Force of Evil - "Black Empire" (special edition)

Even with Shermann and Denner here, this is much more like modern power metal than '80s Mercyful Fate.  Especially considering I haven't heard the first album, the title-track opener surprised me a bit, as the vocals start out low and there's a high scream before the vocals settle into a rather high-pitched delivery.  Nothing close to the falsettos of the King, though--think more a slightly over-the-top high-pitched German or Dutch '80s HM singer.  While the vocals don't sound like KD, I thought perhaps that being high like that, they were a tip of the top hat to him.  However, after the first track the main vocals sound more like standard power metal fare, and the only similarity to King is that vocalist Martin Steene uses a wide vocal range, employing both highs and lows.

 

The special edition version comes with an o-card slipcover for the case and with 2 live 2004 tracks as bonuses.  I thought the bonus live version of "Desecration of Souls" was the best thing about this whole thing, which is rather telling because it's not a particularly favorite MF song of mine in the first place.  The "not too bad, but I'd rather listen to their old band" nature of this album dredges up the oft-encountered musical question--is it unfair to hold musicians who have previously produced classic work to a higher standard?  It would be great to be able to objectively judge each work by its own merit, but of course it's impossible to be completely unbiased.  Should missteps be tolerated?  Should mediocrity be given a free pass if greatness preceded it?  I say...

 

SHOW NO MERCY.  Actually, I've overlooked Mr. Shermann's choice of pants color before, and I can do the same with this (especially seeing as it was snatched off a clearance rack for under three bucks).  In all seriousness, there's nothing here that really sullies the reputation of our favorite Danish guitar duo.  But make no mistake--I found the Zoser Mez album a lot more enjoyable...