Formed in Copenhagen in 1980 by guitarist Hank Shermann and top-hat and make-up sporting vocalist King Diamond, Mercyful Fate provided a highly influential link between the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the burgeoning black and death metal scenes. Their self-titled debut EP unveiled Diamond’s groundbreaking vocal style, which ranged from bassy canine yowls to Halfordesque falsetto shrieks. While MELISSA and DON’T BREAK THE OATH confirmed their status as underground metal luminaries, the band split over Shermann’s determination to pursue a surprising AOR direction and the continuing overt Satanism of Diamond's lyrics. Diamond continued with an eponymous new band, while Shermann formed Fate. However, the 1993 release of the rarities compilation IN THE SHADOWS (which included a guest appearance by Lars Ulrich) led to their reformation.