Mercyful Fate

It’s challenging to look clearly at Mercyful Fate’s masterpiece, Don’t Break the Oath, released 40 years ago today. But our own Justin M Norton gives it a shot. Read here.

Dig Mercyful Fate? If you are here, the chances are almost certainly yes. If that is the case, check out Demon Spell‘s new EP, Evil Nights.

Copies of Decibel Books’ Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult—Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition are in stock and shipping NOW!

Preorder the massive 800-page Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult—Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition and get a free woven patch while supplies last!

Melissa’s legacy is legion. Join us as we look back on the 40th anniversary of Mercyful Fate‘s earth-shattering debut full-length album.

This ultimate edition of Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult includes 120,000 words of new content, over 60 new interviews, an 80-page color section, improved layout & a stunning new cover.

We speak with King Diamond about how Mercyful Fate reunited, his two bouts with COVID, tour bassist Becky Baldwin and more. The tour begins next week and tickets are still available although dwindling.

One-time Mercyful Fate and King Diamond drummer Snowy Shaw contributes guest vocals to a new track from U.S. death dealers Angerot.

Mercyful Fate and King Diamond axe hero Michael Denner burns bright again with new track from Denner’s Inferno.

Comedian Anthony Devito shares his thoughts on a variety of metal songs.

Don’t call them comebacks. Call them the best reunion albums in metal history.

  The extremely limited complete trilogy of Mark Rudolph’s graphic novel tribute series is exclusively available via the Decibel webstore in this limited edition bundle. – Metal Gods: A Tribute to Judas Priest (2017) – Morbid Tales: A Tribute to Celtic Frost (2014) – Satan is Alive: A Tribute to Mercyful Fate (2012) Complete your collection at…

The definitive stories of 25 of the greatest metal albums ever recorded now all in one anthology. 

Decibel has complied 25 of our best Hall of Fame pieces into a brand new hardcover, limited-edition, hand-numbered anthology, exclusively available here.

After 21 years of housing some of the finest metal acts known to mankind, British label Music For Nations closed shop in 2004. The label was folded in Sony Entertainment’s Zomba Record Group and mothballed until last year when Sony rekindled the legendary label’s fire.  So, we’re celebrating with an essential Top 10. 

** The following five questions with the legendary King Diamond were part of a series of interviews I set up for the XXX: Three Decades of Roadrunner Records [click HERE for more info] boxset, for which I wrote the liner notes. Former Roadrunner Records Senior VP A&R Monte Conner facilitated the initial exchange with King…

It would be completely accurate to say that Melissa is the greatest album ever named after an errant human skull, but it would also be a ridiculously short sell.