Return of the Vampire

The Mercyful Fate compilation Return of the Vampire was originally released through Roadrunner Records in 1992. Featuring raw, early demo recordings from 1981-1982, showcasing their foundational sound before their official debut and essential for fans wanting to hear the band's unpolished, proto-black metal roots. It captures their formative era, offering tracks such as "Death Kiss" and "Burning the Cross", that reveal the occult-themed heavy metal that influenced the genre.