Customer Reviews

Melissa

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

MUSIC
Technically, Mercyful Fate's debut LP is slightly patchy and derivative, particularly of early Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, although in parts it is more ambitious than those bands' major works, in a `proggy' kind of way. It also sounds a bit dated in parts. In terms of originality, craftsmanship, instrumental prowess, and King Diamond's application of his unique and controversial voice and vocal range, it was comprehensively surpassed by Diamond's later solo classics (particularly Them, Conspiracy, and The Eye), and even by Mercyful Fate's 1993 reunion album, In The Shadows (although I prefer the more dynamic rhythm section on Melissa than those on The Eye or In The Shadows).

What puts this album in a supreme league of its own is a wickedly powerful aura that builds up throughout the album, which is something that no amount of musical training can achieve, and no review can adequately reflect. Reviewer `stevex3' gives us a taste when he says "I'm sure that this CD gets played at every gathering of demons," but you really cannot have any idea what that means unless you experience this album for yourself (preferably played loud in the dark), as different people will experience it differently, and will undoubtedly have a hard time explaining their experience.

LYRICS
You'll find a lot of people dismissing this album because of the overtly `Satanic' lyrics.

Firstly, I listen to music for its sonic qualities, rather than its lyrical content. If I am interested in philosophical ideas or stories I can always read a good book, watch a good film, or communicate with a person who has devoted his/her life to a particular field of thought. It's a good bonus when an artist that makes good music uses it to communicate thoughts and ideas that I can relate to, or are simply interesting, but good lyrics do not make good music, good music doesn't necessarily require any lyrics at all, and the voice can be used as a musical instrument without any lyrics at all. Really lame lyrics can sometimes compromise a great sonic experience, but only if they are sung in a way that makes their content really stick out. Fortunately for those who may be put off by the lyrics on Melissa, Diamond's extreme vocal acrobatics are such that very deliberate attention to the lyrical content is required to make out what he is saying.

Secondly, the `anti-Satanism' whiners seem to overlook the fact that Diamond is a THEATRICAL musician and vocalist. I can't speak for all the whiners, but I am amazed at how many of them are entertained by all sorts of shock and horror movies, or other representations of violent and/or racially and/or sexually degrading themes and images, yet they dismiss brilliant music because it conveys `Satanic'/evil tales or fantasies. Wake up and smell your thoughtless self-contradictions!

Thirdly, let's assume that at least some of the "Satanic' content on this album is an accurate expression of King Diamond's personal desires or convictions. As a person who relates strongly with the teachings of Christ, as distinct from the distortions of most subsequent leaders of organized Christianity, I find it very disturbing that many people have no problem facilitating religious, political and economic oligarchs who satisfy their greed and megalomania at the expense of the livelihood of millions, yet they cry outrage when some comparatively insignificant singer expresses his twisted imagination or fantasies on a record. Wake up and smell your hypocrisy!

Fourthly, any genuine opponent of `Satanic' ideas should benefit from informing himself/herself as to what these `Satanists' truly stand for and why, as distinct from what the media or your average Christian activist or passive Christian might suggest they stand for. Although I doubt that this album is very reflective of the band's true convictions, I do know that King Diamond subscribes to some `Satanic Bible' by Anton Lavey, which apparently does not propagate any Satanic WORSHIP, but is merely a critique of Christianity (something that I suspect should probably be blamed on the false prophets who dominate organized Christianity). Wake up and empower yourself!

BOTTOM LINE
Regardless of the lyrical content of this album, if you are an enthusiast for heavy and unique music you must experience it. It is one of the most powerful `underground' Metal albums ever.

I'm sure that this CD gets played at every gathering of demons. In fact, it has to be on the personal playlist of Satan himself! This is perfect Halloween and witching hour music. In all seriousness, this album is full of truly great metal! In my opinion "Melissa" ranks only behind "Don't Break The Oath" in terms of Mercyful Fate's greatest work!"Evil," "Curse Of The Pharoahs," "At The Sound Of The Demon Bell," "Corpse Without Soul," "Into The Coven," "Black Funeral," "Satan's Fall," and "Melissa" are all outstanding songs. "Satan's Fall" is long, but good. "Melissa," a song written to remember those who died as a result of the witchhunts in medieval Europe, is a classic by any standard!Early Mercyful Fate exudes greatness! The work on the "Nuns Have No Fun" EP, "Melissa," and "Don't Break The Oath" proves that. The music is very powerful! Michael Denner is outstanding on lead guitar, as is Hank Shermann! Kim Ruzz is great on drums, Timi Hansen is an awesome bassist, and of course King Diamond is a vocal giant! Grab this CD and start your descent into hell today.

melissa is by far one the best metal albums of this century.songs like evil,curse of the pharoh.satans fall.these guys here set the stage for following most the metal bands today even you big wigs like metallica have these guys as influences..mercyful fate are one the most darkest,bands of there times.king diamond has the most awesome vocal style of all metal singers and he is a true legend of his time and will always be a legend like ozzy or iron maiden,king is one the main founding fathers of metal....and melissa is a must be have in your metal collection if ya dont have it i recommend you get it.

Merciful Fate had a lot more to do with the sound of american metal bands, particularly Metallica and Slayer, than people realize. If you've never heard this before, give it a listen and then tell me with a straight face that this wasn't the major inspiration behind the first 3 Slayer releases and also a strong influence in early Metallica. Your average Metallica and Slayer fan doesn't even know who these guys were, and that's too bad - there is some very fine heavy riffs here. Sure, Diamond is goofy, and his lyrics are stupid, but that's all part of the fun. As silly as King is, he surely has to have the highest screaming falsetto in all of metal - anything higher pitched would be in the dog whistle range. All in all - fun for those not afraid of goofy satan metal that rocks pretty hard.

"Melissa" the first full length Mercyful Fate album is the best album either King Diamond or Mercyful Fate have released. From beginning to end the album is awesome, every track is a classic. From the killer "Evil" to the catchy "Curse of the Pharaoh's" to the epic "Satan's Fall" and the haunting title track, everything on here is excellent. Listening to this album you can really hear the influence this group had on latter groups (Metallica for example). Mercyful Fate also has the distinction of being one of the first black metal bands (the honor for the first black metal band goes to Venom of course). My personal favorites would include "Into the Coven", "Black Funeral" and the title track, but as I said before every track is utterly fantastic. Both for its historical importance and for its musical excellence this album ranks very highly on the list of mandatory metal albums. Get the album NOW. I recommend that you either pick up the two disc version which includes "The Beginning" or the new deluxe version though. In any case whatever version you get, just get it!

This is hands down, one of my favorite metal albums of all time. It is up there with Number of the Beast, Seventh Son, Sound of Perseverance, yadda yadda. The breaks, the tempo changes, the rhythms~magic. The climax during Satan's Fall is by far the albums peak and highlight. And with Melissa as the wrap, it's a shame, it all comes too soon. It's so dark and heavy, it is insane. And way ahead of it's time. This album is crucial in your metal collection. If I could give it twelve stars I would.

This, along with the seminal Venom and Celtic Frost stuff, is one of the most influencial releases in European metal, and certainly THE best metal album to ever come out of Denmark..

Many people claim that "Melissa" is a Black Metal album, but ofcource that is silly; Mercyful Fate is well rooted within the "Classic Heavy-Rock" sound of, say, Kiss, Rainbow, Deep Purple or Alice Cooper.

The reason that many Black Metal bands claims that "Melissa" was a great influence, has to do with the whole "vibe" of the band, occult, Satanic and totally emerged in darkness as they were; especially because of King Diamond's larger-than-life character..

The production on "Melissa" was aweful, but that just make a sublimely sinister track like the epic "Satan's Fall" even more chilling.... The Re-mastered CD-version has radically improved the soundquality of "Melissa", though...

Maybe "Don't break the Oath" has a couple of Mercyful Fate's best tracks ever and a better production, but "Melissa" still remain my favorite, because of the whole evil underground "feel", that makes it a MUST BUY!!

As far as understanding todays extreme metal scene, "Melissa" is as vital as ANY release...

one of the best albums that mercyful ever recorded however if you could find a used cd on the original "megaforce" label , pick up that copy, because after roadunner got the rights to this album the title track of the album was remixed and all the dark erie overdubs were taken away and now the song is completly ruined.

One of the ones I always reach for when in the mood for some killer metal--and subject matter for guitar lessons. Been listening to this one for 13-14 years. I'm actually a classically trained guitarist and instructor with a Renaissance specialty--this was one of the albums that inspired me to play the guitar and directed me towards medieval dances (Into the Coven intro). Tons of raw power to be had here; just be sure you aren't going to mind the "occult only" focus of the lyrics. I've seen MF live, and yes, King Diamond can really hit all those octaves!

Here we have the groundbreaking debut from the innovators of black metal (along with Venom of course), Mercyful Fate. I actually like this album better than DBTO their next one even though this one isn't as heavy. Well I guess I'll waste no time in getting right to reviewing this awesome album.

Evil 9/10 - Well the album sure starts out damn creepy I tell ya. This one's about a man's ungodly genesis from the grave and how he once loved this woman who's now dead. Then expresses his desire to go all necrophiliac on her if you know what I mean. Eeek...Hey but it has a great solo towards the end!

Curse of the Pharaohs 9/10 - the beginning of this song sounds kind of Motorhead-esque I think, it's really nice. Short but sweet solo at about 1:20 mins and at 2:30 an even better one. This one's sung in a pretty low pitch actually (well for KD at least) and foreshadows the style of songs on their next album. On a sidenote this would have been since to blast out in the pyramids to scare away grave robbers.

Into The Coven 10/10 - starts out pretty slow and with killer drumming but nicely builds up into King Diamond's piercing vocals. I really like the music in this one in particular. Hey you know what else is cool about this song? It was one of the 'most wanted' songs on the PMRC's list of songs that they wanted to ban or censor. However, they failed to do so and us metal lovers still endlessly enjoy it, take that Nancy Reagan!

Demon Bell 9/10 - This song has this awesome 'wailing' out from KD going, "Oooohhhh ooohh ohhhh". Well something like that, you just have to hear it. Then does the 2nd to last verse in mega high pitched mode which quickly transforms into what I call the "sesame street character" growl. Seriously when he does that it sounds like cookie monster or something, but much more ghastly.

Black Funeral 9/10 - Shortest song on the album just shy under 3 mins. Now why wasn't this on the PMRC's list? I mean it has the most explicit Satan worshipping on the album, "All hail Satan, yes hail Satan!" and even talks of drinking blood of a dead woman. BUT I LOVE IT! Short but sweet song here people.

Satan's Fall 9/10- The guitar playing is slow, spine-tingling, and just creeps up behind you and yells, "GAAAAHHA HAHAHAHA!" It's great man. It also has some freaky cackling from good 'ol KD. Song may be 11 mins but seriously it DOES NOT get boring. I know the nu-metal kids will complain about it, but to that I say just take some adderall, sit down and enjoy this musical journey into hell. Every band member helps to keep this song fresh. In a way it feels like you're listening to a couple of different songs. For example, at 7:25 the song suddenly stops and I honestly thought it was over, then totally switches gears to a different melody and carries on!

Melissa - 8/10 Ahhh, the closer and we can relax and not be terrified anymore since this is the ballad of the album. The Melissa theyre referring to a fallen witch that they still want to communicate with.

Well there you have it. What's cool about King Diamond is that his lyrics pertaining to Satan has sort of extra significance unlike other bands who admit they do it just for 'the image'. He is actually a member of LaVey's Church of Satan which doesn't actually worship Satan per se, it says for you to be your own god and steers away from many of Christianity's beliefs (like predestination) and I personally think it's pretty cool. Do some research on it, it's pretty interesting. So the lyrics in a way are maybe just to play into the stereotypical Satan worshipping just to show how ignorant people are of actual satanism perhaps. Talk about not following the crowd, eh?

Some recommendations - Also get their next influential album Dont Break the Oath, Them and Abigail from KD's solo band, Venom, Bathory, Slayer, you know what I mean.