Without Mercyful fate there would have been no Metallica. Dont hold that against them though. Conventions and norms which now abound the metal scene were often directly lifted (i.e. stolen) from this their last album before their first spilt. The album itself is heavily aggressive trad metal, with some exceptional displays of guitar ability within the solos (The Oath) and some marvellous invention displayed within the riffs (come to the Sabbath). Structurally it is slightly less linear than the heavy metal of the 1970s yet still is fairly straightforward, thus meaning the album isnt too simple as to get boring yet still have enough melody and repetition to be one which is easy to know by heart.
King Diamonds performance on this secures his place as one of the kings nay the king of heavy metal. King Diamond is so cool; he could make love to your girlfriend, kill your dog and piss on your designer clubbing gear all at the same time. Why is this?
His vocal performance on this album is just superb. Ranging from melodic and poignant passages (which incidentally the squinty eyed socialist cum capitalist out of Radiohead stole for his own vaudeville act) on songs such as a dangerous meeting and desecration of souls, to his frankly incredible falsetto which carries more power and harmony than Bruce Dickinsons corny and strained efforts ever could.
Stand out tracks including the poignant yet exhilarating A Dangerous Meeting and the heavy metal stomp that is Gypsy. In fact all the tracks are stand out tracks there are no weak tracks here.
Lets face facts. If you claim to be a fan of heavy metal, then you need this album. its more essential than any of the Maiden, Metallica and Def Leppard (if you hold the belief that Def Leppard are better than Mercyful Fate then you better drink a Bleach martini, shaken not stirred, as your worth less than a fetid jar of monkey piss).
I repeat you need this album.
King Diamonds performance on this secures his place as one of the kings nay the king of heavy metal. King Diamond is so cool; he could make love to your girlfriend, kill your dog and piss on your designer clubbing gear all at the same time. Why is this?
His vocal performance on this album is just superb. Ranging from melodic and poignant passages (which incidentally the squinty eyed socialist cum capitalist out of Radiohead stole for his own vaudeville act) on songs such as a dangerous meeting and desecration of souls, to his frankly incredible falsetto which carries more power and harmony than Bruce Dickinsons corny and strained efforts ever could.
Stand out tracks including the poignant yet exhilarating A Dangerous Meeting and the heavy metal stomp that is Gypsy. In fact all the tracks are stand out tracks there are no weak tracks here.
Lets face facts. If you claim to be a fan of heavy metal, then you need this album. its more essential than any of the Maiden, Metallica and Def Leppard (if you hold the belief that Def Leppard are better than Mercyful Fate then you better drink a Bleach martini, shaken not stirred, as your worth less than a fetid jar of monkey piss).
I repeat you need this album.
