HANK SHERMANN: DAVE MUSTAINE Did Not Allow Performance With KING DIAMOND, Talks Potential MERCYFUL FATE Reunion, Songwriting
I was fortunate enough to interview the legendary axeman Hank Shermann (Denner/Shermann, Mercyful Fate) for our partner website Vita In Musica. We talked about the upcoming Denner/Shermann album, ‘Masters of Evil,’ a potential Mercyful Fate reunion, and playing guitar with Volbeat in 2012.
Volbeat singer Michael Poulsen had asked Shermann to play guitar during the band’s run on Gigantour in 2012. King Diamond was supposed to perform “Come to the Sabbath” with the band, but Dave Mustaine did not allow it.
“King Diamond also went to Dallas when we did the Gigantour, because he was supposed to play–we did play a Mercyful Fate song–‘Come To The Sabbath’. King Diamond was coming to the show in order to sing it. But apparently, Dave Mustaine didn’t want King to be onstage and do whatever Satanic lyrics, or whatever that was all about… So, King came to the concert and he was given the–he was told that, ‘Hey King, you’re not allowed’ from Mustaine for some reason.”
The band played the intro from “Come to the Sabbath” anyway, as King sang the lyrics from the audience.
Shermann continues, “That was pretty funny. What that was all about, I don’t have a clue. I don’t know if suddenly Mustaine had gotten into God, or you know, for whatever reason [laughs]. That was pretty bizarre you know, because back in the days, they were very good friends… Megadeth were touring with Diamond in the 80s. But there’s a lot of changes in that band. But you know, they’re good guys… and I like them and they have made some really cool records over time.”
He also revealed that he has been in talks with King Diamond over a possible Mercyful Fate reunion, though nothing has been set in stone. There is still an album left on contract with Metal Blade Records.
“Nothing has been talked about, specifics. But I mean, it would be a fascinating thought, and let’s all hope that it would happen, at least for the fans, because we owe everything to the fans, that we are still here to this day.”
Denner/Shermann will also be touring Europe and North America later this year.
For the entire interview, click here.
‘Masters of Evil‘ is due for release on June 24th via Metal Blade Records.
UPDATE (6/9/16 8:27 a.m. PST): YouTube link has been included because the Vita In Musica site is down: https://youtu.be/t5mfMqL7d5I
Photos: KING DIAMOND & EXODUS – Live in Tucson, AZ 11/8/15
Hi everyone,
It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted here on TBOS. A lot of things have been going on in my life, but now I am planning to post here once again.
Sunday, I had the opportunity to shoot the King Diamond/Exodus show in Tucson, Ariz. thanks to Heavy Metal Television. I am also a video DJ on that network, and you can catch me weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm Pacific Standard time.
Here are some photos from the concert, which I think was hands-down the best show of the year.
Setlists
Exodus
- Blacklist
- Impaler
- Bonded By Blood
- Toxic Waltz
- Vlad The impaler
King Diamond
- Welcome Home
- Sleepless Nights
- Halloween
- Eye of the Witch
- Evil
- Melissa
- Funeral
- Arrival
- A Mansion In Darkness
- The Family Ghost
- The 7th Day of July 1777
- Omens
- The Possession
- Abigail
- Black Horsemen
April’s Most Anticipated Albums – Device, Rob Zombie, Volbeat and More
Despite March being hailed by record stores as “Metal Month,” there are plenty of highly-anticipated albums that will be released in April.
The Blog of Shredding brings you the guide to what albums you should buy and where you can hear them (or at least some of the tracks) before they hit stores.
All release dates are U.S. release dates.
Device – “Device”
Release Date: April 9
Device’s self-titled debut album (2013). Photo from Noisecreep.
Device is the side project of Disturbed frontman David Draiman. The entire self-titled effort is now available for streaming on Noisecreep.
The lineup also includes Evanescence drummer Will Hunt, Dope guitarist Vitus and former Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo. M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold and Lzzy Hale from Halestorm make guest appearances.
Stone Sour – “House of Gold and Bones Part 2”
Release Date: April 9
Stone Sour’s “House of Gold And Bones Part 2” (2013). Photo from Stone Sour’s official website.
“House of Gold and Bones Part 2” is the sequel to Stone Sour’s 2012 chart-topper, “House of Gold and Bones Part 1”. HOGAB is singer Corey Taylor’s project that includes the double album and a comic book series. HOGAB Part 2 also features Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan taking up bass duties.
TBOS previously reviewed this album. It is available for streaming on Stone Sour’s official website.
Volbeat – “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”
Release Date: April 9
“Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” (2013). Photo from Volbeat’s official website.
Volbeat’s first album to feature former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano drops Tuesday. Legendary singer King Diamond (Mercyful Fate) is featured on the track “Room 24”. “Room 24” is available for free on King Diamond’s website, as a gift to the fans.
Ghost B.C. – “Infestissumam”
Release Date: April 9 April 16
Ghost B.C.’s sophomore release. Photo from Ghost B.C.’s official website.
The release of Ghost B.C.’s sophomore album was delayed by a week due to controversy surrounding the artwork of “Infestissumam”. (The questionable artwork was not even on the album cover, but on the physical CD and would not have been visible to customers unless they purchased the album.)
Several of the songs from “Infestissumam” have already leaked online. The video for “Year Zero” can be seen below.
Skid Row – “United World Rebellion – Chapter One” (EP)
Release Date: April 16
“United World Rebellion” (2013), Skid Row’s first record in seven years. Photo from BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“United World Rebellion – Chapter One” is the first in a series of EPs that Skid Row plans to release in the near future. It is their third record to feature singer Johnny Solinger, who replaced Sebastian Bach in 1999.
The official lyric video for “Kings of Demolition” can be seen below.
Geoff Tate’s Queensryche – “Frequency Unknown”
Release Date: April 23
Geoff Tate’s first album with his incarnation of Queensryche. Photo from BLABBERMOUTH.NET
After a nasty split-up between singer Geoff Tate and his band Queensryche in late 2012, two versions of the band emerged: Geoff Tate’s Queensryche and simply, Queensryche.
The lineup of Tate’s version includes bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio). Guest musicians on “Frequency Unknown” include K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Chris Poland (Megadeth) and Lita Ford.
The single “Cold” is available for streaming below.
Rob Zombie – “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor”
Release Date: April 23
Rob Zombie, this year’s Mayhem Fest headliner, will release his new album later this month. Photo from Rob Zombie’s official website.
2013 is turning out to be the year of the Zombie.
Rob Zombie is headlining this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. His film, “The Lords of Salem,” hits theaters April 19.
On top of that, his new album “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor” has been highly acclaimed by various critics.
You can listen to the single, “Dead City Radio” here. The official music video will be released on VEVO on Monday.
More of April’s Most Anticipated Albums:
Flotsam and Jetsam – “Ugly Noise”
Release Date: April 16
Deep Purple – “NOW What?!”
Release Date: April 26
HIM – “Tears on Tape”
Release Date: April 26
Cathedral – “The Last Spire”
Release Date: April 29
For a more comprehensive list of upcoming metal releases, visit Metal Storm.
The Blog of Shredding 