Artist page · 03/07/2026

Mercyful Fate

CopenhagenFormed in 1981Black Metal11 vinyl albums
Mercyful Fate, formed in Copenhagen in 1981, is a Danish band influential in the early black metal scene, blending heavy metal with occult themes.
11Albums on Vinyles.com
1676Discogs releases
338kLast.fm listeners

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.

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Mercyful Fate's career.

01
Evil
Evil
Melissa · 1983
02
A Dangerous Meeting
·
03
Curse of the Pharaohs
Curse of the Pharaohs
Melissa · 1983
04
Come to the Sabbath
·
05
Into the Coven
Into the Coven
Melissa · 1983
06
Gypsy
·
07
Melissa
Melissa
Melissa · 1983
08
Black Funeral
Black Funeral
Melissa · 1983

The essentials

The 3 Mercyful Fate albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1983
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Melissa

A key album featuring dark occult themes and complex compositions across 7 tracks, defining Mercyful Fate's sound.

7 tracksStereoRoadrunner Records1983
#2 · 1984
Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Don't Break The Oath (ri)

Crucial black metal album originally released in 1984, noted for influential tracks and a staple in their vinyl catalog.

Vinyl LPReissueRoadrunner Records1984
#3 · 1993
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
In The Shadows

This 1993 album includes progressive elements within heavy metal, offered on limited edition vinyl with 10 tracks.

10 tracksLimited EditionMetal Blade Records1993

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.

9
Master release · LP · 1999
Market position i
60,00 €
Min price 25 €Max price 180 €
Average price 60,00 €
Only 20 copies for sale on Discogs
129 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Dead Again
Master release · LP · 1998
Market position i
21,71 €
Min price 21 €Max price 23 €
Average price 21,71 €
Only 10 copies for sale on Discogs
126 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Into The Unknown
Master release · LP · 1996
Market position i
170,01 €
Min price 40 €Max price 300 €
Average price 170,01 €
Only 7 copies for sale on Discogs
122 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Time
Master release · LP · 1994
Market position i
275,00 €
Min price 275 €Max price 275 €
Average price 275,00 €
Only 1 copies for sale on Discogs
172 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
In The Shadows
Master release · LP · 1993
Market position i
106,58 €
Min price 30 €Max price 112 €
Average price 106,58 €
Only 16 copies for sale on Discogs
649 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Melissa
Master release · LP · 1983
Market position i
49,99 €
Min price 48 €Max price 52 €
Average price 49,99 €
Only 69 copies for sale on Discogs
1 588 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
TimeLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Test Pressing
Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records Italy · 2008 NIGHT TEST 🔥 Standard edition
172 want · 1 035 have · ratio 0,2
Into The UnknownLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Test Pressing
Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records Italy · 2007 NIGHT TEST 🔥 Standard edition
122 want · 703 have · ratio 0,2
Into The UnknownLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue
Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records Italy · 2007 NIGHT 028 Original pressing
122 want · 703 have · ratio 0,2
300,00 €
TimeLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release
Metalized Blood Records Europe · 2006 MBR-006 Original pressing
172 want · 1 035 have · ratio 0,2
9LP, Album
Metal Blade Records Germany · 1999 3984-14242-1 🔥 Standard edition
129 want · 896 have · ratio 0,1
180,00 €
9LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc
Metal Blade Records Germany · 1999 3984-14242-1 PD Original pressing
129 want · 896 have · ratio 0,1
60,00 €
Dead AgainLP, Album, Test Pressing
Metal Blade Records Germany · 1998 3984-14159-1 🔥 Standard edition
126 want · 1 126 have · ratio 0,1
Dead AgainLP, Album
Metal Blade Records Germany · 1998 3984-14159-1 Original pressing
126 want · 1 126 have · ratio 0,1
20,78 €

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
01Studio

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.

1981Copenhagen
02Pressing

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.

1999Germany
03Collector item

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.

2007Italy
04Vinyl release

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.

1993Metal Blade Records
"King Diamond's vocals and occult themes set Mercyful Fate apart in the heavy metal scene."
— Band commentary

Records by Mercyful Fate

See all

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

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 03/07/2026