Hank Shermann – Metal Express Radio

Flashback Interview: HANK SHERMANN (MERCYFUL FATE) (1997): “It Was A One-time Opportunity To Do Something That No One Else Had Done”

April 12, 2025 Stig G. Nordahl

In 1997, Metal Express Radio had the opportunity to interview Hank Shermann, the legendary guitarist of Danish heavy metal pioneers Mercyful Fate. The band was promoting their album Into the Unknown, a record that showcased their evolving sound while retaining their signature style. Hank Shermann sheds light on the creative process behind the album, lineup changes, and the band’s reflections on their lyrical themes and live performances. Dive into this fascinating interview with one of Metal’s most influential musicians. Metal Express Radio: Into the Unknown feels like a step forward for Mercyful Fate. Would you agree? Hank Shermann: Absolutely. This album marks progress in many ways. While it wasn’t intentional to make it sound like our earlier works, some elements naturally came together in the studio. We worked with producer Sterling Winfield in a new studio and introduced Mike Weed as our new guitarist. These factors brought fresh dynamics to the recording process and gave us a powerful production compared to our previous record. Metal Express Radio: So would you say that the nostalgic feel of some tracks was coincidental? Hank Shermann: Not entirely coincidental, Mercyful Fate sounds like Mercyful Fate does. During recording, we revisited techniques from albums like Melissa and Don’t Break the Oath. For example, we used the same amps and incorporated back-to-back guitar solos similar to what we did in the early ’80s. These elements naturally brought back that classic vibe. Metal Express Radio: There’s been a lineup change with Michael Denner leaving. Can you tell us more about that? Hank Shermann: Michael had a lot going on. He became a father, got married, bought a house, and started his own record company in Copenhagen. These commitments made it difficult for him to give Mercyful Fate the attention it needed. Together, we decided he should step back. His first suggestion for his replacement was Mike Weed …READ MORE

DEMONICA – Demonstrous

February 17, 2010 Lior Stein

After being long active with King Diamond on Mercyful Fate and his Heavy Metal gamble of Force Of Evil, which is currently on hold, and being one of Denmark’s top Heavy Metal men, Rene Krolmark a.k.a. Hank Shermann, made his first Thrash Metal attempt by introducing Demonica. In addition to Klaus Hyrs (who was active on various Danish Metal acts in his career), the local beast talent at the vocals, Sherman brought over three American Thrashers to make this band a union of skilled Thrash maniacs of American and Danish origin. This is the plate where Bay Area Thrash meets European Heavy/Thrash, old school at its best. So who are those Americans? We have here the lead guitar of the comeback Thrashers Forbidden, Craig Locicero, his peer in the band, drummer Mark Hernandez and the veteran bassist from the ongoing band Corruption, Marc Grabowski. Alongside their Danish partners, and with a contract deal with Massacre Records, Demonica released its debut Thrash blast piece, Demonstrous. Under a tough production by Dave Otero in Flatline Studios, Demonstrous’s modern sound delivers the message of the old school with several additions made by Hank Shermann on his glory days on Mercyful Fate. Think about the sound as the modern heavier or tougher version of the productions of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond’s later albums. Shermann and Locicero delivered a showdown of riffs. Locicero is an expert of the Bay Area stuff so the riffs are according to the American code whereas Shermann, as a veteran Danish Heavy Metal artist follows his American partner’s lead while displaying his own touch of masterful heavy riffs mixed with Thrash. Furthermore, near the end of the release, Demonica steps out a bit of its Thrashy icon that leads them as the rhythms begin to show various types of …READ MORE

FATE – Fate (Reissue)

May 18, 2007 Scott Jeslis

The 80s Rock (is it now considered “Classic Rock”?) powerhouse label, MTM Classix, has another album reissue under its belt. This time they’re throwing a digitally remastered reissue of Fate’s strong, self-titled debut, Fate, into the ring. Fate (Mach I) was the Copenhagen-based Danish ultra-Melodic Rock band that began in 1984, when former Mercyful Fate guitarist Hank Sherman joined forces with former Maxim singer Jeff Limbo, with his chiseled ladies man looks, bass/keyboard player Pete Steiner, and drummer Bob Lance. Unfortunately, this particular foursome only put out two albums before Hank Sherman left the band’s ranks. Their debut was perhaps the best of Fate’s earliest works, so it’s with great gratitude that 80s fans should approach MTM Classix’s decision to reissue it twenty-three years after its inception. Fate was originally released in 1984 as the Danish attempted to cash in on the Hard Rock/Hair Metal sound dominated primarily by the States at that time. Initially, Fate was compared to America’s Van Halen, in part due to the stage antics of Limbo. There was also no doubt that Hank Sherman’s presence in the band garnered, at least initially, some attention. Of course, Mercyful Fate fans were immediately displeased once they heard Fate’s more “commercial” approach. Fate as a release and reissue still stands strong on its own merits in the Hard Rock/Hair Metal arena even today. There really isn’t a bad track on this release. First there’s the catchy, melodic hit potential of songs like “Love On The Rox” and “Fallen Angel.” Then there are the more up-tempo, hard-edged, driving riffs of “Rip It Up,” “Danger Zone,” and “Backdoor Man.” That’s not even to mention the wonderful vocal acrobatics of Jeff Limbo on “(She’s Got) The Devil Inside.” In fact, the only weak track on this reissue is the track “Won’t …READ MORE