Formation and first releases (1981–1985)

Mercyful Fate was originally formed in Copenhagen in the spring of 1981, following the dissolution of the band Brats. Brats were a punk/metal band featuring future Mercyful Fate members King Diamond and guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. After two studio albums and several line-up changes (including the addition of Diamond and the departure of Denner), Diamond and Shermann began writing new material that was much heavier than any of Brats' previous work. The band's record label CBS was not pleased with the material, and demanded they stop singing in English and become more commercial. As a result, Diamond and Shermann quit the group and went on to form Mercyful Fate. Former Rock Nalle bassist Ole Beich (later of L.A. Guns and Guns N' Roses) briefly joined the band around this time. After several line-up changes and semi-professional demo tapes, Mercyful Fate released their self-titled EP in 1982. This line-up consisted of King Diamond, Hank Shermann, bassist Timi Hansen, drummer Kim Ruzz and guitarist Michael Denner.

Legacy

Regarded as one of the pioneers of extreme metal, Mercyful Fate has been cited as influential to genres including black metal, death metal, and thrash metal. They have been cited as an influence on or inspiration to bands of the then-emerging death metal genre, including Death, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, and Incantation.