finetune artist: 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 (b. Rene Krolmark, Denmark; ex-Brats). Benny Petersen (guitar), Old Nick (drums), and C. Volsing (guitar) featured on early demos, but the original line-up coalesced around King Diamond, Shermann, Michael Denner (guitar; ex-Brats), Timi "Grabber" Hansen (bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums). The band's first vinyl appearance was with "Black Funeral" on the Metallic Storm compilation. The four-track EP Mercyful Fate (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 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 prompted legal action from Kiss' Gene Simmons over alleged similarities to his "God Of Thunder" persona).

Listen to Mercyful Fate at Finetune.

Evil
Curse of the Pharaohs
Melissa
Come To The Sabbath
A Dangerous Meeting