Becky Baldwin has joined MERCYFUL FATE as the new bass player, bringing her dynamic skills to the renowned heavy metal band
Based in Birmingham, England, Becky previously filled in for Joey Vera during MERCYFUL FATE‘s fall 2022 tour when he was unavailable due to commitments with his long-standing group, ARMORED SAINT.
Becky said in a statement: “It is a great honor to now be a permanent member of MERCYFUL FATE. I can’t wait to join the recording of the new album.
“When I joined as a stand-in on the 2022 U.S. tour, the acceptance and encouragement from the fans was exceptional. A huge thanks to the band, team and fans for the warm welcome.
See you in Chile and Brazil this coming April.”
Becky‘s musical journey began with piano lessons in her childhood, and as a teenager, she embraced the bass guitar, soon performing with school bands. After relocating to Bristol in 2009 for studies at BIMM Bristol, where she earned a BA Honours degree in Professional Musicianship, Becky became an integral part of Bristol’s music scene.
Specializing in fingerstyle bass guitar playing across rock and metal genres, Becky has showcased her energetic live performances and efficient recording skills in approximately 100 gigs per year since 2012. Her musical endeavors have taken her on tours and recording sessions throughout Europe and the USA.
Notably, Becky co-founded the Bristol Rock Centre, a specialist private tuition company with a teaching and rehearsal studio in Mangotsfield. Her contributions extend to aiding the Rockschool exam board in writing and proofing tuition/exam books, including notable titles like “Let’s Rock Bass” and the “Popular Music Theory” collection.
Becky has also led workshops with Bristol Rock Centre and Rockschool, and delivered lectures at institutions such as BIMM Bristol, ACM Birmingham, and Access Creative College. She has received guidance from esteemed musicians like Stuart Clayton (CARL PALMER band), Damon Minchella (OCEAN COLOUR SCENE, PAUL WELLER), and Jim Barr (PORTISHEAD, GET THE BLESSING).
In addition to her musical pursuits, Becky‘s involvement with MERCYFUL FATE comes after the band’s mutual decision to part ways with Joey Vera earlier in the month. Vera had initially stepped in to replace original bassist Timi Hansen for the band’s summer 2020 European festival appearances due to Hansen‘s cancer diagnosis, but unfortunately, the performances were rescheduled for 2021 and then 2022 following Hansen‘s passing in November 2019.
MERCYFUL FATE are a Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 1981 who stands as a foundational force in the evolution of extreme metal. Founded by vocalist King Diamond (Kim Bendix Petersen) and guitarist Hank Shermann (Rene Krolmark), the band quickly gained attention for their occult-themed lyrics, intricate compositions, and theatrical stage presence. The classic lineup included Michael Denner on guitar, Timi Hansen on bass, and Kim Ruzz on drums.
The band’s debut album, “Melissa” (1983), marked a groundbreaking release that showcased their unique blend of traditional heavy metal with elements of black metal. With King Diamond‘s distinctive and operatic falsetto vocals coupled with Shermann‘s intricate guitar work, MERCYFUL FATE garnered critical acclaim. The follow-up, “Don’t Break the Oath” (1984), solidified their status as pioneers of the genre.
Despite a hiatus following King Diamond‘s departure in 1985, MERCYFUL FATE reunited in the ’90s, periodically touring and releasing new material.
MERCYFUL FATE continued to make their mark with an additional five studio albums and extensive tours across Europe, the U.S., and South America. A significant milestone came in 1999 with the release of the critically acclaimed album “9.”
This period also witnessed a notable European tour alongside METALLICA, during which King Diamond and Hank Shermann made several onstage appearances for the collaborative medley “Mercyful Fate.” METALLICA had previously recorded this medley on their “Garage Inc.” double tribute album in the preceding year. The success of the European tour was further extended with subsequent tours in the U.S. and South America, marking the culmination of the band’s live performances for over a decade.
Following this prolific era, MERCYFUL FATE entered a hiatus, with their next live appearance occurring in 2011. Members of the band joined METALLICA onstage for a memorable performance at the latter’s 30th-anniversary show in San Francisco, California, marking a brief return from their hiatus.
Their influence on the metal landscape is immeasurable, contributing significantly to the development of black metal and thrash metal. The band’s legacy endures not only through their seminal albums but also in the continued reverence they receive from subsequent generations of metal enthusiasts. MERCYFUL FATE‘s impact transcends their active years, cementing their place as one of the most iconic and influential heavy metal bands in history.