(Diamond Records) Total Time: 47:57
FORCE OF EVIL is the new band led by the original MERCYFUL FATE guitar duo, namely Hank Shermann and Michael Denner (the former still a member of MF). Apart from singer Martin Steen (IRONFIRE) the rest of the quintet is also related to the KING DIAMOND/MERCYFUL FATE family as bassist Hal Patino is a KING DIAMOND member and drummer Bjarne T. Holm is the bassist of MERCYFUL FATE from 1995 and onwards. Therefore, it is reasonable for someone to assume that this self titled debut of FORCE OF EVIL could be the answer to the “how the original MERCYFUL FATE would sound without King Diamond ?” question. Well, not exactly. First off, King Diamond’s voice, singing style, and especially his vocal harmonies were (and are) as fundamental to MF’s music as the guitars were/are (if not more). Secondly, this is not what FoE are trying to achieve and they wisely do so as the atmosphere and feeling of the early MF albums are not easily recreated. In addition there is not really any need for that as the second incarnation of MF is still active. Of course, there are references to MERCYFUL FATE (especially first period), it couldn’t be otherwise. After all FoE’s main songwriter Hank Shermann is also responsible for almost half the compositions of MF (in fact all the music of the “Mercyful Fate” EP and their first full length “Melissa” is credited to him). So what this album sounds like? Well, in a few words “Force of Evil” contains classic traditional heavy metal characterised by the “unrefined” riffing and sharp solos of the guitars of Shermann and Denner. The result is pure metal often sounding like a fusion of JUDAS PRIEST with early MF. Singer Martin Steen belongs to the Rob Halford school of alternating low and high pitch screaming vocals and succeeds in his task (although he doesn’t have Halford’s vocal range). To be honest quite a few times in the beginning of songs I subconsciously was waiting for King Diamond’s voice to come in (e.g. at songs like “Samhain” and “Mindbreaker”), but that goes away after a few spins of the CD. And that’s when this album becomes really enjoyable. When you let go and succeed in getting rid of the MF comparison frame, the beauty of this record is revealed. “Force of Evil” is not a modern masterpiece nor it claims novelty or originality awards, but in it you get great melodies, two guitarists who communicate and interact better than twins, both melodic and aggressive songs, quality musicianship and most importantly great compositions. And this is more than a fair deal. So those of you who expect a new “Evil”, or a new “Curse of the Pharaohs” invent a time machine and travel back in 1983. On the other hand, those of you who want a very good traditional and quality heavy metal album you can’t go wrong with this one. Highly recommended!
