Mercyful Fate

Danish band featuring vocalist King Diamond, guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen, and drummer Kim Ruzz. Mercyful Destiny won a big cult following because of their dramatic lyrics, displaying a Gothic obsession with bad as well as the occult, and Diamond’s amazing vocal range, which shifted from a minimal growl to some banshee scream, in addition to the interplay of Shermann and Denner. The music group split up after two full-length albums due to variations of opinion in what path the group should consider (Shermann wanted a far more industrial approach). Gemstone pursued a single career within the middle-’80s. In 1993, the group reformed its initial lineup, apart from Ruzz (Ruler Gemstone drummer Snowy Shaw became a member of instead). The original results had been quite successful, because the group appeared to pick up correct where it remaining off, much towards the delight of the fans. Hansen remaining after the 1st reunion record, Within the Shadows, and was changed by Sharlee D’Angelo on its 1994 follow-up Period; drummer Shaw’s place was used by Bjarne T. Holm for 1996’s In to the Unfamiliar. Dead Again adopted in 1998, as do additional lineup shifts; initial member Denner known as it quits, as well as the music group recruited Mike Wead to consider his put on acoustic guitar. This lineup continued to be set up for 1999’s 9.