Mercyful Fate - In The Shadows
1993 Metal Blade
by Uncle Meat

Quick Summary:
Mercyful Fate are back for your soul.  After releasing a few solo albums, King Diamond has returned with guitarists Michael Denner and Hank Sherman to make an album which the masses have been waiting for.  Although no album could ever match Melissa, In the Shadows is a valiant step in the right direction.

In The Shadows suffers form a few problems, the least of which is that it doesn't feel like a Mercyful Fate album.  Sure all the elements are here:  That voice; the guitar work; the lyrics...but something is missing.  It might be that their past albums are just too perfect, but it’s better than not having a new Mercyful Fate album at all.

Website:  www.covenworldwide.org

Song Summaries:

1. Egypt -The opening notes, slow-picked, at the beginning of this song give the false impression that this would turn out to be a slow song.  The song does slow down during the chorus, but the rest of the song is full of Mercyful Fate trademark riffing.  The solos are also particularly well done. B
2. The Bell Witch - Opening riff is an excellent foundation for this creepy song.  Denner’s and Sherman’s solos are exceptionally crisp on this track.  B
3. The Old Oak - The stale drumming on this track hold back what would otherwise be an excellent track.  The acoustic part, after the first solo, is incredible as are the solos.  C+
4. Shadows - The weakest song on the album.  Straight forward, almost plodding, song with no sense of dynamics or adventure.  C-
5. A Gruesome Time - After the disappointing Shadows, Mercyful Fate bounce back with this classic.  Strong but melodic verse/chorus, killer solos, and dark lyrics.  Even the drumming is a step above the work on other songs.  B
6. Thirteen Invitations - The bridge in this song is what makes the song.  The rest of the song is “average” Mercyful Fate.  C+
7. Room Of Golden Air - Instrumental.  Denner’s acoustic work is outstanding.  However the riff under the acoustic part, in the opening, is a monster.  Denner and Sherman do some of their best work on this song.  B+
8. Legend Of The Headless Rider - Marathon track.  Starts off with a mid-tempo riff.  King’s vocals are “godly” as always.  Things stay pretty much the same until almost 3 minutes into the song, the song picks up.  Really picks up towards the end.  B
9. Is That You, Melissa - I can’t tell if this is supposed to be a sequel or a homage to the original Melissa.  Nothing to really write home about.  Even the guitar playing can’t really elevate this track about sub-par.  C
10. Return Of The Vampire...1993 - Lars Ulrich lead his production and drum ability this this track.  Neither of which you could tell by listening to the track.  This is a remake or retelling of the song which appears on the 1992 disc Return of the Vampire.  Mid-pace but severely heavy riffing especially underneath the solo.  Too short.  The song starts to roll and then it over.  B

Average Song Rating:  B-
Overall Album Rating:  B-

Also be sure to read:
Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath by Uncle Meat
Mercyful Fate - The Beginning by Uncle Meat
Dream Evil - The Book Of Heavy Metal (Snowy Shaw) by Horatio
King Diamond - Abigail by Uncle Meat
King Diamond - Abigail II:  The Revenge by Uncle Meat
King Diamond - The Puppet Master by Uncle Meat
King Diamond - The Puppet Master by Horatio