Are we dreaming? Mercyful Fate have surprised us this morning by announcing their official return to the stage in over two decades. The group’s last concert was from October 1999, and now they will reunite for an unspecified number of shows throughout Europe during the summer of 2020. The lineup for these shows will for the most part be from their overall seventh and “final” effort, 1999’s 9. Members from that album include King Diamond (vocals), Hank Shermann (guitar), Bjarne T. Holm (drums), and Mike Wead (guitar). Joey Vera (Armored Saint/Fates Warning) will join in on bass while Timi Hansen is away. Note: Sharlee D’Angelo was part of the group’s final record but there’s no sign that he will be part of this reunion as we’re sure he has his hands full with Arch Enemy, Night Flight Orchestra, etc. 

While the group will resurrect most of their 1999 era, they promise to perform songs from their debut album 1983’s Melissa and sophomore classic 1984’s Don’t Break the Oath. While it’s uncertain if the band will surprise us with a brand new record, they promise to deliver a few new songs written specifically in the same style as their first two albums.  

The group issued the following announcement:

“NEVER BREAK THE OATH

We will be playing an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe during the summer of 2020, including Copenhell.

It will be the “9” lineup, featuring:

Hank Shermann – Guitar

King Diamond – Vocals

Bjarne T Holm – Drums

Mike Wead – Guitar

with Joey Vera on the bass while Timi Hansen is away.

We asked Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) to fill in because he has a very unique style and sound playing with his fingers, much like that of Timi Hansen. This is very important, since the set list will only consist of songs from the very first “mini LP”, the “Melissa” album, and the “Don’t Break The Oath” album, plus some brand new songs written specifically in that very same style.

This will very much be Mercyful Fate as we were in the very beginning, except for a brand new major stage production.

See you at the Ruined Bridge.

Stay Heavy

Mercyful Fate”

It looks like 2020 will be a busy year for King Diamond as he performed a brand new song, “Masquerade of Madness,” live at this year’s Hellfest. Does this mean we will see a new album from both King Diamond and Mercyful fate for 2020? We’re not entirely sure but here’s hoping!