๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ - ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ย ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐โฆ
On this day (June 15) in 1999, MERCYFUL FATE released their seventh full-length studio album โ9โ via Metal Blade Records.
Background:
In February 1999, Mercyful Fate began recording the album โ9โ, which was released on June 15, 1999. The album continued the heavier sound that was introduced on their previous album โDead Againโ, and also marks the continuation of the Satanic- and occult-based lyrical themes which were prevalent during the band's first incarnation and were reintroduced on the โTimeโ (1994) album, as the primary lyrical focus. โ9โ was Mercyful Fate's last studio album before their twenty-year hiatus from 1999 to 2019.
After the supporting tour for โ9โ, Mercyful Fate was put on hiatus. King Diamond focused on his eponymous band, along with guitarist Mike Wead, who joined the group during the European โHouse of Godโ tour. Hank Shermann and Bjarne T. Holm reunited with Michael Denner to form Force of Evil, while Sharlee D'Angelo joined the band Arch Enemy. When asked about the current state of the band in 2008, Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", and that "it's definitely not finished, at least in my book."
Overview:
After Mercyful Fate had released their album โDead Againโ, original guitarist Michael Denner left the band and was replaced by Memento Mori axeman Mike Wead, which meant that vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann were the sole remaining members of the bands original line-up.
Which brings me to โ9โ, ironically Mercyful Fateโs ninth and last studio release in the past 23 years. The album has a much different sound than anything MF have done before. It has a much darker, more Doom-laden atmosphere, with a fuzzier guitar tone than Iโve ever heard on a Mercyful Fate release. The album begins with โLast Ritesโ, a highly energetic number, featuring various time-signatures with Kingโs nightmarish falsetto front and center. Next is the very Doomy โChurch of Saint Anneโ. Then we have the airy โSold My Soulโ, with a flange effect that gives it an atmospheric vibe. The following four tracks; โHouse on the Hillโ, โBurn in Hellโ, โThe Graveโ, and โInsaneโ are closer to the classic sound of MF than anything else on โ9โ, with the exception that โThe Graveโ intro starts out with very groove oriented feel. โKiss the Demonโ begins with an almost Prog. Rock feel and then jumps back and forth between that and classic Fate. The title track, โ9โ has a staccato feel with more added atmosphere.
In conclusion; While the lyrical content is prototypical of Mercyful Fate, featuring subject matters of the occult, supernatural and mental illness, the focus here seems to be more about great storytelling, which is something more representative of King Diamondโs solo work. And, while the framework of the music differs from the bands original sound, the core of their foundation is still present. โ E.N. Wells
Noteworthy:
In a May 2020 interview with Heavy magazine, Shermann said that he had "written six or seven songs" for the band's new album. On June 2, 2022, Mercyful Fate performed their first live show since 1999 in Hanover as part of a European tour, where they debuted a brand new song titled "The Jackal of Salzburg".
Critical Reception:
โ9โ received mixed reviews upon release and retrospectively, with Steve Huey of AllMusic stating; โIn spite of 9's efforts to strip down the band's sound and recover some of the power that was sacrificed for more elaborate arrangements, the melodies and riffs in general just aren't up to their usual standard, feeling more journeyman-like than one might hope. As with any Mercyful Fate record, there are a few good moments, but overall, it's beginning to feel like they've stuck around too long.โ
While Paul Schwarz at chroniclesofchaos.com wrote; What it comes down to is that โ9โ is but a pale reflection of classic Mercyful Fate, but still makes for a listenable and varied album. For Mercyful Fate fans who crave more quantity, even if the quality is not up to previous standards.โ
Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:
Click this link to listen to โโ9โโ via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/9/60367435
Click this link to follow Mercyful Fate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercyfulfateofficial
Click this link to follow King Diamond on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingdiamond
Click this link to follow Hank Shermann on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HankShermannOfficial
Click this link to follow Mike Wead on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeWead/
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. โ E.N. Wells
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