Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Force Of Evil- S/t - 2004 Reviewed by: Ken Pierce

Track Listing1. Dawn Of Dominion 2. Hell On Earth 3. Mindbreaker 4. Eye Of The Storm 5. Misery Man 6. Samhain 7. The Calling 8. Fountain Of Grace 9. Under The Blade 10. Demonized 11. Eternity

Former Mercyful Fate dual lead guitar players Shermann & Denner are back in action with a group that will definately impress the fans of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate. The band is called 'Force Of Evil' and their self-titled release has yet to leave my CD player. I think I have had 5 full listens already.

All members with the exception of vocalist Steene were associated with Mercyful Fate or King Diamond at one point in their career. I feel this is what makes the group have a very Fate-like musical quality. I think that it would be hard to avoid this sound with the dual shredding of the Fate axemen. However do not anticipate that Steene sounds like King Diamond for he does not. He is a great metal singer just the same yet has more in common with Joey Belladonna than King if one were to form a quick comparison of vocal style. In all honesty this is better for the group in that if Steene sounded exactly like Diamond he would risk being called a copy cat.

Notable tracks include 'Hell On Earth' & 'Mindbreaker' with quick tempos and great rhythm. It did not take me long to have these at the most played numbers. Slower numbers such as 'Eye Of The Storm' & 'Misery Man' roll along with a solid heavy grind. While 'The Calling' is a thunderous piece that uses the bands title in it as it rumbles through the stereo.

Members roll call is Hank Shermann, Michael Denner (both on lead guitar), Martin Steene (vocals), Hal Patino (bass) and Bjarne Holm (drums).

The group has begun touring and according to press releases they will be issuing a live DVD in March. Since the band is so new I would hope to hear some classic Fate in their set. Whether their live show will be as theatrical as that of King Diamond remains to be seen but I do advise the Fate/Diamond fanbase to snare a copy of this as it is quality metal. I am sure this will be a great band to see live. At present I am unaware of any US tour plans as their site shows mostly Europe.

Rating: 8/10

Force Of Evil Official Site - www.forceofevil.net


--Ken Pierce 06.16.04
Force Of Evil - ST 2003 Diamond Records - Reviewed by: EC

Track Listing 1. Dawn Of Dominion 2. Hell On Earth 3. Mindbreaker 4. Eye Of The Storm 5. Misery Man 6. Samhain 7. Calling, The 8. Fountain Of Grace 9. Demonized 10. Under The Blade 11. Eternity

I really loved Martin Steene's vocal performance on the debut record from Iron Fire, "Thunderstorm". Steene embodied all the characteristics I loved from power metal, soaring highs, smooth deliver, and a true pashion and sense of traditionlism for the genre. Steen followed that performance with Iron Fire's sophomore album, "On The Edge", which in my opinion was a huge improvement, possible being in my top ten for vocal newcomers. After that record, Steene and Iron Fire just disappeared from the planet, a soon to be Where Are You column for yours truly.

Now, Steene is back, singing for Mercyful Fate. Well sort of. Let me see if I get this straight. Force Of Evil is a supergroup put together by current Mercyful Fate guitarist Hank Shermann, featuring Iron Fire vocalist Martin Steene, on again-off again King Diamond bass player Hal Patino, ex-Mercyful Fate guitarist Michael Denner, current King Diamond bassist Hal Patino, and Mercyful Fate drummer Bjarne Holm. Its a King Diamond/Mercyful Fate all-star fest, that in my opinion really works well.

I've always been a fan of old Fate, and a huge fan of King Diamond, but I'm one of those fans that can only take King's vocals for a short period of time. Every year I will go on a King Diamond kick for a good month or two, before my ears just tune out the high falsetto vocals, instead going the opposite way and normally rolling into my Swedish death metal mode shortly after that stint. Steene really helps out my ears here, soothing my hearing with a much more acceptable means of delivering the metal goods. Force Of Evil is basically a lost Mercyful Fate record, with Steene showcasing a more power metal sound instead of Diamond's sadistic new wave shriek.

Tracks like blazing opener "Hell On Earth" showcase that classic Fate sound, with Steene hitting a few falsetto highs, but mostly staying mid range throughout. Denner and Shermann hook up for some killer guitar harmony, with tons of soaring leads. Just check out the string work on "Samhain" and "Under The Blade" for a high voltage assault, with the lead combos sounding like early 80s fate. This is just awesome stuff really.

Favorite cuts here are the grinding "Misery Man", with its rock-solid groove rolling with the signature punches of drummer Bjarne Holm, and the pleasant offering of "Mindbreaker".

Check out Force Of Evil if you are in the same boat with me, the fact being that I can't handle King Diamond for long periods of time. Martin Steene certainly isn't as innovative as Diamond, but he sure makes the music more easy to digest. This is a stellar debut and I would love to hear more from these guys!

--EC 04.21.04