Mercyful Fate played heavy metal that was summoned from the underworld, stuffed into a leather jacket, and sent screaming into the night. While lesser bands were writing songs about dragons and beer, King Diamond and company were crafting evil symphonies drenched in Satanic mysticism, baroque riffing, and falsettos that could shatter stained glass. You want metal that actually feels dangerous? Step right up. These are the top 3 Mercyful Fate albums you need to hear before you die—or before the Devil comes to collect your soul.

3. In the Shadows (1993)

After nearly a decade in the abyss, Mercyful Fate clawed their way back with In the Shadows, proving that time hadn’t dulled their edge—if anything, they sounded even hungrier. This album is like stumbling upon a forgotten grimoire in a candlelit dungeon, its pages dripping with ominous energy. ‘Egypt’ sets the stage with a creeping, mystical atmosphere, while ‘The Bell Witch’ smashes you over the head with spectral fury. It’s not just a comeback; it’s a statement: Mercyful Fate never lost their sinister touch.

2. Melissa (1983)

This is the sound of heavy metal diving headfirst into the abyss. Melissa isn’t just an album; it’s an unholy sermon delivered by the High Priest of the Underworld himself, King Diamond. From the chugging menace of ‘Evil’ to the eerie, mournful title track, every note is soaked in dread. Hank Shermann and Michael Denner’s guitars duel like sorcerers locked in battle, while King’s shrieks could raise the dead. This is where it all began—the first unholy scripture of Mercyful Fate’s gospel.

1. Don’t Break the Oath (1984)

If Melissa was the invocation, Don’t Break the Oath is the full-blown ritual. This isn’t just Mercyful Fate’s best album—it’s one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever forged in hellfire. ‘The Oath’ drags you into its demonic grip with an incantation that sounds like it was lifted straight from a forbidden tome. ‘A Dangerous Meeting’ is an electrified séance. ‘Come to the Sabbath’? That’s not a song; it’s an invitation to forsake the light forever. The guitars wail like tormented spirits, and King Diamond ascends to otherworldly heights. This is the sound of heavy metal achieving total transcendence—dark, theatrical, and utterly untouchable.

Mercyful Fate influenced metal as they rewired it, injecting black magic into its DNA. Without them, there’s no black metal, no thrash as we know it, no legions of corpse-painted maniacs screeching about the abyss. If you haven’t let Melissa sink its claws into your soul or Don’t Break the Oath lead you to the dark side, what are you even doing with your life? Spin these records loud, and prepare for the pact—you won’t be coming back the same.