Editing Mercyful Fate (section)

==History==
===Formation and first releases (1981–1985)===
Mercyful Fate was originally formed in [[Copenhagen]] in the spring of 1981,<ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon|editor=Bille, Torben|publisher=[[JP/Politikens Hus|Politikens Forlag]]|year=2002|isbn=87-567-6525-8|edition=1st|page=314|language=da|quote=Dannet foråret 1981 i København. [English: Formed in the spring of 1981 in Copenhagen.]}}</ref> following the dissolution of the band Brats.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Brats were a [[Punk rock|punk]]/[[Heavy metal music|metal]] band, featuring future Mercyful Fate members, vocalist [[King Diamond]], and guitarists [[Hank Shermann]] and Michael Denner.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghf8cVMstBM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ghf8cVMstBM| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=King Diamond interviewed in 1997. |date=January 19, 2009 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 9, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After two studio albums and several line-up changes (including the addition of Diamond and the departure of Denner), Diamond and Shermann began writing new material that was much heavier than any of Brats' previous work.<ref name="Interview"/> The band's record label [[Sony Music|CBS]] was not pleased with the material, and demanded they stop singing in English and become more commercial.<ref name="Interview"/> As a result, Diamond and Shermann quit the group and went on to form Mercyful Fate.<ref name="Interview"/> Former Rock Nalle bassist [[Ole Beich]] (later of [[L.A. Guns]] and [[Guns N' Roses]]) briefly joined the band around this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jv.dk/esbjerg/Esbjergs-stoerste-rockstjerne-havde-en-destruktiv-djaevel/artikel/2197991|title=Esbjergs største rockstjerne havde en destruktiv djævel|date=January 2, 2016}}</ref> After several line-up changes and semi-professional demo tapes, Mercyful Fate released their [[Mercyful Fate (EP)|self-titled EP]] in 1982.<ref name=szt>Björn Thorsten Jaschinski: ''Seziertisch''. In: ''Rock Hard'', no. 282, November 2010, p. 28.</ref><ref name="Band members"/> This line-up, consisting of King Diamond, Hank Shermann, bassist Timi Hansen, drummer Kim Ruzz and guitarist Michael Denner.<ref name="EP">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-mercyful-fate/ |title=''Mercyful Fate'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020100924/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-mercyful-fate/ |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

In July 1983, Mercyful Fate recorded their debut album at Easy Sound Recording, in Copenhagen, Denmark.<ref name="Melissa">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-melissa/ |title=''Melissa'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020100828/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-melissa/ |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Entitled ''[[Melissa (Mercyful Fate album)|Melissa]]'', the album was produced by Henrik Lund and released on October 30, 1983 through [[Roadrunner Records]].<ref name="Melissa"/> ''Melissa'' has been referred to as "one of the first records to start to develop an '[[extreme metal]]' sound" and was major influence on the then-emerging [[thrash metal]], [[death metal]] and [[black metal]] genres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thisdayinmetal.com/feature/versus-melissa-vs-abigail/|title=VERSUS: Melissa vs. Abigail|website=thisdayinmetal.com|access-date=5 July 2024|date=24 May 2024}}</ref> The character of Melissa, a [[witch]] who was burned at the stake, appears for the first time on the eponymous debut album and intermittently throughout the band's later work.<ref>{{cite news |title=The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/the-50-most-evil-songs-ever/ |access-date=July 20, 2019 |publisher=Kerrang!}}</ref> One of the album's tracks, "Into the Coven", received particular attention two years later, when it was listed by the [[Parents Music Resource Center]] (PMRC) as one of their "Filthy Fifteen" songs due to its perceived occult content.<ref name="PMRC"/> King Diamond was, in reality, interested in [[LaVeyan Satanism]], which he called "a life philosophy" and stated that it had nothing to do with [[Satan|the Devil]] of [[Abrahamic religions]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Heavy Metal – 40 år med hård rock |author=Rasmussen, Jens|publisher=[[Dagbladet Information|Informations Forlag]]|year=2010|isbn=978-87-7514-2590|edition=1st|page=138|language=da|quote=LaVey, som også var en ironisk mand, skabte en livsfilosofi, der ikke havde noget med religion at gøre, hvor der fandtes én Gud, der sagde, hvordan man skulle gøre [...] Ordet 'satanisme' skulle måske aldrig have været sat på den livsfilosofi, for det har kun givet grund til misforståelser og har ikke noget at gøre med kristendommens 'Satan', som er ét stort negativt fortegn. De 'satanistiske' tekster i Mercyful Fate gav os chancen for at forklare os på mange områder, men på samme tid gav de også anledning til en masse misforståelser. [English: LaVey, who was also a man given to irony, created a life philosophy, which had nothing to do with a religion that has one God, who says what one must do [...] The word 'Satanism' should perhaps never have been used to designate that life philosophy, because it has only provided grounds for misunderstandings and has nothing to do with 'Satan' of Christianity, which is one big negative characteristic. The 'satanic' lyrics of Mercyful Fate gave us the chance to explain ourselves in many ways, but they also gave the opportunity for a lot of misunderstandings at the same time.]}}</ref> After a number of concerts around Denmark, Mercyful Fate entered the studio in May 1984 to record their second studio album ''[[Don't Break the Oath]]'', which was released on September 7, 1984.<ref name="Don't Break the Oath">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-dont-break-the-oath/ |title=''Don't Break the Oath'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701225755/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-dont-break-the-oath/ |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the album's supporting tour, the band played the US for two months and made festival appearances in Germany.<ref name="YouTube #1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Io9kAl76NM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/1Io9kAl76NM| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=King Diamond - Interview |date=May 19, 2009 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 8, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Despite winning a [[cult following]] around the world, Mercyful Fate broke up in April 1985, due to musical differences.<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mercyful-fate-mn0000343954 |title=Mercyful Fate |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=December 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name="YouTube #1"/><ref name="Music Box">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a89uYy8su2k | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214019/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a89uYy8su2k| archive-date=2014-06-10 | url-status=dead|title=King Diamond interviewed on the Music Box |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 8, 2012}}</ref> Guitarist Hank Shermann wanted the band to move to a more commercial sound;<ref name="Allmusic"/> King Diamond refused and announced his departure from Mercyful Fate, which led to the band breaking up.<ref name="YouTube #1"/>

===After disbanding (1985–1992)===
After Mercyful Fate broke up in 1985, King Diamond, along with Michael Denner and [[Timi Hansen]], formed the eponymous [[King Diamond (band)|King Diamond]] band.<ref name="bandhistory02">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070127114717/http://www.covenworldwide.org/bandhistory02.php The complete biography of King Diamond]</ref><ref name="YouTube #1"/><ref name="Music Box"/> Both Denner and Hansen stayed with the group until 1987's ''[[Abigail (album)|Abigail]]'', after which both left King Diamond.<ref name="King Diamond band members"/> They were replaced by [[Mike Moon (musician)|Mike Moon]] and Hal Patino, respectively, and King Diamond continued releasing albums even after Mercyful Fate had reformed.<ref name="King Diamond band members"/> After leaving King Diamond, Denner opened up a recordshop in Copenhagen, until 1988, when he formed the band Lavina (which would later become Zoser Mez), along with former bandmate Hank Shermann.<ref name="King Diamond band members"/><ref name="YouTube #2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvPWdAk1Fg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/npvPWdAk1Fg| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=King Diamond - Interview 1987 |date=May 19, 2009 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 9, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2020}} Hank Shermann had formed the hard rock band [[Fate (band)|Fate]] in 1985, after having left Mercyful Fate.<ref name="Fate Allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fate-mn0001571766 |title=Fate |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> With Fate, Shermann released two albums: 1985's ''Fate'' and 1986's ''[[A Matter of Attitude]]''.<ref name="Fate Allmusic"/> After leaving the band, Shermann joined-up with Michael Denner to form Lavina.<ref name="Fate Allmusic"/>

During the time Mercyful Fate were disbanded, Roadrunner Records released three Mercyful Fate [[compilation album]]s. ''[[The Beginning (Mercyful Fate album)|The Beginning]]'' was released on June 24, 1987, and featured material from the band's 1982 self-titled EP, as well as rare live and studio recordings.<ref name="The Beginning">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-the-beginning/ |title=''The Beginning'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118073523/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-the-beginning/ |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 12, 1992, ''[[Return of the Vampire]]'' was released, which was another compilation of rare studio recordings.<ref name="Return of the Vampire">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-return-of-the-vampire/ |title=''Return of the Vampire'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190442/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-return-of-the-vampire/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 6, 1992, Roadrunner Records released ''[[A Dangerous Meeting]]'', a greatest hits album under the King Diamond name, featuring material from both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond.<ref name="A Dangerous Meeting">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/king-diamond-a-dangerous-meeting/ |title=''A Dangerous Meeting'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185911/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/king-diamond-a-dangerous-meeting/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Reunion (1992–1999)===
In 1992, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited to reform Mercyful Fate (drummer Kim Ruzz was replaced by Morten Nielsen).<ref name="Band members">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/mercyful-fate-band-members/ |title=Mercyful Fate - Band members |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622073012/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/mercyful-fate-band-members/ |archive-date=June 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The result was the band's third album ''[[In the Shadows (album)|In the Shadows]]'', which was released on June 22, 1993 through [[Metal Blade Records]].<ref name="In the Shadows">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-in-the-shadows/ |title=''In the Shadows'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904032104/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-in-the-shadows/ |archive-date=September 4, 2012 }}</ref> The album also featured a guest appearance by [[Metallica]] drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] (a fellow Dane) on the track "Return of the Vampire".<ref name="In the Shadows"/> For the album's supporting tour, Morten Nielsen was replaced by King Diamond drummer [[Snowy Shaw]], due to a knee injury Nielsen had sustained.<ref name="Band members"/> Bassist Timi Hansen was also replaced by [[Sharlee D'Angelo]], as Hansen did not want to take part in touring.<ref name="Band members"/><ref name="About">{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/archenemyinterv_2.htm |title=Sharlee D'Angelo Interview |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023202437/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/archenemyinterv_2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2020}} On June 27, 1994, the band released ''[[The Bell Witch (EP)|The Bell Witch]]'', an EP of live tracks, as well as studio recordings from ''In the Shadows''.<ref name="The Bell Witch">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-the-bell-witch/ |title=''The Bell Witch'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214012859/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-the-bell-witch/ |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:King Diamond live 1999.jpg|thumb|upright|[[King Diamond]] performing with Mercyful Fate in 1999]]
On October 25, 1994, Mercyful Fate released its fourth album ''[[Time (Mercyful Fate album)|Time]]'', which was recorded and mixed at the Dallas Sound Lab during May and August of that year.<ref name="Time">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-time/ |title=''Time'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904031657/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-time/ |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the album's release, drummer Snowy Shaw was replaced by Bjarne T. Holm for the Time Tour.<ref name="Band members"/> Holm had originally been asked to join Mercyful Fate back in 1981, but had declined due to prior commitments.<ref name="Band members"/> The band spent January through February 1996 recording and mixing their next album ''[[Into the Unknown (Mercyful Fate album)|Into the Unknown]]'', which was released on August 20, 1996.<ref name="Into the Unknown">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-time/ |title=''Into the Unknown'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904031657/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-time/ |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the album's release, guitarist Michael Denner left the band and was replaced by [[Mike Wead]].<ref name="Band members"/> In October 1997, Mercyful Fate began recording its sixth album ''[[Dead Again (Mercyful Fate album)|Dead Again]]'' at the Nomad Recording Studio in [[Carrollton, Texas]].<ref name="Dead Again">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-dead-again/ |title=''Dead Again'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215070649/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-dead-again/ |archive-date=December 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Dead Again'' was released on June 9, 1998.<ref name="Dead Again"/> In February 1999, Mercyful Fate began recording its seventh studio album ''[[9 (Mercyful Fate album)|9]]'', which was released on June 15, 1999.<ref name="Nine">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-9/ |title=''9'' at KingDiamondCoven.com |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215065942/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/discography/mercyful-fate-9/ |archive-date=December 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Hiatus and sporadic reunions (1999–2018)===
After the supporting tour for ''9'', Mercyful Fate was put on hiatus. King Diamond focused on his eponymous band, along with guitarist Mike Wead, who joined the group during the European ''[[House of God (album)|House of God]]'' tour.<ref name="King Diamond band members">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/king-diamond-band-members/ |title=King Diamond - Band members |publisher=KingDiamondCoven.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709010035/http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/king-diamond-band-members/ |archive-date=July 9, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hank Shermann and Bjarne T. Holm reunited with Michael Denner to form Force of Evil, while Sharlee D'Angelo joined the band [[Arch Enemy]].<ref name="Force of Evil">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/Force%20of%20Evil-MN0000660617 |title=Force of Evil |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> When asked about the current state of the band in 2008, Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", and that "it's definitely not finished, at least in my book."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92517 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - KING DIAMOND: MERCYFUL FATE 'Is Definitely Not Finished, At Least In My Book' |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422014547/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92517 |archive-date=April 22, 2008 }}</ref> In August 2008, King Diamond was asked by [[Metallica]] drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] if Mercyful Fate would be willing to participate in [[Activision]]'s ''[[Guitar Hero: Metallica]]'' video game.<ref name="Guitar Hero">{{cite web | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=115135 | title = King Diamong Comments On 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' Game Inclusion | date = February 26, 2009 | access-date = December 8, 2012 | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090301115003/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=115135 | archive-date = March 1, 2009 }}</ref> Ulrich requested the original masters for two of the band's songs, so they could be used in the game.<ref name="Guitar Hero"/> Unable to locate them, Diamond suggested to Activision the band re-record the songs, and as a result, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner, Timi Hansen and Bjarne T. Holm reunited to re-record the songs "Evil" and "Curse of the Pharaohs".<ref name="Guitar Hero"/> King Diamond was also made into a playable character in the game.<ref name="Guitar Hero"/>

On December 7, 2011, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner and Timi Hansen reunited onstage at Metallica's 30th Anniversary concert, at the Fillmore in [[San Francisco, California]], where they, alongside Metallica, performed the latter's "Mercyful Fate" medley from ''[[Garage Inc.]]''<ref name=GWorld>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/metallica-joined-mercyful-fate-anthrax-armored-saint-members-second-30th-anniversary-show |title=Metallica Joined by Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, Armored Saint Members for Second 30th Anniversary Show |publisher=[[Guitar World|GuitarWorld.com]] |date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=December 8, 2012}}</ref>

On January 28, 2017, the original line-up of Mercyful Fate (minus Diamond) reunited to receive the Pioneer Prize at the [[Steppeulven]] ceremony by the Danish Association of Music Critics at the [[Bremen Teater (Copenhagen)|Bremen Teater]] in Copenhagen. This was the first time drummer Kim Ruzz appeared with the band since the 1985 split.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2017-01-30 |title=MERCYFUL FATE Honored At Denmark's STEPPEULVEN Awards |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-honored-at-denmarks-steppeulven-awards/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

===Full-time reunion (2019–present)===
[[File:Mercyful Fate (52202517675).jpg|thumb|upright|Mercyful Fate performing in 2022]]
On August 1, 2019, it was announced that Mercyful Fate would be performing an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe in the summer of 2020. The band's line-up consists of King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann on guitar, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, Mike Wead on guitar and [[Joey Vera]] on bass, the latter of whom was filling in for Timi Hansen, who was battling cancer;<ref>{{cite web|author=Andrew Sacher|title=Mercyful Fate's Timi Hansen sitting out reunion tour because he's battling cancer|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/mercyful-fates-timi-hansen-sitting-out-reunion-tour-because-hes-battling-cancer/|publisher=[[BrooklynVegan]]|access-date=August 13, 2019|date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> Vera then became their full-time bass player after Hansen died on November 4, 2019, shortly after his 61st birthday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-bassist-timi-hansen-dies-after-battle-with-cancer/|title=MERCYFUL FATE Bassist TIMI HANSEN Dies After Battle With Cancer|date=November 4, 2019|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> Aside from previously released material, the band was also going to perform new songs over the course of the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-to-reunite-for-appearance-at-denmarks-copenhell-festival/ |title= MERCYFUL FATE To Reunite For Summer 2020 European Festival Appearances |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=August 1, 2019 |access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>

In a May 2020 interview with Heavy magazine, Shermann said that he had "written six or seven songs" for the band's new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heavymag.com.au/mercyful-fate-return-to-their-origins/|author=Griffiths, Dave|title=MERCYFUL FATE Return To Their Origins|website=heavymag.com.au|date=April 30, 2020 }}</ref> On June 2, 2022, Mercyful Fate performed their first live show since 1999 in [[Hanover]] as part of a European tour, where they debuted a brand new song titled "The Jackal of Salzburg".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/king-diamond-says-mercyful-fate-will-play-new-nine-minute-song-on-upcoming-tour-its-quite-a-monster|title=KING DIAMOND Says MERCYFUL FATE Will Play New Nine-Minute Song On Upcoming Tour: 'It's Quite A Monster'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=May 29, 2022 |accessdate=May 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/av/mercyful-fate-played-their-first-show-in-23-years-and-they-sounded-fantastic|author=Kennelty, Greg|title=MERCYFUL FATE Played Their First Show In 23 Years And They Sounded Fantastic|date=June 3, 2022 |accessdate=June 3, 2022}}</ref>

On January 16, 2024, Mercyful Fate announced that they had "mutually decided to split ways" with Vera.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-parts-ways-with-bassist-joey-vera|title=MERCYFUL FATE Parts Ways With Bassist JOEY VERA|date=January 16, 2024|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> Three days later, it was announced Becky Baldwin was the new bassist of the band, who filled in for Vera during the band's 2022 tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mercyful-fate-announces-new-bass-player-becky-baldwin|title=MERCYFUL FATE Announces New Bass Player BECKY BALDWIN|date=January 19, 2024|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|accessdate=January 19, 2024}}</ref> In the following month, Baldwin stated that the new Mercyful Fate album is not expected to be released before 2025, due to [[King Diamond]]'s focus on his [[King Diamond (band)|namesake band]]'s upcoming thirteenth studio album ''The Institute''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-mercyful-fate-music-in-on-the-way-says-bassist-becky-baldwin|title=New MERCYFUL FATE Music Is 'On The Way', Says Bassist BECKY BALDWIN|date=February 12, 2024|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|accessdate=February 12, 2024}}</ref>