Mercyful Fate is one of the most influential and well-known metal bands in the world. It was formed in 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark, by the vocalist King Diamond and guitar player Hank Shermann (real name is Rene Krolmark). King came from a local band called Black Rose and Hank from a well-known punk band called Brats. After the release of their successful debut EP Mercyful Fate and their their first album the band splits up in 1985 due to musical differences. King Diamond went on to form his own self-titled band with Denner and Hansen while Hank formed a band called just Fate though not very similar to Mercyful Fate. Michael later joined Hank in a band called Zoser Mez.
In 1992 "Return Of The Vampire" is released, containing unreleased tracks put together by King. Soon after this he heard the recordings from Hank and Michael which sounded close to the original sound of Mercyful Fate. Therefore they decided to reform the band and release "In The Shadows" which was a big success. The band has since then continued to make great music.
Source: tartareandesire.com| King Diamond | Vocals | King Diamond, Usurper, Probot, Black Rose |
| Mike Wead | Guitar | King Diamond, Abstrakt Algebra, The Haunted, Edge of Sanity, Memento Mori, Hexenhaus, Maninnya Blade, Witch (Sweden) |
| Hank Shermann | Guitar | Force Of Evil, Virus 7, Zoser Mez, Gutrix |
| Sharlee DŽAngelo | Bass | Arch Enemy, Witchery, Illwill, Dismember, Sinergy |
| Bjarne T. Holm | Drums | Force Of Evil, Virus 7, Zoser Mez, Gutrix |
| Album | Year | Label |
| Nuns Have No Fun (EP) | 1982 | Rave On |
| Melissa | 1983 | Roadrunner Records |
| Dont Break The Oath | 1984 | Roadrunner Records |
| The Beginning | 1987 | Roadrunner Records |
| Return Of The Vampire | 1992 | Roadrunner Records |
| In The Shadows | 1993 | Metal Blade Records |
| The Bell Witch (MLP) | 1994 | Metal Blade Records |
| Time | 1994 | Metal Blade Records |
| Into The Unknown | 1996 | Metal Blade Records |
| Dead Again | 1998 | Metal Blade Records |
| 9 | 1999 | Metal Blade Records |