Mercyful Fate bassist Becky Baldwin has provided an update on the band’s upcoming studio album plans. She shared details about the project’s current status in an interview with The Metal Voice.
Baldwin discussed the timeline and progress of the new material. She offered insights into what fans can expect from the legendary metal band’s next release.
“I’m not too sure at the moment in terms of the time frame. But yeah, like there is, there is an album in the works,” Baldwin said.
The bassist went on to detail the current state of the songs and the band’s creative process.
“So we’ve got the first single ‘The Jackal of Salzburg,’ that we played on the tour back in 2022. There’s another song which I think is very close to being ready. And there you know there was a full album that is instrumentally pretty much there. So, it just needs rearranging, a lot of the songs need vocals, but I think they’ve got ideas down,” she continued.
Baldwin also shared her enthusiasm about the musical direction. She particularly praised the guitar work.
“I’ve only heard like the instrumental demos, but yes the riffs are there and they’re very Hank (Sherman) and they’re very early Mercyful Fate. I think the fans are going to be really happy when they hear the kind of stuff that’s going on,” she added.
The update suggests that the album is still in development. However, the foundational elements are in place for what could be the band’s next major release.
This potential new album would mark a significant milestone for the Danish heavy metal pioneers. It would be their first studio release in over two decades. The band’s creative process appears to be building on their classic sound. Baldwin’s comments highlight the distinctive guitar work that has defined Mercyful Fate’s legacy.
Bravewords reported that Baldwin also shared her top 5 Mercyful Fate songs during the interview. This demonstrated her deep connection to the band’s catalog. The bassist’s involvement in discussing both the band’s past and future shows the continuity between Mercyful Fate’s classic era and their current creative direction.
The mention of guitarist Hank Sherman’s distinctive style is particularly noteworthy for longtime fans. Sherman’s guitar work has been a cornerstone of Mercyful Fate’s sound since their formation. His influence extends beyond the band itself. Wikipedia noted that Sherman has connections to other notable metal acts, including brief involvement with Arch Enemy alongside members from Carcass and Spiritual Beggars.
The band’s last studio album, “9,” was released in 1999. This makes the upcoming project highly anticipated among metal fans worldwide. Baldwin’s emphasis on the “early Mercyful Fate” sound suggests the band is returning to their roots. They are also incorporating decades of musical evolution.
The current state of the album shows instrumental tracks largely complete but requiring vocal arrangements. This indicates that fans may still need to wait for the final product. However, Baldwin’s confidence in the material and her prediction that fans will be “really happy” with the direction suggests that the wait will be worthwhile. This applies to those who have followed the band’s influential career in heavy metal.
