Mercyful Fate's 'Melissa' ain't just music, it's a satanic sermon set to shredding guitars. King Diamond's vocals will haunt your dreams, and the riffs? They'll leave your soul begging for mercy #vinylrecords

Mercyful Fate's 'Melissa': The Devil's Music Made Flesh on Attic Records' Canadian Release

Album Description:

It was the early 1980s, and the world of heavy metal was undergoing a seismic shift. The raw, blues-based sound of the 70s was giving way to something darker, more theatrical, and undeniably heavier. Emerging from the cold, windswept landscapes of Denmark, Mercyful Fate, led by the enigmatic King Diamond, arrived like a spectral apparition, ready to usher in a new era of heavy metal grandeur. Their 1983 magnum opus, "Melissa," especially on the Canadian 12" vinyl release by Attic Records, remains a testament to their unholy power and a cornerstone of heavy metal's evolution.

"Melissa" was more than just an album; it was a Faustian pact with the listener, a descent into a realm where the boundaries between the earthly and the supernatural blurred. King Diamond, with his operatic vocals and ghoulish stage persona, became the embodiment of heavy metal's theatrical potential. His voice, soaring to glass-shattering highs and plunging to demonic lows, was a force of nature, capable of conjuring images of ancient rituals and forbidden knowledge.

The album's musical landscape was equally captivating. Hank Shermann and Michael Denner's twin guitar attack was a whirlwind of razor-sharp riffs and dizzying solos, weaving intricate tapestries of sound that were both technically impressive and emotionally evocative. The rhythm section of Timi Hansen and Kim Ruzz provided a thunderous foundation, driving the music forward with relentless energy.

Recorded at Easy Sound Recording in Copenhagen, Denmark, "Melissa" was produced by Henrik Lund, who managed to capture the raw intensity of the band's live performances while adding a layer of polish that enhanced the album's sonic impact. From the opening chords of the title track to the epic closing strains of "Satan's Fall," the album was a masterclass in heavy metal songwriting and musicianship.

Lyrically, "Melissa" delved into the darkest corners of the human psyche, exploring themes of the occult, black magic, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. King Diamond's storytelling was vivid and immersive, drawing the listener into a world of gothic horror and macabre fascination. The album's title track, a haunting ballad about a witch burned at the stake, remains one of heavy metal's most iconic and enduring compositions.

The Canadian release of "Melissa" on Attic Records was a pivotal moment in the band's history. It introduced Mercyful Fate to a wider audience, solidifying their reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting bands in heavy metal. The album's controversial themes and imagery sparked debate and outrage, but it also resonated with a generation of fans who were hungry for something more than just the standard heavy metal fare.

"Melissa" wasn't just an album; it was a statement of intent, a declaration that heavy metal could be more than just loud guitars and aggressive vocals. It could be a vehicle for artistic expression, a canvas for exploring the deepest recesses of the human soul. Mercyful Fate, with their groundbreaking music and theatrical flair, paved the way for countless bands to follow, leaving an indelible mark on the heavy metal landscape.

Music Genre:

Black Thrash Metal (Denmark)

Album Production Information:

The album: "Mercyful Fate Melissa NL King Diamond" was produced by: Henrik Lund, Roadster Music

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 Engineer(s): Jacob J Jorgenson

Jacob J. Jorgenson is a sound engineer from Denmark and has engineered several records of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond.

This album was recorded at: Easy Sound Recording Copenhagen, July 1983

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: 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.

Album cover photography: Thomas Grondahl

Notes: Thomas Grondahl is a Danish photographer and has been working for the album covers of the bands: Mercyful Fate, Geisha

Record Label & Catalognr:

Attic Records LAT 1187

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play Gramophone Record

Album weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1983 Made in Canada

Band Members and Musicians on: Mercyful Fate Melissa

King Diamond - Vocals
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.
Hank Shermann - Guitars
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"
Michael Denner - Guitars
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.
Timi "Grabber" Hansen - Bass
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.
Kim Ruzz - Drums
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.

Complete Track Listing of: "Melissa"

The Songs/tracks on "Melissa " are

Evil 4:45

Curse of the Pharaohs 3:57

Into the Coven 5:11

At the Sound of the Demon Bell 5:23

Black Funeral 2:50

Satan's Fall 11:23

Melissa 6:40

Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Mercyful Fate Melissa

Album cover of the Canadian release of Mercyful Fate’s 1983 debut album, Melissa. The artwork features a dark, demonic skull with glowing red eyes and mouth, partially obscured by streaks of red mist. The band’s name, ‘Mercyful Fate,’ is displayed in an old English-style yellow font in the top left corner, while the album title, ‘Melissa,’ appears in jagged red script at the bottom left. The eerie design reflects the album’s occult and heavy metal themes. — The Canadian release of Melissa, the 1983 debut album from Mercyful Fate, carries the same haunting, infernal artwork as other editions but with subtle variations depending on the pressing. The cover is dominated by the now-iconic skull-like demon head, partially obscured by swirling streaks of deep red, as if engulfed in spectral flames. Its eyes and gaping maw glow with a hellish intensity, complementing the album’s dark lyrical themes of witchcraft, the occult, and fate itself.

The band logo, written in an old English-style yellow font, sits ominously in the top left corner, while the album title Melissa is scrawled in blood-red, jagged script along the lower left, giving the impression of an eerie whisper from the beyond. The Canadian pressing, like other early editions, was released on Roadrunner Records and licensed through Banzai Records, one of Canada’s premier distributors for heavy metal imports in the ’80s.

This Canadian version is highly sought after by collectors, particularly the Banzai “Metal Blade” pressing, which features the distinctive Banzai Records maple leaf logo on the back cover or labels. Some versions may also have unique catalog numbers or slight color variations in the print.

Overall, the Melissa Canadian release retains the sinister, spectral essence of Mercyful Fate’s aesthetic, making it one of the defining early black metal and heavy metal album covers of the era.

This is the Canadian vinyl pressing of Melissa by Mercyful Fate, released by Attic Records under the catalog number LAT 1187. The label features a cream-colored background with black text, maintaining a clean and minimalist design. At the top, the Attic Records logo is prominently displayed in bold black serif letters over a red rectangular background.

The album title, Melissa, appears in quotation marks beneath the band’s name, Mercyful Fate, which is printed in capital letters in a standard black font. The side indicator (Side 1) is printed on the left, with the playback speed (33 1/3 rpm) directly below it. The tracklist for Side 1 is centered, showing the song titles, their durations, and credits for songwriting, production, and publishing.

Around the outer edge of the label, there is a fine-print copyright warning, stating: “Unauthorized copying, public performance, and/or broadcasting is prohibited.” It also includes a Made in Canada notice, confirming this as a Canadian pressing of Melissa.

This edition was licensed from Roadrunner Productions B.V., which originally released the album in Europe. The Attic Records version was a significant Canadian distribution, bringing the album to North American metalheads during the early days of Mercyful Fate’s influence on the underground heavy metal scene.