guitars are crunchy and crackling, the drums fast yet purposeful. This is how you open an album.


Track Listing

Lucifer
The Uninvited Guest
Ghost Of Change
Listen To The Bell
Fifteen Men (And A Bottle Of Rum)
Into The Unknown
Under The Spell
Deadtime
Holy Water
Kutulu (The Mad Arab Part Two)

link 1 - http://lix.in/053353
link 2 - http://lix.in/11a32d
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