A key album featuring dark occult themes and complex compositions across 7 tracks, defining Mercyful Fate's sound.
Artist page · 03/07/2026
Mercyful Fate
About
Mercyful Fate, Danish pioneers of black metal from Copenhagen since 1981.
7 studio albums and 2 EPs with rare limited editions and picture discs on vinyl.
Mercyful Fate originated in Copenhagen in 1981, founded by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. Known for their blend of heavy metal, progressive rock influences, and dark lyrics centered on satanism and the occult, they stand as pioneers of the first wave of black metal emerging in the mid-1980s. Their discography includes seven studio albums, two extended plays, and several compilations. On vinyl, their releases include notable titles such as "Melissa" (1983), "Don't Break The Oath" (1984), and "In The Shadows" (1993), with several reissues and limited editions available.
Vinyles.com tracks multiple pressings, including original German 1999 picture disc pressings of "9" and limited edition numbered vinyls of "Into The Unknown." The band's catalog remains sought af…
Discography
Mercyful Fate — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Metal Blade Records · 1999
Metal Blade Records · 1998
Metal Blade Records · 1996
Metal Blade Records · 1994
Metal Blade Records · 1993
Roadrunner Records · 1984
Roadrunner Records · 1983
Rave-On Records · 1982Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Mercyful Fate's career.





The essentials
The 3 Mercyful Fate albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Crucial black metal album originally released in 1984, noted for influential tracks and a staple in their vinyl catalog.
This 1993 album includes progressive elements within heavy metal, offered on limited edition vinyl with 10 tracks.
Go further
Artists similar to Mercyful Fate
Artists who share part of Mercyful Fate's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Mercyful Fate
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"Mercyful Fate emerged as a pioneer of the first wave of black metal in the mid-1980s."— Artist history
Formation in Copenhagen in 1981
Mercyful Fate was formed in Copenhagen in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann, marking the beginning of the Danish heavy metal band.
1999 Original German LP Picture Disc of "9"
The 1999 German Metal Blade Records limited edition picture disc pressing for the "9" album is sought by collectors, with a catalog number 3984-14242-1 PD.
Rare numbered limited edition vinyl of "Into The Unknown"
Released in 2007 by Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records in Italy, a numbered limited edition LP pressing of "Into The Unknown" is available with a high price around 300 € for some copies.
Limited edition LP of "In The Shadows"
The album "In The Shadows" was released as a limited edition LP in 1993 on Metal Blade Records, featuring 10 tracks with heavy and black metal styles.
"King Diamond's vocals and occult themes set Mercyful Fate apart in the heavy metal scene."— Band commentary
Records by Mercyful Fate
See all
Official store
Mercyful Fate merch
T-shirts, posters, accessories and limited editions.
FAQ
FAQ: Mercyful Fate on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Mercyful Fate formed and where?
Mercyful Fate was formed in 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How many studio albums and EPs does Mercyful Fate have?
The band has released 7 studio albums and 2 extended plays to date.
Which Mercyful Fate album is considered a pioneer in black metal?
"Melissa" from 1983 is considered one of the early pioneering albums in black metal.
Are Mercyful Fate vinyl records available in limited editions or special pressings?
Yes, several albums including "9" and "Into The Unknown" have limited edition and picture disc pressings.
What is a notable pressing of the album "9"?
A German 1999 original limited edition picture disc pressing with catalog number 3984-14242-1 PD is notable.
Where can I find rare Mercyful Fate vinyl pressings in Europe?
Italy and Germany have pressings including numbered limited editions and test pressings that are often sought by collectors.
What are common themes in Mercyful Fate's lyrics?
The lyrics often explore satanism and occultism, which are central to their black metal identity.
Which tracks are among the most played Mercyful Fate songs?
Tracks like "Evil," "A Dangerous Meeting," and "Curse of the Pharaohs" have garnered significant play counts and fan attention.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.





