Is Mercyful Fate the band we all like?

[Chip Z'Hoy]

Or do you have a hard time with the sometimes-Elmo vox?

Some might not be too stoked about the Satanic themes, and that's okay. If Christianity is your thing, maybe you don't want some demented Danish clown shrieking blasphemies in your face.

Me? I think Jesus gets it, it'll be fine.

[Van Ailin']

Not much. I've met Michael Denner a few times, though. He's a good dude. His store in Copenhagen is worth a visit.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

After President Greg Stillson gets us all vaporized, and I have to repopulate the world Elon-style, my children will ask "Papa?" (Because I am also now the singer of Ghost. Just how the papal heirarchy works.) "Papa? What was heavy metal?" And I will say "Mercyful Fate."

[Van Ailin']

After President Greg Stillson gets us all vaporized, and I have to repopulate the world Elon-style, my children will ask "Papa?" (Because I am also now the singer of Ghost. Just how the papal heirarchy works.) "Papa? What was heavy metal?" And I will say "Mercyful Fate."

When I think "metal," I think of the kind of chunky, Euro-metal, 8th note style of Michael Schenker. So UFO or MSG for me. Or early Metallica, who were very much influenced by Mercyful Fate.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

When I think "metal," I think of the kind of chunky, Euro-metal, 8th note style of Michael Schenker. So UFO or MSG for me. Or early Metallica, who were very much influenced by Mercyful Fate.

Metallica indeed had some undeniable mojo, at a super young age. Hetfield was 20 years old when Kill 'Em All came out! Probably wrote "Fade to Black" the same year. Just operating on a completely different level.

[LAglamrocker]

Mercyful Fate- like
Shotgun Messiah-love

[inextrem]

Their first two albums are untouchable, "Melissa" and "Don't Break the Oath".
When they reformed in the 90's they managed to release some good stuff. Some albums were better than others, of course, but they always delivered (Listen to "9" for example)

[Hellsinkey]

Some might not be too stoked about the Satanic themes, and that's okay. If Christianity is your thing, maybe you don't want some demented Danish clown shrieking blasphemies in your face.

We went to see MF three years ago with my girlfriend (who's a christian). I didn't tell her much about the band before the gig. She was a bit outraged, but took it mostly well.

[rubysdad]

Love the first two albums.
Not so much King solo, didn’t know they had released any more.

[Wiseacre]

I love them and always have. Definitely not a band we all like though because a LOT of people can't get past King's voice.

I saw them in a club standing 3 feet in front of KING the whole show back in 1984 (Don't Break the oath).

My band also had the pleasure of opening for them for a month in '93 after their Reunion.

[jens]

Melissa & Oath are as good as it gets, 10/10.

[Psychobolia.com]

Melissa: 10
Oath: 10
In the Shadows: 8.5

Fatal Portrait: 9
Abigail: 10
Them: 8.5

King fucking rules!

[GoodJudge]

I've listened to Melissa a few times but can't get into it. I've heard a few KD solo tracks but nothing made me want to seek out more.

But Don't Break The Oath is a perfect album, from the iconic cover to the last vocal.

[Tommy2Tone84]

Never got into them. I never liked King’s voice and thought they were cheesy. A lot like Venom. I did turn a corner on Venom but they just sound like bad Motörhead to me.

On a related note, Diamond Head and Angel Witch were good.

[Love_Industry]

Melissa is one of the greatest metal albums of all time but it's their AFD. In a different league than anything they did later.

I don't get the love for DBTO. Decent album with a cool cover but a major dropoff after Melissa. I even prefer In the Shadows. Time is good too.

[pieceofme]

I don't think I've ever listened to them. Are they actually good? Or is this one of those sludge things where people love them here, but they are actually a bit shit?

[Rocker4Real]

I prefer Metallica's medley of the songs. King's vocals didn't work for me when I went back to the original versions.

[pieceofme]

I prefer Metallica's medley of the songs. King's vocals didn't work for me when I went back to the original versions.

Oh I have heard those songs on Garage Inc. I remember loving Garage Inc. when it was first released. Although the last time I listened to it was probably over 25 years ago....

[HueyRamone]

I prefer Metallica's medley of the songs. King's vocals didn't work for me when I went back to the original versions.

Yeah, me too. When I heard those, I was like "Huh. Fate could have actually been cool with a singer who didnt do.... that."

[Wiseacre]

Melissa is one of the greatest metal albums of all time but it's their AFD. In a different league than anything they did later.

I don't get the love for DBTO. Decent album with a cool cover but a major dropoff after Melissa. I even prefer In the Shadows. Time is good too.

I never got this opinion (a popular one). For me Melissa is nowhere near as good as Oath. Melissa is too RnR. Oath is just loaded with killer songs, better riffs and it has one of my favorite drum sounds from that era. They dropped the RnR bullshit completely and it’s all in a wonderfully dark minor key.

I love King, but there is a live video of Ripper Owens doing a cover of “Abigail” singing in full voice and it sounds amazing.

https://youtu.be/6AA1g_TM2Ik?si=QB1h4b41-2QK7jNG

[pieceofme]

Melissa is one of the greatest metal albums of all time but it's their AFD. In a different league than anything they did later.

I don't get the love for DBTO. Decent album with a cool cover but a major dropoff after Melissa. I even prefer In the Shadows. Time is good too.

I never got this opinion (a popular one). For me Melissa is nowhere near as good as Oath. Melissa is too RnR. Oath is just loaded with killer songs, better riffs and it has one of my favorite drum sounds from that era. They dropped the RnR bullshit completely and it’s all in a wonderfully dark minor key.

FYI, Love_Industry is the poster that thinks Parasite is one of the worst KISS songs.

I'm listening to Melissa right now. Good music, but the vocals are an acquired taste. I recall preferring the Metallica versions of their songs. And these days I can barely stand Metallica.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!

[pieceofme]

LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!

He also thinks Rocket Queen is the weakest songs on AFD. He's a bit out there with his taste. Which says a lot on this board!

[El Vampiro Blanco]

I love Melissa and Don't break the oath.
Really evil and very technical metal for that time.

I think Mustaine took a lot of Mercyful influence into Megadeth...

[EuroJR]

I've listened to Melissa a few times but can't get into it. I've heard a few KD solo tracks but nothing made me want to seek out more.

But Don't Break The Oath is a perfect album, from the iconic cover to the last vocal.

THIS

[Wiseacre]

I love Melissa and Don't break the oath.
Really evil and very technical metal for that time.

I think Mustaine took a lot of Mercyful influence into Megadeth...

No doubt about it. I don’t really hear it in Metallic past the first album, but I hear it all over Megadeth especially the early albums.

My take on Melissa vs Oath is the same as KEA vs RTL. The debut has too much RnR unlike RTL which I think is WAY better.

[skinni]

Amazing band. Melissa and Don't Break The Oath are classics that I listen to regularly.

[Love_Industry]

LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!

Did I really say it's one of Kiss's worst songs ever? I can't say I like it and it is the weakest on a top 5 Kiss album but c'mon half or more of PC, HITS and CoS are worse than Parasite.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!

Did I really say it's one of Kiss's worst songs ever? I can't say I like it and it is the weakest on a top 5 Kiss album but c'mon half or more of PC, HITS and CoS are worse than Parasite.

We've talked plenty about how much "X in Sex" sux so I always appreciate it when we get into the real grit, like "Parasite" slander.

I got classic Kiss songs like that. I don't really like "Love Her All I Can" or "I Stole Your Love." Don't hate them, but they're usually skipped.

[Love_Industry]

LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!

Did I really say it's one of Kiss's worst songs ever? I can't say I like it and it is the weakest on a top 5 Kiss album but c'mon half or more of PC, HITS and CoS are worse than Parasite.

We've talked plenty about how much "X in Sex" sux so I always appreciate it when we get into the real grit, like "Parasite" slander.

I got classic Kiss songs like that. I don't really like "Love Her All I Can" or "I Stole Your Love." Don't hate them, but they're usually skipped.

Agree with you about Kiss. Their most popular songs like Beth, Calling Dr. Love or Forever are far from their best. Not even RARAN or DRC would make my top 20 or 30.