Mercyful Fate "In the Shadows"

In the Shadows is the third full-length studio album by Mercyful Fate. It is also the first offering of the band since their reunion in 1992. It was released in 1993 on Metal Blade Records. Unlike previous Mercyful Fate albums, which were entirely centered around lyrical themes of Satanism and the Occult, the lyrics on this album are rather focused on more conceptual horror-themes, akin to King Diamond's work with his eponymous band. The band would not return to a primarily occult/Satanic lyrical approach until the band's final album, 9, released in 1999.

Some editions of In the Shadows contain a bonus track, "Return of the Vampire... 1993", that is a re-recording of the song "Return of the Vampire", present in the homonymous 1992 compilation album, featuring Lars Ulrich of Metallica on drums.

The album cover was painted by Torbjorn Jorgensen / Studio Dzyan.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by King Diamond.

1. "Egypt" Diamond 4:52
2. "The Bell Witch" Hank Shermann 4:34
3. "The Old Oak" Shermann 8:55
4. "Shadows" Diamond 4:42
5. "A Gruesome Time" Michael Denner 4:31
6. "Thirteen Invitations" Diamond 5:17
7. "Room of Golden Air" (instrumental) Denner 3:07
8. "Legend of the Headless Rider" Shermann 7:43
9. "Is That You, Melissa?" Diamond 4:41

Bonus track

1. "Return of the Vampire... 1993" Shermann 5:08

Despite Snowy Shaw being credited as the drummer, the drums on this album were actually played by Morten Nielsen. 

Lars Ulrich - drums on "Return of the Vampire... 1993"

New arrangement on "Return of the Vampire" by Lars Ulrich and Mercyful Fate.

Music videos for ''Egypt'' and ''The Bell Witch'' were made.

1997 remaster includes a bonus track from "The Bell Witch" EP:

1. Egypt (live)

Recorded at Dallas Sound Lab, Dallas, TX, USA, February - April 1993.