Not many bands can claim to be as influential as Mercyful Fate. As one of the early purveyors of true metal, the band's impact is felt far and wide; from the new wave of black metals' Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir to international metal gods Megadeth and Metallica.

Mercyful Fate's fifth full-length studio album 'Into the Unknown' was released in 1996, becoming their most commercially successful record. Featuring classic dual guitars, occult themes, and killer tracks like "The Uninvited Guest" and the sequel "Kutulu (The Mad Arab, Part 2)", it marked a significant point in their 90s output, blending their signature sound with a slightly more accessible, yet still complex, approach.