Mercyful Fate has been an on again off again affair with its leader King Diamond focusing on his eponymously named solo band. A proponent of Anton Sandor Levays The Satanic Bible Diamond is, according to journalist Michael Moynehan, one of the only performers of the 80s Satanic Metal who was more than just a poseur using devilish imagery for shock value. This selection features some of Fates best riff work and melodic crooning from Diamond including his trademark falsetto.
3. "Would Not Be Seen Dead In Heaven" by Witchfynde, 1980
Our next band, Witchfynde is arguably not Black Metal per se however they were important players in the emergence of anti-religious, pagan and Satanic imagery in what would become the genre a little later in the 80s. Witchfyndes debut album from 1980 has its crushingly heavy moments ala the albums title track, Stagefright but also has its lighter side musically, if not lyrically. A great example of this is Would Not Be Found Dead In Heaven a happily hard-rockin' tune featuring a great signature riff and a lyric that is sure to irritate religious types.