Michael Denner and Hank Shermann, the original Danish guitar players of MERCYFUL FATE’s legendary “Melissa” and “Don’t Break the Oath” albums, have created a new classic in the “Satan’s Tomb” EP, which was released on October 2 via Metal Blade Records. These songs were crafted with the MERCYFUL FATE worldwide legion of fans at the forefront of the duo’s collective minds. From the first riff to the last wail, one cannot help but feel the magic newly recaptured once again.
The band, which is simply called DENNER/SHERMANN, calls into service a formidable group of allies who were capable of helping realize this menagerie of malice, was a task carefully orchestrated by these metal mad scientists. Shermann first called upon Marc Grabowski (DEMONICA) to handle the bass guitar, followed by the only drummer that made sense for many obvious aspects, the one known as Snowy Shaw (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL). Many voices were considered, but fate lead them to Sean Peck (CAGE, DEATH DEALER). He was not only a fan but had the versatile vocal skills to make the new songs come to life like their fans would expect.
Said Denner: “Creating these songs with this lineup really ignited my metal fire hotter than ever! I’m sure the fans are going to love this thing.”
Added Shermann: “This mix ended up really having an old-school feel to it that sounds awesome when blasting at an unhealthy volume.”
Stated Peck: “Being invited to collaborate with these two guys who had such a profound, major impact on my indoctrination to metal, has been absolutely killer! And now we are continuing to write more material for a full-length release too. My mind is officially blown!”
The EP was recorded in the USA, Denmark and Sweden and was mixed by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The mastering was done by Maor Applebaum in Los Angeles, California.
The “Satan’s Tomb” cover artwork was painted by Thomas Holm whose work on MERCYFUL FATE’s “Melissa” and “Don’t Break The Oath” is well known throughout the metal world.
“Satan’s Tomb” track listing:
01. Satan’s Tomb
02. War Witch
03. New Gods
04. Seven Skulls
The official video for the “Satan’s Tomb” title track can be seen below.
DENNER/SHERMANN is:
Michael Denner – Guitar
Hank Shermann – Guitar
Sean Peck – Vocals
Snowy Shaw – Drums
Marc Grabowski – Bass
MERCYFUL FATE’s last studio album, “9”, was released in 1999.
MERCYFUL FATE will be remembered for its unquestionable mark on the history of metal with its innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and its influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.
In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album “Garage Inc.” Entitled “Mercyful Fate”, the medley included parts from “Satan’s Fall”, “Curse of the Pharaohs”, “A Corpse Without Soul”, “Into the Coven” and “Evil”.
Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of MERCYFUL FATE’s “Return of the Vampire” on the “In the Shadows” album, which came out in 1993.
Source: Blabbermouth
