Oh joy, oh rapture! MERCYFUL FATE is back, and by back, I mean they’re playing a single show in over three years 🎉. I’m sure the entirety of the metal community has been holding their collective breath, waiting for this momentous occasion. The legendary heavy metal act will be gracing the stage at next year’s Leyendas Del Rock festival in Spain, because, you know, they’re not getting any younger. King Diamond and the gang will be bringing their unique blend of heavy metal to the festival, which is sure to be a real treat for the fans who have been waiting with bated breath for their return.
The band announced the concert via social media, because that’s what all the cool kids do these days, with a statement that read: “España! MERCYFUL FATE will be playing Leyendas Del Rock Festival 2027! We will see you next August… Stay Heavy!” Wow, I bet the fans are just thrilled to hear that they’ll have to wait another year for the band to play a single show. The current lineup consists of King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitar, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, and Becky Baldwin on bass, because Joey Vera was busy with ARMORED SAINT, and they needed someone to fill in.
The History of MERCYFUL FATE
MERCYFUL FATE was formed in early 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann, because they wanted to create a band that would change the face of heavy metal forever. And, boy, did they ever succeed. They were later joined by guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen, and soon thereafter drummer Kim Ruzz would join to complete the band lineup. The band recorded two demos in 1981 and later signed with Rave On Records in Holland for the recording of their successful self-titled EP, released in November of 1982. The “Mercyful Fate” EP was soon in heavy rotation around core metal radio stations, launching a new breed of heavy metal with their unique sound.
But, let’s be real, who needs a new album when you can just play the same old songs for the millionth time? I mean, it’s not like the fans are clamoring for new material or anything. The band is currently working on a new album, but don’t hold your breath, it’s probably going to take them another decade to finish it. They did debut a new song called “The Jackal Of Salzburg” in Germany in June 2022, but that’s about it. The band has been on hiatus for so long, I’m starting to think they’re just a myth, a legend, a figment of our imagination.
The Reunion and Beyond
In the summer of 1992, MERCYFUL FATE decided to reunite, because why not? They penned a new deal with Brian Slagel and his label, Metal Blade Records, and released “In The Shadows” in 1993, which was an instant triumph, furthered by a sold-out U.S. tour. Because, you know, the fans were just dying to see them live again. The band has gone on to release another five studio albums and have toured Europe, the U.S., and South America multiple times. The highlight of 1999 was their critically acclaimed album “9”, which was followed by a European tour with METALLICA, where King Diamond and Hank Shermann joined the band onstage several times for the medley “Mercyful Fate” which METALLICA had recorded on their “Garage Inc.” double tribute album the year prior.
So, if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to attend the Leyendas Del Rock festival, consider yourself blessed. I’m sure it’ll be a real treat to see MERCYFUL FATE play live, even if it’s just for one show. And who knows, maybe they’ll even play some new material, but I wouldn’t count on it. After all, as the great philosopher, Dimebag Darrell, once said, “You can’t have too much of a good thing, but you can have too much of a bad thing, and that’s exactly what’s happening here.” 🤣
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
