Dead Again (Colored Vinyl, Blue) (2 Lp's)

Mercyful Fate: King Diamond (vocals); Mike Wead, Hank Shermann (guitar); Sharlee D'Angelo (bass); Bjarne T. Holm (drums). Producers: Sterling Winfield, Mercyful Fate. Recorded at Nomad Recording Studio, Carrolton, Texas in December 1997. Recorded during a frenzy of activity during the late '90s, Dead Again was presumably thrown together rather quickly, as Mercyful Fate and King Diamond's solo outfit were both releasing new discs at a furious rate. This schedule had to be most taxing on vocalist Diamond, whose ultra-high-pitch bellowing and novel-length lyrical additions to both of his bands made for a laborious schedule. Joining Diamond on this 1998 Metal Blade release are guitarists Hank Shermann and Mike Wead, drummer Bjarne T. Holm, and bassist Sharlee D'Angelo. With the exception of Diamond, each member of Mercyful Fate turns in solid performances in both the creation and execution of fine riffs and arrangements. Diamond, on the other hand, sounds a little uninspired, but manages to squeal just enough to keep the old-school Mercyful Fate vibe alive. Standouts include the almost campy "The Lady Who Cries" and "Sucking on Your Blood," but the material is a little tired. Not one of the group's best releases, Dead Again conjures just enough magic to make it a worthy purchase for devoted fans of the band only. ~ Vincent Jeffries