Search - Mercyful Fate :: Return of the Vampire

CD for the true MF fan

08/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great idea for an album, all unreleased and rare tracks including early demos of later songs, e.g the legendary "Curse Of The Pharaohs" in its earlier, longer form than that on the re-mastered "Melissa" album which cuts out some great riffs. There are also earlier forms of: "Desecration of souls" with its amazing intro, "A Dangerous Meeting", in a better form called "Death Kiss". But, the main attraction for me is the stuff I hadn't heard. E.g Peterson's "Burning the cross" with king diamond's younger sounding voice is a 8min + thriller. The album includes "Corpse Without Soul", from the first Fate ep which with its changing riffs and howling vocals is a must for any MF fan. This album even goes back to before Mercyful Fate when Hank would also fill in for bass in Michael Denner's 3 piece band in which he wrote vocals which, unsurprisingly were never put on any album. These 3 songs are very un MF but still have great riffs, rough sound quality and a brilliant King Diamond voice. All the songs have rather good quality sound for demos and howling King Diamond vocals, though it is sometimes hard to hear what he is singing and it all sounds rather dated, even compared to some of the stuff on "Don't Break The Oath" and "Melissa". The title track is one of the best songs on the album and I can't wait to hear the 1993 version. This is a good album, though by no means one of the best, also I wouldn't recommend it as a first MF album to buy because it doesn't reflect what the band is really like, this is for the die-hard MF fan. I liked the album because it shows what MF were like before their fame, what songs got them business deals. This album is usually on most internet music shopping sites."

If this is your first Mercyful Fate Cd, Dont buy it!

Wes "The Music Reviewer" Imel | Lapeer, MI | 11/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was my first Mercyful Fate cd.. I don't regret buying it by any means. I am just suggesting that you only buy this if you're into Mercyful Fate already. Return of the Vampire is a great album. It is compiled of rare and uncut takes (as well as raw unedited tracks). My favorite track is Leave My Soul Alone."

Heavy Metal, it's beginning Mercyful Fate

magick1_ia | Iowa, USA | 01/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoy this album very much. I love the hard licks, the vocals and believe that this MF album ranks in there with the other MF albums, dark, haunting, yet uplifting and great vocals and a rocking, heavy pulsing beat!"