  
The history of the band.. during the early 80's Mercyful Fate was one of the first too seriously touch upon the themes of evil music and theattrical stage shows such as Kiss in the 70's but much more evil and demonic bloody shows..Mercyfuf Fate has a heavy Black Sabbath influence that lingers in this album and some of the music even sounding abit on the verge of the band Dokken, but the vocal reange of King Diamond ( and the way he ueses it)is astonishing and chilling to the bone that yet has't to be matched..
As you my know Mercyful Fate has had it's own share of problems with it's members over the years, but as the line up goes for this album is as such,,Kim Ruzz on the drums, Hank Shermman on the evil guitar, King Diamond on the vocals, Micheal Denner on the guitar and Timmi Grabber on the bass..The band origonaly formed in Europe in the ealy 80's bring a new era of black Metal to the U.S.when they signed with roadrunner records.Mellissa there 2nd release is the one album for Mercyful Fate that broke the camels back (so too speak) meaning they hit the big time here in the U.S.as they were in and around Europe..
There are 7 tracks on this album with the first being Evil, and the second , Curse of the Pharaohs, witch is a classic for this band ,many bands have remade this song including Metallica, but none has done the song well..also the third song on the album has been covered to "into the Coven",and as before no one has covered the song well..the other tracks are as follows, "At the sound of the Demon Bell", Black Funeral, Satan's fall, and finally the title track Melissa, witch is a great tune about king and a lovely witch named Melissa that he is in love with..Killer killer song..
I would have too say Mercyful Fate is the most wicked of the Black Metal thats of the intense vocals of King Diamond and the awesome guitar work of Hank Shermann and Michael Denner no one can match.
My favorit tune on this CD is got too be "curse of the Pharaohs" and "Satan's Fall". killer guitar riff and of course vocals on that trck a must see for all you Metal Heads out there. Soon I'll have some new Improts from king diamond and Mercyful Fate in my On-Line CD store so go check 'em out..bye for now "The King Rules"!!
 
| 
