Up next on the chopping block is a band that I feel like I’ve been putting off and well the time just feels right. They’re a huge influence on a lot of my favorite bands and since I have a greater appreciation for vocals that are on the higher pitched side of things here we are. The band I have on the chopping block is Mercyful Fate so with that let’s take a look………..
Melissa- this feels very much like an 80’s album but I can easily see how this would be a huge influence on the guitar players that I like. The guitar work is absolutely badass and the vocals aren’t too bad either. Actually they fit quite well with the guitar playing. I can see how this album would be considered a classic and I’ll give this one 10/10
Standouts: Curse Of The Pharaohs, Black Funeral, Satan’s Fall
Don’t Break The Oath- again like Melissa, I can see how this one would also be considered a classic. If you are into songs about Satan with theatrical style lyrics then you’re gonna love this record. Is this an extreme record? Depends on your definition of extreme music. For me the answer is no but again I guess at the time this was extreme. Either way, another classic and I have to give it 10/10
Standouts: A Dangerous Meeting, Gypsy, Come To The Sabbath
The Beginning- originally I wasn’t going to review this but then decided at the last minute to give it a listen. This is basically the Nuns Have No Fun EP and different versions of four songs off of Melissa. It’s not bad, very hard rock sounding so if you are a diehard fan then check this out. I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: Nuns Have No Fun, Evil, Doomed By The Living Dead
The Return Of The Vampire- this is just a collection of unreleased songs and B-sides. I will say that the album cover is pretty badass but overall, the record is fine. It feels like a standard record and I thought it was part of their main catalog so I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: A Corpse Without Soul, On A Night Of Full Moon, M.D.A.
In The Shadows- I feel like they slowed things slightly on this record but it still sounds like a Mercyful Fate record. One thing to note is that Lars Ulrich plays drums on the song Return Of The Vampire. I do know that when it comes to this band, people almost always bring up the first two records but this one is not bad either. I’ll give it a 8/10
Standouts: Return Of The Vampire, Egypt, Shadows
Time- it’s always a gamble when bands release records a year apart but sometimes it works. Sometimes it can sound like leftover material that wasn’t used and on this one it’s not really the case. I did notice there aren’t as many highs (vocally) as there usually are. There is almost a trade off between the highs and normal singing. Anyway, not a bad record and I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: Time, Nightmare Be Thy Name, Angel Of Light
Into The Unknown- it feels like this one they went for a more fuller sound. The songs do tend to drag in parts but overall, it’s a pretty solid record. Ill give it 8/10
Standouts: Lucifer, Under The Spell, The Ghost Of Change
Dead Again- the production on this seems a lot more muddy and raw which is reminiscent of the first couple records. Also another thing to note is that the guitars seem more distorted. I kind of like it as it gives an early Mercyful Fate vibe. I also like that this is their heaviest sounding record. I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: The Lady Who Cries, Torture, Sucking Your Blood
9- I wouldn’t be surprised if they made albums back to back. Both this one and the last one were released a year apart and the album is also heavy like the last record. This one also has my favorite album cover and this would be the last record before their 20 year hiatus. I’ll give it 9.5/10
Standouts: Sold My Soul, Last Rites, Insane
I can see why these guys were so influential to thrash, death, and black metal bands. Is this a band that I would listen to over and over again? Probably not but I respect what they did for the genre. I would actually like to see them live so hopefully they don’t take too long to do another U.S. tour now that they are back. Also one question and that is who’s Melissa??
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Don’t Break The Oath
- Melissa
- 9
- Time
- In The Shadows
- Into The Unknown
- Dead Again
- The Return Of The Vampire
- The Beginning
Sinister Reviews 