Language: English
Genre: Heavy Metal
Label Number: P2 53942
© 1994 Metal Blade/Priority Records
AllMusic Review by Jason Anderson
© 1994 Metal Blade/Priority Records
AllMusic Review by Jason Anderson
Like its predecessor (the comeback disc In the
Shadows), Time has a mostly original Mercyful Fate lineup delivering
strong material that might not exactly stand up to the group's best
early-'80s work, but still packs a nasty horror-metal punch. As always,
the distinctive frontman King Diamond leads the way on Time with his
epic (if a little silly) lyrics and bizarre vocal range that defined the
group's sound. Often overshadowed by Diamond's theatrics, the other
bandmembers (guitarist Hank Sherman, bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, and
relative newcomer Snowy Shaw on drums) do their usual fine job cranking
out retro and near thrash metal riffs with biting precision. The
sprawling "Lady in Black" is a clear standout, with its superior guitar
grooves and relatively melodic and intelligible vocals. Other choice
cuts include the crushing opener, "Nightmare Be Thy Name," and the title
track, "Time. If there was any concern that In the Shadows was going to
be a one-off treat exclusively designed for nostalgic old-timers, Time
proved that Mercyful Fate was back and ready to build upon its massive
'80s underground metal reputation.
tags: mercyful fate, time, 1994, time album,
