Customer Reviews

Don't Break the Oath

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This album is quite simply a classic. It is one of the most beautiful, artistic, dark albums ever created and this is why it is such a masterpiece. The sheer class of this album carries an aura of blasphemous, but quality, music.

The only downfall, which is a typical criticism thrown at the band, is King Diamond lyrics and vocals. The falsetto vocals while not my scene, are bearable, but I would be lying if I said they didn't take away from the album. Then theres the lyrics. I don't care that they're evil. It's just they're quite ridiculous, simplistic, innane. The vocabulary is stupid.

Nonetheless, when one gets past that (which is not that hard to do), one will realise this album is one of the most perfect, understated albums ever. Hank Shermann is definitly amongst the best musicians to come out of the metal genre. His songwriting is the work of a genius. No lies.

Turning attention to the actual songs now...the only let down's are Welcome Princess of Hell, and (to a lesser degree), To One Far Away. All the others are absolute gems. My personal favourite is Nightmare. I can't believe I never hear anyone rave about that song. It's amazing.

Anyway, DO NOT HESITATE TO GET THIS! A metal collection without this is simply less of a thing. Only a fool would sideline this. This is heavy metal/thrash at it's poetic best.

This is MF's 2nd and groundbreaking album folks, released in '84. So it was just totally crazy for back then. It's even ranked as #1 on Metal-Rules site's Top 50 Extreme Metal Albums list. That's what originally turned me on to MF since they described the album as influential and amazing as Master of Puppets, Screaming for Vengeance, and Number of the Beast. So I of course was immediately intrigued with them and luckily found this album at my used CD store. First a review of the album.

Dangerous Meeting 9/10 Solid opener with fierce drumming and guitar choppin'. KD wastes no time blasting your helpless ear drums with his insane voice. Actually the guitar work in this one in particular goes very well along with his singing.

Nightmare 10/10 The vocals are just seething on this track, especially in certain parts. I love it when KD throws in some of his cool "cookie monster" growling here. Ironically, this was one of the songs at first that made me not like KD, but now it's one of my favorite MF songs!

Desecration of Souls 10/10 Another MF classic with those "cookie monster vocals" to open it up. I mean after that you know it's gonna be a killer song. The drumming in particular was really awesome and right on key on here. Dare I say it even has a catchy chorus perhaps? Yeah I said it. Another one of my favorite MF songs.

The Oath 9/10 Wow, talk about a creepy intro! You hear rain start to pour, then spine-tingling organ music as if you were watching the beginning of a horrow movie and the camera was focusing in on Dracula's lair or something. This is the 'epic' song of the album clocking in at 7 mins. This is the song you play (and the whole album) if you wanna have a kick-@$$ halloween party or play it at your cult gatherings.

Gypsy 9/10 Now we come to the 2nd shortest song (3 mins). However, it still kicks arse. Starts out with some hard guitar playing and doesn't stop. It has not 1 but 2 awesome solos in it too!

Princess of Hell 10/10 Personally I love this one a lot, I don't know why. The heavy riff that's repeated in this one I just find really appealing and the echoing effect they use in the singing.

To One Far Away 8/10 Don't get me wrong I like this mini-instrumental I just wish they could have made it longer, but it is a nice relaxing treat for ya. It's only 1:30.

Come to the Sabbath 9/10 Great closer with hard-hittin' riffs once again. King and the band still have plenty of energy in their music to inflict fear onto the listener. This one has the best solo IMHO.

Secondly I have to say that yeah it's true folks, King Diamond's voice is just insane and his falsetto piercing cries are indeed an acquired taste as a previous reviewer mentioned. Honestly, when I first heard him (it was on this album) I didn't like it AT ALL. I was really surprised too since I love Dickinson and Halford so I wasn't gonna give up on this one. Thankfully I was paying attention to the music and the music is really awesome. Mike Denner and Hank Sherman are very underrated guitarists. Being the open-minded dude I am, I gave it some more listens and of course it grew on me! Everytime I listen to it I like it better. So if you don't like him at first, take it from me, give him another chance you probably won't regret it.

Recommendations- Of course Melissa, The Beginning so you get to hear the killer original '82 EP, KD's solo band, Venom, Celtic Frost, Slayer, Kreator, etc.

P.S. You know what's a great use for this album? If you have a teenage sister like I do, if you have to drive her and her friend or two to the mall just BLAST this all the way there! People like that (who listen to modern rap and crap) absolutely hate it!! Ok now I'm done.

Never would you think that Mercyful Fate could come up with another masterpiece after their debut with "Melissa", but somehow, they did! "Don't Break the Oath" continues Fate's melodic, thrash, crunching guitar sound, King's growling, melodic and high octave singing, and bass playing never to heard again like this on any Fate or Diamond release. Without this albums' influence, many a heavy metal/garage band/ect would not be around. The album is also mixed incredibly, it really gives a feeling of atmosphere. And the minute keyboard effects certainly help it maintain its creepy and eerie sensation. Too much has been said, and sometimes I feel I can't review it with authority. But being around when it was released, and still finding something new everytime I listen to it, really gives this recording its' immortality in the metal world. Highly influencial, and undeniably classic metal.

Folks, you better know that Fate are one of the original Black Metal pioneers, and in my opinion the greatest. Venom was cool, but goofy and totally untalented; Celtic Frost were great and then became a bunch of posers; Along with Bathory, Mercyful Fate created a lifestyle and an entire genre. Fate features intelligently written Satanic lyrics (Diamond knows what he's singing about), excellent guitar work and a supreme bass and drum foundation...and of course those vocals! Satan himself would not sound so wicked. Kids, this is for real and this is the best album. Do yourself a HUGE favour and pick up this cd. Any Black Metal warrior should have this in their collection. My personal fave..."Night of the Unborn" Ave Satanas...Regi Satanas...Hail!

Look no further if you seek the ULTIMATE Black Metal opus. This CD will have you gripping your arm chair when you slip on your headphones on a dark winters night to enter through the gates that lead to Mercyful Fate's blackened world. With King Diamond's operatic "dead choir boy from Hell" vocal stylings to the magnificant twin duel axe work of Denner and Sherman the band unleashed the most atmospheric and captivating walk on the darkside ever recorded. Each track is a musical event unto itself, be it attending a seance at 'A Dangerous Meeting' or to evil possession through dreams in 'Nightmare' all bases of the Black Arts are visited. Key and tempo changes abound but in measure and without intentionally perplexing the listener to the point of disregard this time around. We still have an epic in 'The Oath' being a sinister recreation of attending a Black Mass ceremony. The opening storm, bell chime and evil satanic laugh will have you splashing Holy Water like aftershave before a hot date. We have a couple of more commercial almost radio friendly (almost) songs in 'Desecreation of Souls' and 'Gypsy' both of which are excellent. These songs demonstrated that the band was brave enough to experiment with melody even amongst a Black Metal congregation. At the end of it all it is really this CD's ability to paint musical landscapes that transport you to places where only evil dwells that makes the release such a triumph. It is like reading a book with your ears and not your eyes. Indeed next to Venom's 'Black Metal' this is an essential purchase of this genre. So come to the Sabbath, you know...down by that ruined bridge..just remember you may never be the same again. Are you prepared to buy the Oath?

In my humble opinion this is "the" black metal album of all time only challenged by "Black Metal" by Venom.The atmospherics of this CD truely make you believe you are there living out each scene. Highlights are many but how about the mighty "Gypsy" or "Desecration Of Souls". Listen to this stuff with the lights off on a stormy night and you'll be looking over your shoulder. This one has never be surpassed.....simply awesome!

This is Mercyful Fate's most mature work. King Diamond's vocals are spectacular. Mike Denner and Hank shermann are two of the better axemen in the business. A Dangerous Meeting, Gypsy and the classic Come to the Sabbath create a strong core for the album. The Oath is an eerie sound effects piece which is one of Mercyful Fate's finest songs, instrumentally and vocally. This is a must-have for any metal fan.