The Beginning
Mercyful Fate · 1987
45 min · 8 tracks · heavy metal
A dark, theatrical blend of heavy metal and horror-inspired themes punctuated by falsetto vocals and intricate guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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Doomed by the Living Dead — This track opens the album with an aggressive riff and sets a foreboding tone that encapsulates the band's horror aesthetic.
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Curse of the Pharaohs — With its powerful instrumentation and lyrical references to ancient curses, this track exemplifies Mercyful Fate's theatrical approach to storytelling.
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Evil — Perhaps one of their most recognized songs, it combines haunting melodies with ferocious energy, solidifying its place as a classic in heavy metal history.
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Satan's Fall — At over ten minutes long, this epic track showcases the band's progressive tendencies and complex arrangements, illustrating their musical ambition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and performance, establishing a unique sound within heavy metal.
What we noticed
- Each song features intricate guitar solos that often intertwine with falsetto vocals, creating a theatrical atmosphere.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, particularly in the latter half, which adds to the dramatic effect of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- theatrical storytelling with intensity
- wave-like pacing with climaxes
- dark atmosphere for late nights
- immersive experience for headphone listeners
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted themes
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1987, The Beginning is Mercyful Fate's debut studio album, marking their emergence from the Danish underground metal scene. This record followed the band's formation in 1981 and showcases their unique blend of heavy metal with occult themes, setting the stage for their influential role in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- King Diamond· Black Sabbath· Judas Priest
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Doomed by the Living Dead 5:09
- 2 A Corpse Without Soul 6:58
- 3 Nuns Have No Fun 4:21
- 4 Devil Eyes 5:52
- 5 Curse of the Pharaohs 3:53
- 6 Evil 4:03
- 7 Satan's Fall 10:31
- 8 Black Masses 4:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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