MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath - Roadrunner netherlands 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The Vinyl, The Legend, The Ritual

The album cover for &quote;Don't Break the Oath&quote; by Mercyful Fate features a dark, fiery design. A skeletal, demonic figure with hollow, glowing eyes and large, twisted horns stares directly ahead. The figure extends a long, clawed finger toward the viewer, creating an intense, unsettling effect. The background is engulfed in swirling flames, with vivid shades of yellow, orange, and red that enhance the infernal atmosphere. In the top right corner, the band’s name, *Mercyful Fate*, appears in a blood-red, gothic-style font, and the album title, &quote;Don't Break the Oath&quote;, is below it in a blackletter font. The artwork captures themes of horror and mysticism, reflecting the dark, heavy music within.

This page is a deep dive into Don’t Break the Oath, Mercyful Fate’s 1984 masterpiece of sinister riffs, occult atmospheres, and King Diamond’s banshee wail. Packed with high-res album scans, track details, and recording insights, it’s a shrine to one of metal’s most influential records. Every groove, every lyric, every note is a gateway to the abyss—enter if you dare.

Essentials of: MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
Summary:

"Don't Break the Oath" is the second studio album by Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, released in 1984. The album was recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, and produced by Henrik Lund. "Don't Break the Oath" is considered to be one of the most important albums in the history of heavy metal, and it helped to establish Mercyful Fate as one of the leading bands in the genre.

The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Satanism and the occult, and they feature King Diamond's trademark theatrical vocals. The music is a mix of traditional heavy metal and progressive elements, and it features some of the most memorable guitar riffs in the genre. The album's standout tracks include "A Dangerous Meeting", "Night of the Unborn", and "The Oath".

"Don't Break the Oath" was a commercial success, and it helped to raise Mercyful Fate's profile in the metal world. The album was certified gold in Denmark, and it reached #12 on the Norwegian album chart. The album has since been praised by critics and fans alike, and it is considered to be one of the most important albums in the history of heavy metal.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal, Death Metal

Label & Catalognr:

 RoadrunneR Records RR 9835

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1984 Made in Netherlands for European distribution

Production & Recording Information
Album Packaging

This 12" LP vinyl music record comes with a so called original custom inner sleeve with black background colour, photos of King Diamond and the Mercyful Fate band-members and lyrics of all the songs on this album.

Producers:

Henrik Lund - Producer

Henrik Lund (Music Producer, Sound Engineer) founded Easy Sound Studio with his brother, Niels Erik Lund (Producer, Sound Engineer). He played a key role in shaping Danish heavy metal, producing numerous albums, including several by Mercyful Fate. His work helped define the sound of Denmark’s metal scene, making Easy Sound Studio a crucial part of its history.
Sound & Recording Engineers:

Henrik Lund - Sound Engineer

Niels Erik Otto - Sound Engineer

Niels Erik Otto has been sound engineer of heavy metal albums "Metal Rush" by "Maltese Falcon" and "Mercyful Fate's" "Don't Break the Oath"

Recording Location:

Easy Sound Recording, Copenhagen, May 1984

Easy Sound Studios a Danish recording studio established in 1974 by brothers Henrik Lund and Niels Erik Lund in the basement of their parents villa in Hellerup, a northern suburb to Copenhagen. In 1982 it was moved to central Copenhagen, into the premises of former movie theater Triangel Teatret on Østerbrogade 70 where it became the largest recording studio for rock music in Europe.

 

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Thomas Holm, Studio Dzyan

Thomas Holm, the mastermind behind King Diamond’s most haunting album covers, defined the band’s chilling aesthetic during the late 1980s. His eerie, intricate artwork for Abigail (1987), Them (1988), and Conspiracy (1989) set the standard for horror-infused metal visuals, blending dark fantasy with gothic horror. His legacy lives on through these iconic designs.

Studio Dzyan, the creative powerhouse helmed by artists Thomas Holm and Torbjörn Jörgensen, is renowned for its striking album cover designs. Their visionary artwork has graced the releases of legendary bands like Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, and Spartan Warrior, blending dark atmospheres with intricate detail to define the visual identity of heavy metal’s most iconic records.

 

Photography:

Ole Bang - Photographer

Ole Bang ( Photographer ) During the 1980's Ole Bang has done much of the photo work for Mercyful Fate and King Diamond albums.

Musicians:
  • Vocals - King Diamond (Real name: Kim Bendix Petersen, ex- Brainstorm, ex- Blackrose, ex- Brats, ex- Danger Zone,)
    King Diamond (born Kim Bendix Petersen) emerged in the 1980s as a pioneering force in heavy metal. Fronting Mercyful Fate and later his solo band, his piercing falsetto and occult storytelling redefined the genre. Albums like Melissa (1983) and Abigail (1987) cemented his legacy as a theatrical metal visionary. Explore the World of King Diamond.
  • Guitars - Hank Shermann
    Rene Krolmark is from Denmark and was born in 1958. He is also known under the aliases Hank De Wank, Hank Shermann started his musical career as guitar player in 1977 with a band called Brats, this was followed by "Danger Zone", "Mercyful Fate", Fate, Lavina, "Zoser Mez"
  • Guitars - Michael Denner (ex- Brats, ex- Danger Zone, ex- Mercyful Fate, ex- King Diamond, ex- Lavina, ex- Force of Evil)
    Michael Denner, a Danish heavy-metal guitarist, is best known for his work with Mercyful Fate and King Diamond bands, where his intricate solos and dark, melodic riffs helped define the band’s occult-laced sound. Playing on classics like Melissa (1983) and Don’t Break the Oath (1984), his contributions shaped heavy metal’s evolution.
  • Bass - Timi "Grabber" Hansen (ex- Danger Zone, ex- Mercyful Fate, ex- King Diamond, ex- Lavina)
    Timi “Grabber” Hansen (5 October 1958 – 4 November 2019) was a Danish bassist best known for his work with Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. His thunderous bass lines helped define the band’s dark, heavy sound, influencing generations of metal musicians. A key figure in the early black metal scene, his legacy remains strong. Learn more about Timi Hansen.
  • Drums - Kim Ruzz -(real name: Kim Thyge Jensen)
    Kim Ruzz (born Kim Thyge Jensen) was the drummer for Mercyful Fate on their first three releases, helping shape the band’s early black metal sound. His stage name was inspired by Rush, his favorite band. After Mercyful Fate disbanded in 1985, Ruzz stepped away from drumming and later relocated to the United States.
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. A Dangerous Meeting 5:10
  2. Nightmare 6:19
  3. Desecration of Souls 4:54
  4. Night of the Unborn 4:59
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. The Oath 7:31
  2. Gypsy 3:08
  3. Welcome Princes of Hell 4:03
  4. To One Far Away 1:31
  5. Come to the Sabbath 5:19
High Resolution & Quality Photos
Front Cover Photo Of MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
The album cover for &quote;Don't Break the Oath&quote; by Mercyful Fate features a dark, fiery design. A skeletal, demonic figure with hollow, glowing eyes and large, twisted horns stares directly ahead. The figure extends a long, clawed finger toward the viewer, creating an intense, unsettling effect. The background is engulfed in swirling flames, with vivid shades of yellow, orange, and red that enhance the infernal atmosphere. In the top right corner, the band’s name, *Mercyful Fate*, appears in a blood-red, gothic-style font, and the album title, &quote;Don't Break the Oath&quote;, is below it in a blackletter font. The artwork captures themes of horror and mysticism, reflecting the dark, heavy music within. https://vinyl-records.nl

The album cover for "Don't Break the Oath" by Mercyful Fate is striking and intense, capturing the dark, supernatural themes of the music. Dominating the artwork is a menacing, skeletal figure with a demonic face, staring forward with hollow, glowing eyes. Large, curved horns extend from the figure's skull, lending it an otherworldly, devilish appearance. The face is partially obscured by swirling flames that bathe the background in hues of yellow, orange, and red, giving an impression of the figure emerging from an inferno. The skeletal figure points outward, with a long, clawed finger directed at the viewer, creating an unsettling sense of direct engagement. The band's name, *Mercyful Fate*, appears in the top right corner in a gothic, blood-red typeface, while the album title, "Don't Break the Oath", is inscribed just below in a blackletter-style font. The overall effect of the cover is one of dark allure, combining elements of horror and mysticism to visually reflect the heavy, occult themes within the album's music.

Photo Of The Back Cover MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
High Resolution Photo #11 MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath https://vinyl-records.nl
Photo of the custom inner sleeve MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
High Resolution Photo #12 MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath https://vinyl-records.nl
Photo of the custom inner sleeve MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
High Resolution Photo #13 MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath https://vinyl-records.nl
Close up of the record's label
High Resolution Photo #7 MERCYFUL FATE Dont Break The Oath

The MERCYFUL FATE Vinyl Discography and Album Cover Gallery

MERCYFUL FATE - The Beginning
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - Beginning with King Diamond 12" Vinyl LP Album album front cover

RoadrunneR RR 9603   , 1987 , Holland / The Netherlands

The definitive collector's addition to the Mercyful Fate Catalogue featuring the band's official pre-Melissa recordings - The legendary Rave-On sessions (Fully re-mastered) The BBC "Friday Rock Show"

The Beginning 12" Vinyl LP
MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - Don't Break The Oath 12" Vinyl LP Record album front cover

 RoadrunneR RR 9835 , 1984 , Made in Holland ( The Netherlands)

"Don’t Break the Oath" isn’t just an album—it’s a blood pact sealed in fire. Mercyful Fate, led by the inhuman wail of King Diamond, pushed heavy metal into the abyss with this 1984 masterpiece. Riffs slash like ritual daggers, drums pound like a death march, and every lyric drips with infernal menace. This is where the genre’s shadows deepened, where metal stopped playing dress-up and embraced true darkness.

Don't Break The Oath 12" Vinyl LP
MERCYFUL FATE - Live From The Depth Of Hell
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - Live From The Depth Of Hell 12" Vinyl LP Album album front cover

Satan's Nightmare SN1002 , 1984 , UK ( United Kingdom )

This album "MERCYFUL FATE From the Depth of Hell" is an unofficial (bootleg record) album of this band of Mercyfull Fate. Title on the front cover and record's label are slightly different.

Live From The Depth Of Hell 12" Vinyl LP
MERCYFUL FATE - Live From The Depth Of Hell Red Vinyl
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - From The Depths Of Hell Red Vinyl 12" LP Album album front cover

Satan's Nightmare SN 1002 , 2013

This album is an unofficial (bootleg) album of this band Mercyfull Fate. Limited to 500 copies reissue on red vinyl. Classic and ultra hard to find semi official Mercyful Fate fan club recordings.

Live From The Depth Of Hell Red Vinyl 12" Vinyl LP
MERCYFUL FATE - Melissa (International Releases)
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - Melissa Bernett France 1983 12" LP ALBUM VINYL album front cover

Bernett Records SB 18011 , 1984 , France

Melissa isn’t just a debut—it’s a declaration of war. Mercyful Fate, led by King Diamond’s banshee wail, tore open the gates of hell with this 1983 masterpiece. Henrik Lund’s production gave the record a raw, sinister edge, while Hank Shermann and Michael Denner’s twin guitars carved out the blueprint for black metal. Dark, theatrical, and utterly relentless, Melissa is where metal learned to stare into the abyss.

- Melissa French Release Melissa Canadian Release Melissa Netherlands Release
MERCYFUL FATE - Return Of The Vampire Compilation
Thumbnail of MERCYFUL FATE - Return Of The Vampire Compilation 12" LP Vinyl Album album front cover

RoadrunneR RR 9184 , 1992 , Holland ( The Netherlands )

"Return of the Vampire" is the compilation album of rare demo tracks by Mercyful Fate recorded before their first, official release in 1982. It is also released in 1992 by Roadrunner Records RR 9184.

Return Of The Vampire Compilation 12" Vinyl LP
Rave-On Hits Hard Mercyful
Thumbnail of VARIOUS ARTISTS - Rave-On Hits Hard Mercyful Fate 12" LP Vinyl Record album front cover

Rave-On Records RLP-011 , 1985 , Netherlands

This album "VA Rave-On Hits Hard" includes tracks by the bands: Mercyful Fate , Astaroth, H-Bomb, Crossfire, Evil, H-Bomb, Gilgamasj, Sortilege. It was produced by Stefan Rooyackers, Jac Hustinx.

Rave-On Hits Hard Mercyful Fate 12" Vinyl LP

The King Diamond Band Vinyl Discography and Album Cover Gallery