Mercyful Fate is a Black Metal / Heavy Metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark, which was formed by Kim "King Diamond" Bendix Petersen (vocals, keyboards) and Rene "Hank Shermann" Krolmark (guitar) in 1981.

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)