This album has about 100 different editions.
Official Releases:
First pressing: 1982 The white border was either a misprint or the record company didn't like the look of it and changed it to black. It is unknown how many copies were released.
Second Pressing: 1982 with black border.
Third Pressing: 1982 with black border distributed by Bertus Holland
From 1987-onward this is printed as side one of the compilation Mercyful Fate - The Beginning . That version however moves track 3 ("Doomed By The Living Dead") to the beginning.
Bootleg Pressing:
First Bootleg Pressing: 2001 colored vinyl many different colors and shades. The pressing plates were not cleaned in between colors resulting in a wide range of colors, shades and mixed colors many of which are unique and one of a kind. This pressing has matrix numbers RMLP002 A and RMLP002 B , with about 3 characters of space after the "2" . There is a lyric sheet with this pressing. The records typically weigh 154 or 156 grams. The other major difference with the first bootleg pressing is if you look closely you can see horizontal lines , easiest to see on the girls legs, but present throughout the cover.
Second Bootleg Pressing: 2002: White border. Black Vinyl and 4 different colors pressed. Blue, Dark Blue, Green marbled, Dark Green marbled. This pressing has matrix numbers RMLP002 A and RMLP002 B , with about 3 characters of space after the "2" . Some copies seem to have lyric sheet. Vinyl is lighter weight about 132 grams. The horizontal lines seen on 2001 press are not found on this press.
Third Bootleg Pressing: 2004 Picture Disc 300 copies
Fourth Bootleg Pressing: 2011 In Black Vinyl , White Marbled Vinyl, Redish Purple Vinyl, Clear Vinyl and White Label Test press. Much darker sleeves. Matrix RMLP- 002A and RMLP0021- with about one character of space after the "dash" on side A matrix, with side 1 martix number running together with dash at the end. No lyric sheets. Vinyl weights seem to vary from 152-168 grams
Fifth Bootleg Pressing: 2012 In Green vinyl , Blue Vinyl, Red Vinyl, Purple Vinyl, And Yellow Vinyl. Matrix RMLP- 002A and RMLP0021- with about one character of space after the "dash" on side A matrix, with side 1 matrix number running together with dash at the end. No lyric sleeves. Vinyl weight seems to vary widely from 152-172 grams.
Sixth Bootleg Pressing: 2013 Numbered Picture Disc , Blue Cover Test Pressing (black vinyl) , White border (black vinyl) , White border numbered ediiton (black vinyl) , White border (white vinyl) , White border (yellow vinyl), White border (redish orange vinyl). No matrix number. Some copies seem to come with lyric sleeve but most do not.
Seventh Bootleg Pressing: 2014 Black Vinyl and Red marble vinyl. Bonus tracks.
This press has very dark cover
Matrix / Runout (Side A): RMLP-002-A
Matrix / Runout (Side 1): RMLP -02 -B with about one character of space after the "P" and also after the "2"
Vinyl weighs about 126 grams.
Source: Discogs.
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Mercyful Fate is a heavy metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band was formed by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann in 1981. The original MF line-up shared members with another Copenhagen band, Danger Zone, whom Diamond and Shermann were helping out. Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, and with lyrics dealing
with Satan and the occult, Mercyful Fate were part of the first wave of
black metal in the early to mid-1980s. Many of the bands from this
movement went on to influence later black metal musicians in the 1990s,
particularly in Norway. Mercyful Fate are widely considered one of the originators of the black metal sub-genre. By 1982, the "classic" Mercyful Fate line up of Diamond, Shermann, guitarist Michael Denner (ex-Brats and Danger Zone), bassist Timi "Grabber" Hansen (Danger Zone), and drummer Kim Ruzz was in place. Over the next couple years, the band would release an EP and 2 LPs that would cement their reputation as one the most influential metal bands of the early 1980s. King Diamond's blasphemous lyrics and theatrical stage presence would have many label the band as part of the 1st wave of black metal, although musically the band was closer to the style of Judas Priest or Iron Maiden. The group split in 1985, as Shermann decided he wanted to pursue a more commercial direction. King Diamond launched a solo career, taking Denner and Hansen with him, while Kim Ruzz disappeared into the regular world.
The band's legend continued to grow after their split. In 1993, the classic line up, minus Kim Ruzz, reformed for a new album, "In The Shadows". Hansen dropped out after that release but the group continued on throughout the 1990s. At the same time, King Diamond kept his own solo career going. Michael Denner left the band after 1996's "Into The Unknown" and Diamond and Sherman continued on with new players. 1999's "9" is, to date, the band's last full-length release. King Diamond has stated that MF has not split up but the band is on hold for the foreseeable future. In 2009, Diamond, Shermann, Denner, Hansen, and drummer Bjarne Holm (who has played with the group since 1994) reunited to re-record the songs "Evil" and "Curse Of The Pharoah" for the "Guitar Hero: Metallica" video game.
In 2019, the group announced they would be playing a series of live dates. The line up would include Diamond, Sherman, Wead, Holm, and bassist Joey Vera (filling in for Timi Hansen, who was battling cancer). Timi Hansen lost his battle with cancer on November 4th, 2019.
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RMLP-002
-Tracklist:
A1. A Corpse Without A Soul 6:53
A2. Nuns Have No Fun 4:17
A3. Doomed By The Living Dead 5:06
A4. Devil Eyes 5:48
A5. Black Funeral 2:52
B1. Curse Of The Pharaohs 3:50
B2. Evil 4:01
B3. Satan's Fall 10:28
B4. Black Masses 4:30
-Line up:
• King Diamond : Vocals, Lyrics
• Hank Shermann : Guitars, Songwriting
• Michael Denner : Guitars, Songwriting (track 2)
• Kim Ruzz : Drums
• Timi Grabber (R.I.P. 2019) : Bass.
Label: Rave-On Records.
This press has very dark cover
Seventh Bootleg Pressing 2014
Re-issue without lyrical sheet on coloured vinyl.
The cover is darker than the Original and even the regular re-issues.
Same track listing as "The Beginning" compilation with tracks re-ordered.
Produced and Mixed by Jac Hustinx
Side A:
Track 1 to Track 4 taken from the self-titled 12" released in 1982.
Track 5 taken from the Metallic Storm compilation released in 1982.
Side B:
Track 1 to Track 3 recorded for the BBC Friday Rock Show in 1983.
Track 4 taken from the Black Funeral 7" released in 1983.
The cover is darker than the Original and even the regular re-issues.
Rave-On Records
P.O. Box 4313
5604 EH Eindhoven
Holland
Mercyful Fate Inc.
328 Hvidovrevej 3TV
2650 Hvidovre
Denmark.
