MERCYFUL FATE - MELISSA BERNETT FRANCE KING DIAMOND 12" Vinyl LP Album

Album Description & Collectors information:

"Mercyful Fate" was a Danish heavy metal band formed in 1981 in Copenhagen. The band consisted of vocalist King Diamond, guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen, and drummer Kim Ruzz. Their debut album, Melissa, released in 1983, established the band as one of the leading forces in the emerging genre of black metal. The album's dark imagery, occult themes, and theatrical vocals set a benchmark for the genre, influencing countless bands in the years that followed.

The musical and lyrical content of Melissa were instrumental in shaping the sound and image of black metal. The album's music is characterized by fast, complex guitar riffs, rapid-fire drumming, and King Diamond's high-pitched, theatrical vocals. The album's opening track, "Evil," sets the tone for the entire record, with its ominous, foreboding melody and sinister lyrics. Other tracks, such as "Curse of the Pharaohs" and "Black Funeral," continue in this vein, with lyrics that explore dark themes such as death, the occult, and Satanism.

The album's title track, "Melissa," is a standout track that showcases the band's range and versatility. The song opens with a haunting, acoustic guitar intro before exploding into a full-throttle metal assault. King Diamond's vocals on this track are particularly impressive, showcasing his ability to move effortlessly from a whisper to a scream.

Melissa's impact on the world of heavy metal cannot be overstated. The album's dark, occult themes and theatrical vocals helped to create a blueprint for the black metal genre, which would go on to influence countless bands in the years that followed. The album's impact can be seen in the work of bands such as Mayhem, Emperor, and Darkthrone, who all drew inspiration from Mercyful Fate's pioneering sound.

The album's legacy can also be seen in the continued success of King Diamond, who went on to have a successful solo career after leaving Mercyful Fate. King Diamond's influence on the world of heavy metal is undeniable, with bands such as Metallica, Slipknot, and Ghost all citing him as a major influence on their work.

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Album Production Information:

The album: "Mercyful Fate Melissa NL King Diamond" was produced by: Henrik Lund, Roadster Music
Notes: Henrik Lund founder of Easy Sound Studio and he produced many Danish album and several "Mercyful Fate" records.

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Jacob J Jorgenson
Notes: 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

Album cover design: Thomas Holm, Studio Dryan
Notes: Thomas Holm started his career as art designer in the early 1980's and has done the album covers for bands like: Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Spartan Warrior, Dark Heart.

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

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Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: MERCYFUL FATE MELISSA BERNETT FRANCE

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• King Diamond - Vocals

  Danish metal legend King Diamond. Shocking makeup, chilling falsetto vocals, and dark, theatrical concepts. A true master of horror-infused heavy metal. Explore his world

• Hank Shermann - Guitars

  Rene Krollmark 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: Mercyful Fate's guitar master. Iconic melodies, wicked solos, his riffs shaped heavy metal history. Explore his legacy

• Timi Grabber Hansen - Bass

  Timi "Grabber" Hansen: Mercyful Fate's bass legend. His powerful grooves shaped the sound of 80s heavy metal. Remember his legacy

• Kim Ruzz - Drums

  Kim Ruzz ( real name: Kim Thyge Jensen) has been playing drums from 1981-1985 in the Danish Thrash metal band: " Mercyful Fate".

Complete Track-listing of the album "MERCYFUL FATE MELISSA BERNETT FRANCE"

The detailed tracklist of this record "MERCYFUL FATE MELISSA BERNETT FRANCE" is:

Track-listing :
1. Evil 4:45
2. Curse of the Pharaohs 3:57
3. Into the Coven 5:11
4. At the Sound of the Demon Bell 5:23
5. Black Funeral 2:50
6. Satan's Fall 11:23
7. Melissa 6:40