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.


Creeping Into Hell With Classic Mercyful Fate   August 6, 2001
Steven Whitehurst (Calumet City, Illinois USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

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.


THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATS......   February 3, 2006
Chris (san fransisco)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am so sick of people saying that this album is overated!!!! and that they don't like king's voice,i admit its not for everyone but this is truly ONE OF THE GREATEST METAL CDS PERIOD!i am a Traditional Satanist but thats not why i defend the lyrics,They are very satanic if it offends don't listen
MERCYFUL FATE RULES!!!!!! THIS ALBUM RULES!


"Don't Break The Oath" Was Better   July 24, 2001
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am not saying this is a bad album. Just they did a much better job with "Don't Break The Oath". Actually if you want to blame anyone blame Hendrik Lund the producer. On the other side "Melissa" is a mind-blowing masterpiece. They guitar is awesome the lyrics are good(keep in mind, not great)and the rhythm is catchy. Oh well here is an analysis of the entire album:

1.Evil(5 stars)-Great intro number. Has great rhythm, good lyrics and awesome guitar by Hank Sherman. "I Love To Hear You Cry, I Love To See You DIE" I love that line

2.Curse Of The Pharaohs(5 Stars)-Another good song. It is not quite as heavy as the intro song, but it is still awesome. Although it kind of stands out because its just about some Egypt stuff and not Satan.

3.Into The Coven(4 Stars)-Pretty Good song. Heavy guitar, very good rythm, but it isn't a classic but it is still a respectable song

4.At The Sound Of The Demon Bell(2 Stars)-I was a little disapointed by this. The rythm is to spasmodic for my taste. But let me let you in on a secret. If you listen to "Death Kiss" on "Return Of The Vampire" you can hear some riffs that were included in this song. It is played right around the 4 minute mark(I'm proud of myself for finding that)

5.Black Funeral(5 Stars)-This song really picks up the slack from the last song. It is a real classic. The rythm is just awesome, and the lyrics ain't bad

6.Satan's Fall(4 Stars)-This song is really the climax of the album. It is an 11-minute epic about, well not really anything, but there are some really good parts in it. You just have to find them

7.Melissa(0 Stars)-Here we come to the weak point of the album. The title track. It is a complete blow. I hate this song so much. The rythm is completely spasmodic, the vocals are annoying. The continuation surfaced on "In The Shadows" is 10 times better. This would definetly be a classic 5 star album if they just cut this out, and put something form "Don't Break The Oath" on this. "The Oath" or "Come To The Sabbath" would have done just fine

So all in all, buy this album today. It is a must have for any repectable metal fan.


LEGENDARY ALBUM BY A LEGENDARY METAL BAND   December 30, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

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.