Name: Into The Unknown
Brand: Mercyful Fate

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

252217

Colour

Brown

Colour details

Iced Tea Marbled Vinyl

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-10-27

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

39842522173

Total Cap

Brown LP

Artist

Mercyful Fate

Genre GB

Metal

Label GB

Metal Blade

Metal Blade is an independent heavy metal label that was founded in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 1982 by Brian Slagel. Over the years, Metal Blade has gained a reputation for launching the careers of numerous popular metal bands including Metallica, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and many others.

The label has gone through various changes in its label codes and variants throughout the years. From 1982 to 1983, they used "tan labels and axe with blood stains" for most releases. However, there were exceptions such as "black labels" available only on the Metal Massacre compilation and "custom tan labels" for certain releases like Bitch's Damnation Alley.

In 1984, Metal Blade switched to using "silver labels and axe with blood stains," which were actually used only in that year. Some pressings from this period with earlier dates are actually from 1984. These silver labels were also reused in the 2016 reissues of Slayer's Show No Mercy album. Additionally, some releases sold in 1987 featured these silver labels but were likely old stock distributed in new sleeves.

Mercyful Fate is a heavy metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark. Formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann, the band quickly gained recognition for their influential sound. With the "classic" line-up of King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner on guitar, Timi Hansen on bass, and Kim Ruzz on drums, Mercyful Fate released several EPs and LPs that solidified their status as one of the most influential metal bands of the early 1980s.

Known for King Diamond's blasphemous lyrics and theatrical stage presence, Mercyful Fate was often associated with the first wave of black metal. However, musically they were closer to bands like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden. In 1985, the band split as Shermann decided to pursue a more commercial direction. King Diamond embarked on a successful solo career with Denner and Hansen joining him.

The legend of Mercyful Fate continued to grow after their split. The classic line-up reunited in 1993 for a new album but without Kim Ruzz. Throughout the 1990s, they carried on while King Diamond pursued his solo career. Despite lineup changes over the years, including Michael Denner's departure in 1996 and Timi Hansen's battle with cancer until his passing in 2019, Mercyful Fate remained an iconic force in heavy metal music.

Not many bands can claim to be as influential as Mercyful Fate. As one of the early purveyors of true metal, the band's impact is felt far and wide; from the new wave of black metals' Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir to international metal gods Megadeth and Metallica. 1996's Into the Unknown features the killer track The Uninvited Guest and accompanying video which current has over 1.3 Million views on Youtube.

Into The Unknown

Music GB

Discover Into The Unknown by Mercyful Fate. Influential true metal band with killer track "The Uninvited Guest". Label: Metal Blade.