Don't Break the Oath [Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued]

Mercyful Fate | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• ASIN: B000000H42
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,929 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best from Mercyful Fate, May 8, 2005

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Break the Oath (Audio CD)

After their Roadrunner debut "Melissa" became an underground hit, "Don't Break the Oath" found Mercyful Fate at their apex. Loaded with satanic lyrics, incredibly complex guitar melodies, and King Diamond's eerie voice, "Don't Break the Oath" is one of the best albums to ever be found in black metal. "A Dangerous Meeting", "Desecration of Souls", "The Oath", and "Come to the Sabbath" are Mercyful Fate classics, and even the instrumental "To One Far Away" is pure metal joy. The band would breakup not long after "Don't Break the Oath"'s initial release before getting back together some years later, but nothing they released since has compared to how powerful this album is. Contrary to what a previous reviewer has stated, it's no secret that Mercyful Fate and King Diamond are not for everyone. Yes, King's voice is an acquired taste to say the least, but this reviewer knows of fewer frontmen that can do lyrically and musically what King Diamond can; that's why he's been around for over 20 years. And I wouldn't necessarily call Dio "real aggressive, kick a$$ metal" either.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Heavy Metal, July 12, 2003

By 

Brian Saacks (New Orleans,LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Break the Oath (Audio CD)

Before metal turned into speed, anger, and insanity, there were bands who had singers who sang(and with vocal range),guitarists who could play cool riffs,and drummers who could play heavy grooves without double bass thunder. This album came out at the same time that "extreme" metal was taking flight, but it retains what I feel that thrash and death metal lost in an effort to kick it up a notch....that being the elements of early Maiden and Priest, the ability to make kick[ing] rock music.I would put this album up there with Sabbath's "MASTER OF REALITY", Priest's "STAINED CLASS" and Maiden's "NUMBER OF THE BEAST" as essential metal.I've heard that King Diamond's voice bothers some people,I don't see why because it fits the music perfectly. His vocal ability coupled with the dark lyrics create a cool eerieness and the tempo changes in the music is something that(for me),good metal should have. I've heard some of what's called Progressive Metal now, and the singers [are bad], the players create no tension with their playing, it just seems BLAH! I listen to all different kinds of music now that I'm older but if I were going to put in a METAL album to jam on...this would be it!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gates Of Hell Are Open!, June 26, 2001

By 

Steven Whitehurst "Author" (Calumet City, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Break the Oath (Audio CD)

This has to be Satan's favorite band! This also has to be his favorite album, and I'm sure that he's blasting it in the pits of hell even now! This album is full of demons, devils, satanic pacts, and truly great metal! From top to bottom this recording is full of outstanding music! The highlights are "A Dangerous Meeting," "Desecration Of Souls," "Night Of The Unborn," "The Oath," "Welcome Princess Of Hell," and "Come To The Sabbath." With wickedly great vocals from King Diamond and outstanding play from Michael Denner (Lead Guitar), Hank Shermann (Lead Guitar), Timi G. Hansen (Bass) and Kim Ruzz (Drums), this piece of dark metal is classic! This is certainly the best album ever produced by Mercyful Fate or King Diamond! Buy "Don't Break The Oath" if you like great heavy metal, but keep your holy water near.