MERCYFUL FATE — Mercyful Fate (review)

MERCYFUL FATE — Mercyful Fate album cover EP · 1982 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Mercyful Fate" is an eponymously titled EP release by Danish heavy metal act Mercyful Fate. The EP was released through Rave-On Records in September 1982 and it´s the first official label release by the band. The original vinyl pressing is a rare collector´s item today, but the 4 tracks on the 22:04 minutes long EP are all available on the 1987 compilation album "The Beginning". The material on the EP was recorded at Stone Studio in Roosendaal, Netherlands, in two days in September 1982.

The music featured on the release is traditional heavy metal with an organic playing rhythm section, hard rocking riffs (which occasionally lean towards proto thrash), blistering guitar solos from both guitarists, and King Diamond´s distinct sounding high pitched vocals in front. Although there are clear references to artists like Iron Maiden, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest featured in the music, Mercyful Fate set themselves apart from the get go. First of all because of King Diamond´s unique vocals and blasphemous/occult lyrics/image, but also because of the complexity of the compositions, and the adventurous playing style.

The tracks have a very immediate quality to them, which is probably partially a result of them being recorded in only two days. It wasn´t unusual in those days though and the band sure make good use of the limited recording time. Although there are audible playing errors throughout the EP, they are not distracting and only work in favor of the credibility/authenticity of the recording. It of course also helps that the material are very well written and instantly memorable (despite the relatively complex nature of the tracks). All tracks are worth a mention, but "Nuns Have No Fun" deserves a speciel mention for the overtly blasphemous lyrics which involve contemplating the rape of a nun (pretty extreme for the time). The nearly 7 minutes long "Doomed by a Living Dead" is another highlight.

The sound production is very raw and slightly lo-fi, but doesn´t lack punch or power. Considering the short recording/mixing/mastering time, it is actually pretty well sounding and detailed. Upon conclusion it´s a release which is hard to rate. The EP is pretty unique sounding for it´s time and the material is both powerful and adventurous, and delivered with burning passion and great conviction, which are all positives, but it´s just short of being as great as the two full-length studio albums which succeeded it, so a 4.5 star (90%) rating is fair.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Stereo Grief Metalcore
GREYHAVEN (KY)
Buy this album from MMA partners
Unearthly Litanies of Despair Death Metal
ENGULFED
Buy this album from MMA partners
It Beckons Us All....... Black Metal
DARKTHRONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Death Is Not The End Doom Metal
GLOSSA
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Way Forward Sludge Metal
BLACK TUSK
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Agremorta - Adrocitas (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
Agremorta - Ploratus Umbra (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
Agremorta - Vertex Membrana (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - The Temple Of Curved Space (Official Track Stream)
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR
adg211288· 2 days ago
In Sulfur - The Gate (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2022
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 3 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed