Mercyful Fate referred to as a key influence by many artists Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Power Metal, and Progressive Metal.
After a tour in order to promote the album "Do not Break the Oath" in the United States for the first time, King Diamond formed a new band in April 1985 as a result of frustration over creative differences with Hank Shermann. King Diamond invites TIMI "Grabber" Hansen (bass) and Michael Denner (guitar) to establish a new band with his own name, "King Diamond". Mercyful Fate broke up shortly after. In July 1992, Mercyful Fate reformed again.
Mercyful Fate has produced seven studio albums, 4 compilation album (The Beginning - 1987, Return of the Vampire - 1992, A Dangerous Meeting - 1992, The Best of Mercyful Fate - 2003), and 2 EPs (The Mercyful Fate EP - 1982, The Bell Witch - 1994).
Member:
* Kim "King Diamond" Bendix Petersen (King Diamond) - Vocals, Keyboards (1981-1985, 1993-Present)
* Rene 'Hank Shermann "Krolmark - Guitar (1981-1985, 1993-Present)
* Michael "Mike Wead" Wikström (King Diamond) - Guitar (1996-Present)
* Charles "Sharlee D'Angelo" Peter Andreason - Bass (1993-Present)
* Bjarne "Bob Lance" Thomas Holm - Drums (1994-Present)
Former Members:
* Carsten Van Der Volsing - Guitar
* Benny Petersen - Guitar (1981-1982)
* Michael Denner (King Diamond) - Guitar (1982-1985, 1993-1996, 2009)
* TIMI "Grabber" Hansen (King Diamond) - Bass (1981-1985, 1993-1994, 2009)
* Jan Musen - Drums
* Ole Frausing - Drums
* Kim Ruzz - Drums (1981-1985)
* "Old" Nick Smith - Drums (1992)
* Morten Nielsen - Drums (1993)
* Tommy "Snowy Shaw" Helgesson (Dream Evil, King Diamond, Therion) - Drums (1993-1994)
Session Members:
* Lars Ulrich (Metallica) - Drums (1993)
* Aaron Johnson - Bass
Discography:
* The Mercyful Fate EP [EP] (1982)
* Melissa (1983)
* Do not Break the Oath (1984)
* The Beginning [compilation] (1987)
* Return of the Vampire [compilation] (1992)
* A Dangerous Meeting [compilation] (1992)
* In the Shadows (1993)
* Time (1994)
* The Bell Witch [EP] (1994)
* Into the Unknown (1996)
* Dead Again (1998)
* 9 (1999)
* The Best of Mercyful Fate [compilation] (2003)
