Don't Break The Oath is the second studio album by Danish heavy metal pioneers Mercyful Fate. The 1984 record is considered by many to be one of the most influential metal albums of all time and perfects the sound of its predecessor.
Central to the album is the distinctive, theatrical vocals of frontman King Diamond, supported by the dark and melodic guitar duels between Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. The occult lyrics were controversial at the time and helped lay the foundation for later extreme metal genres. The album features classics such as 'A Dangerous Meeting' and the iconic 'Come To The Sabbath'.
The music is heavy metal in its purest form, characterized by complex song structures, tempo changes, and progressive influences. The combination of King Diamond's extreme vocal range and the razor-sharp guitar riffs is unique to the band. This sound had a major influence on the development of thrash, black, and death metal.
