Mercyful Fate Biography
Danish band featuring vocalist King Diamond, guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen, and drummer Kim Ruzz. Mercyful Fate won a large cult following thanks to their dramatic lyrics, showing a Gothic obsession with evil and the occult, and Diamond's amazing vocal range, which shifted from a low growl to a banshee scream, plus the interplay of Shermann and Denner. The band broke up after two full-length albums owing to differences of opinion about what direction the group should take (Shermann wanted a more commercial approach). Diamond pursued a solo career in the mid-'80s. In 1993, the group reformed its original lineup, with the exception of Ruzz (King Diamond drummer Snowy Shaw joined instead). The initial results were quite successful, as the group seemed to pick up right where it left off, much to the delight of their fans. Hansen left after the first reunion record, In the Shadows, and was replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo on its 1994 follow-up Time; drummer Shaw's place was taken by Bjarne T. Holm for 1996's Into the Unknown. Dead Again followed in 1998, as did further lineup shifts; original member Denner called it quits, and the band recruited Mike Wead to take his place on guitar. This lineup remained in place for 1999's 9. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Tomita Biography: Pioneering Japanese composer and synthesizer expert Isao Tomita bridged the gap between note-by-note classical/electronic LPs like Switched-On Bach and the more futuristic, user-friendly interfaces...
Phantom Biography: In order to understand the phenomenon of the Phantom, you have to put yourself back in the period in which "he" emerged. It's the mid-1970s, and a lot of the most compelling rock stars of...
Genius Biography: The Genius, aka the GZA, was the most cerebral MC in the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as perhaps the most acclaimed. His cool, precise flow and intricate, literate rhymes weren't as theatrical as Method Man...
California guitar trio Biography: The California Guitar Trio consists of three musicians who are not necessarily California-bred; Bert Lams is from Belgium, Hideyo Moriya hails from Japan, and Paul Richards is the only native of the...
Glitter band Biography: Named for their associations with glam idol Gary Glitter, the Glitter Band originally came together in 1972, following Glitter's own breakthrough with the hit "Rock and Roll." With his first major...
Wir sind helden Biography: German alternative pop quartet Wir Sind Helden (We Are Heroes) formed in 2001. Singer/guitarist Judith Holofernes enjoyed a solo career, in 1999 issuing the LP Kamikazefliege, prior to recruiting...
Buddy guy Biography: He's Chicago's blues king today, ruling his domain just as his idol and mentor Muddy Waters did before him. Yet there was a time, and not all that long ago either, when Buddy Guy couldn't even...
U totem Biography: U Totem was formed by members of two bands: drummer/composer David Kerman's 5UU's and bassist/composer James Grigsby's Motor Totemist Guild. These two groups were active in the Los Angeles area...