September 11, 2020 will see the release of the new DVD, ‘Flying V’. Issued as part of the popular ‘Inside Metal’ series, ‘Flying V’ was directed by Peter Hansen and produced by Hansen and Michael Denner, and features in-depth interviews with countless renowned metal guitarists who have helped make this make/model one of the most instantly identifiable instruments in all of rock.
‘Flying V’ chronicles the origin of the most unique guitar on earth and its incredible influence on the history of rock and roll and heavy metal. Hear from the rock stars themselves as they describe how, when, and why the Flying V forever changed their careers and altered their entire approach to guitar playing.
Journey inside the minds of the biggest icons of our era as they tell their riveting tales of discovery and passion for their beloved Flying V’s. Exclusive interviews with members of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Scorpions, Accept, MichaelSchenker Group and more. This musical journey is one you will want to take over and over again as secrets of the Flying V guitar are revealed like never before!
The cast includes Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield, Kerry King, Michael Schenker, Michael Denner, Hank Sherman, Wolf Hoffmann, KK Downing, Mathias Jabs, Richie Faulkner, Andy Sneep, Brian Tatler, Andy La Roque, Andy Powell, and Michael Amott.
And the rave reviews that this 67 minute documentary has already accumulated is impressive, including renowned rock photographer Mark “Weiss Guy” Weiss saying “Whenever I saw the Flying V on stage I knew it was going to be a killer show – I love photographing the V. How could you not – It screams ROCK N’ ROLL! It has a presence all to its own. If I were to rate the Flying V, in the words of the TAP, I would give it an eleven one louder!”
Additionally, Bob Nalbandian (director of the ‘Inside Metal’ series) declared it as an “Awesome doc on the Flying V! Very informative and intimate interviews with some of the greatest guitarists in rock and metal. An absolute must for the guitar enthusiast!”
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently Spoke to original MERCYFUL FATE’s guitarist Michael Denner (Denner /Shermann). Denner spoke about his new band Denner’s Inferno and new album In Amber that will be released November 15 2019 on Mighty Music. He also spoke about not being invited to the upcoming Mercyful Fate reunion, the making of the classic Mercyful Fate albums, Melissa and Don’t break the Oath as well as gave an update on former Ex Mercyful Fate Drummer Kim Ruzz where beings and bassist Timi Hansen’s health update. And how the PMRC helped Mercyful Fate back in the 1980’s.
Watch the interview here:
When asked about the musical direction of his new album Denner’s Inferno ‘In Amber’
“I have always been an old school fan of heavy rock of the early 70’s , which is the main part of my record collection which is 3000-4000 albums from these bands of the early 70’s. I have done tons of heavy metal albums but this time I wanted to do what I was a fan of as a collector. So on this album I added in a 70’s vibe and tried to record the songs the way it was done in the old days and I think we achieved that we captured that organic rock sound. A Blue Oyster Cult vibe which is one of my favorite bands and there are also elements of Mercyful Fate. I cannot run away from my past from what I have been doing from the 80’s. I wanted it to be 70’s but not outdated.”
When asked about new singer Chandler Mogel and his singing style on the new album
“My aim was not to have a screamer (nothing wrong with Screamers) this time around. This time I wanted something different. Chandler is a fan of Uriah Heep’s David Byron and Deep Purple singers. Chandler has this very melodic vocals and a broad range and he sings very emotional.”
When asked about his tour plans and set list
“We have done booking some shows in Scandinavia and after these shows we will look and see if we can book some shows in Europe and play Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and so on and hopefully US and Canada/ South America later on. As the set list I will bring in one or two Mercyful Fate songs, maybe adding some songs from of Force of Evil or Denner Shermann I have so much music to choose from. I need to find a good Mercyful Fate song from those days that is not too satanic or too high pitched, no one can copy King Diamonds vocals. Chandler is not that kind of singer but I will locate and good song or two from the Mercyful Fate catalogue.”
When asked about his feeling towards not being invited to the upcoming Mercyful Fate reunion
“Mercyful Fate did two albums before they folded and laid it to rest over 20 years ago. So it seems they wanted to continue with the same lineup before it folded. But what surprised me I didn’t know anything about this reunion until two days before it was officially released. Somehow in there it looked like it was supposed to be the original line-up with the songs from the first three albums. That took me by surprise because I was very much apart of these albums. I felt a bit sad about it. But then again I felt happy on what I am doing now. If this is what Shermann and King want to do I cannot force them to bring me in the band . I wish them best of luck and I want to move on doing my own stuff. I think it is Metal Blade Records who own the rights to the name Mercyful Fate. I don’t want to make a big deal, I was a big part of the Mercyful Fate history but I cannot force them to change their mind.”
When asked about his relationship with Guitarist Hank Shermann in regards to this reunion
“That was the big surprise, I didn’t expect Hank to just keep quiet about the reunion, that was a big shock. I lost contact with King years ago we had some differences, small arguments. So I didn’t expect King to call me for the reunion but Hank it’s a different story because we were working very close together for a long time. Hank even helped me with my new album, he did some of the guitar recordings and helped with the artwork.”
When asked if they called him up tomorrow to join the reunion would he participate
“It would be very hard, it would not be enough. I would need some serious explanations. That is a hard question to answer because my feeling were a bit hurt when it occurred 3-4 weeks ago, so now I am healing. But also this is perfect timing in a way cause my new album is being released. I have not said anything bad about Hank or King even though they disappointed me the way it happened.”
When asked about former Mercyful Fate’s bassist Timi Hansen health
“He is doing better , we have been friends since we were 12 years old, he lives just a mile down the road from me. But now I do feel like things are going better for him. I think he is recovering. I doubt if he will ever play bass again, he hasn’t had a bass in over ten years he is not active anymore.”
When asked if King Diamond pushed Satanism too far in the early days
“In the beginning King only wrote lyrics about motorbikes and fights but then we started talking about the occult . King and I spent many hours late at night listening to the first Black Sabbath album sitting together talking about these deep things occult and spirits. As my interest in the subject moved away he got more and more into it and finally he found this Satanic bible and he got deeper and deeper into it and he was serious like a religion. I was very scared of the dark when I was young, it scared me. So when I grew up ried to move away from it and not be scared anymore. I left it and King just grabbed it.”
When asked about Mercyful Fate’s success on Don’t break the Oath
“After Melissa album there were more and more fans and it started to build up for us. Also in the US. once we got onto the PMRC filthy 15 songs list, then suddenly there was a lot of interest for the band.”
His new band American vocalist Chandler Mogel (OUTLOUD, PUNKY MEADOWS, RADIO EXILE), bassist Flemming Muus (TRICKBACK, JOYTOWN) and a drummer with a common MERCYFUL FATE link, Bjarne T Holm (played in the ’90s and also involved in the reunion recently announced). Together, they play heavy metal that should appeal to fans of MERCYFUL FATE, CANDLEMASS and ’70s retro rock.
“In Amber” track listing:
01. Matriarch
02. Fountain Of Grace
03. Up And On
04. Sometimes
05. Taxman (Mr. Thief)
06. Vens Of The Night
07. Run For Cover
08. Pearls On A String
09. Loser
10. Castrum Doloris
The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was an American committee formed in 1985 with the stated goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to have violent, drug-related or sexual themes via labeling albums with Parental Advisory stickers. The committee was founded by four women known as the “Washington Wives” – a reference to their husbands’ connections with government in the Washington, D.C. area. The women who founded the PMRC are Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice PresidentAl Gore; Susan Baker, wife of Treasury SecretaryJames Baker; Pam Howar, wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howar; and Sally Nevius, wife of former Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius. The PMRC eventually grew to include 22 participants before shutting down in the mid-to-late 1990s.
Twin guitar lengends of MERCYFUL FATEMichael Denner & Hank Shermann have completed the mixing and mastering of their new DENNER /SHERMANN full-length album, “Masters Of Evil” – to be released by Metal Blade Records on June 24th.
The album cover was painted by Swedish artist Thomas Holm, who also created the Satan’s Tomb artwork – and who is very well known amongst fans for his standout pieces over the past three decades! The mixing was once again handled by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden – who engineered their critically acclaimed EP, Satan’s Tomb. Mastering was done once again by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, California. The vintage sound on the new record harkens one back to the days of 2 inch tape machines, long nights in dark studios, and huge consoles glowing under dim incandescent light.
“Masters Of Evil” contains 8 new Denner / Shermann tracks that continue right where the EP left off. Building upon the musical foundation of the Satan’s Tomb EP, these songs cover the entire gamut of heavy metal nuances and take the listener down a mysterious path where tales of dark, supernatural fantasies are told, transporting you to places that can only be found in the most vivid, blood curdling nightmares.
“Masters Of Evil” is fully loaded to satisfy the old fans with just what they would expect – and also injected with menacing, sinister, new surprises that could only come from the sonic DNA of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann.
“After ‘Satan’s Tomb‘, we continued aggressively writing and recording ideas, except for the short break we took to do all the press for the release of the debut. We are very excited with the outcome, and the full-length album is ready to be unleashed this summer,” says guitarist Hank Shermann.
Vocalist Sean Peck comments, “This record really has it all I think. Working with Hank and Michael and the guys creating this record, was the ultimate metal thrill ride for me! I can’t wait to hear the fan reaction to this sinister sonic salvo of savagery!”
Michael Denner also adds, “This new record really shows how the five of us have grown as a band and bonded as songwriters. It contains the kind of compositions I believe our fans would expect from us. I think this release will serve as kind of a tribute to our incredible fans worldwide, as we recognize and acknowledge their die hard loyalty over the years.”
The first single, “Angel’s Blood”, comes right at you with a sonic sledge hammer! Once the guitars hit your ears, the unmistakable trademark guitar sound of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann is instantly recognized. Prepare yourself for a heavy metal thrill ride!
To hear “Angel’s Blood” and to pre-order “Masters Of Evil” in various formats, please visit: metalblade.com/dennershermann
With the upcoming DENNER /SHERMANN release on June 24th, also comes live touring. Ever since the first announcement that this guitar duo was reforming, many show requests have been received from all over the world. Now with a full complement of original songs to draw from, look for the group to bring those to a city near you very soon.
Masters of Evil track-listing:
1. Angel’s Blood
2. Son of Satan
3. The Wolf Feeds at Night
4. Pentagram and the Cross
5. Masters of Evil
6. Servants of Dagon
7. Escape from Hell
8. The Baroness
Denner / Shermann is:
Michael Denner – Guitars
Hank Shermann – Guitars
Sean Peck – Vocals
Snowy Shaw – Drums
Marc Grabowski – Bass
DENNER / SHERMANN EP “Satan’s Tomb” will be released on October 2nd via Metal Blade Records. The title track has been finally released and is streaming online now at metalblade.com/dennershermann. While there, make sure to pre-order your physical or digital copies of “Satan’s Tomb”!
Guitar Legends MICHAEL DENNER and HANK SHERMANN of MERCYFUL FATE have given an offering of supremely, classic heavy metal infused with an overload of their signature, dark magic shredding. According to the legendary guitar duo, getting SNOWY SHAW (King Diamond/Therion/Sabaton) on Drums, MARC GRABOWSKI (Demonica) on Bass Guitar, and SEAN PECK (Cage/Death Dealer) on vocals, onboard to form the band was a critical component to bringing these 4 tracks to life. Michael Denner added “Creating these songs with this line up really ignited my metal fire hotter than ever! I’m sure the fans are going to love this thing” “This mix ended up really having an old school feel to it that sounds awesome when blasting at an unhealthy volume” says Shermann.
The EP was recorded in the USA, Denmark and Sweden and was mixed by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The mastering was done by Maor Applebaum in Los Angeles, California.
The SATAN’S TOMB cover artwork was painted by Thomas Holm whose work on MERCYFUL FATE’s MELISSA and DON’T BREAK THE OATH is well known throughout the metal world.
The track listing for SATAN’S TOMB is as follows:
1. Satan’s Tomb
2. War Witch
3. New Gods
4. Seven Skulls
A trailer for the new DENNER / SHERMANN EP “Satan’s Tomb” has been released showcasing clips of songs from their upcoming release on October 2nd on Metal Blade Records.
Guitar Legends MICHAEL DENNER and HANK SHERMANN of MERCYFUL FATE have given an offering of supremely, classic heavy metal infused with an overload of their signature, dark magic shredding. According to the legendary guitar duo, getting SNOWY SHAW (King Diamond/Therion/Sabaton) on Drums, MARC GRABOWSKI (Demonica) on Bass Guitar, and SEAN PECK (Cage/Death Dealer) on vocals, onboard to form the band was a critical component to bringing these 4 tracks to life.
Michael Denner added “Creating these songs with this line up really ignited my metal fire hotter than ever! I’m sure the fans are going to love this thing” “This mix ended up really having an old school feel to it that sounds awesome when blasting at an unhealthy volume” says Shermann.
“Being invited to collaborate with these two guys who had such a profound, major impact on my indoctrination to metal, has been absolutely killer! And now we are continuing to write more material for a full length release too. My mind is officially blown!” says singer Sean Peck.
The EP was recorded in the USA, Denmark and Sweden and was mixed by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The mastering was done by Maor Applebaum in Los Angeles, California.
The SATAN’S TOMB cover artwork was painted by Thomas Holm whose work on MERCYFUL FATE’s MELISSA and DON’T BREAK THE OATH is well known throughout the metal world.
The track listing for SATAN’S TOMB is as follows:
1. Satan’s Tomb
2. War Witch
3. New Gods
4. Seven Skulls
This will be available in both CD, Vinyl formats and downloads.
Michael Denner and Hank Shermann, the original guitar players of Mercyful Fate‘s legendary “Melissa” and “Don’t Break the Oath” albums, have created a new classic in the forthcoming EP, “Satan’s Tomb”, coming in 2015 on Metal Blade Records. These songs were crafted with the Mercyful Fate worldwide legion of fans at the forefront of their collective minds. From the first riff to the last wail, one cannot help but feel the magic newly recaptured once again.
The band, which is simply called Denner / Shermann, calls into service a formidable group of allies who were capable of helping realize this menagerie of malice, was a task carefully orchestrated by these metal mad scientists. Shermann first called upon Marc Grabowski (Demonica) to handle the bass guitar, followed by the only drummer that made sense for many obvious aspects, the one known as Snowy Shaw (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Dream Evil)! Many voices were considered, but fate lead them to Sean Peck (Cage and Death Dealer). He was not only a fan but had the versatile vocal skills to make the new songs come to life like their fans would expect.
Hank Shermann comments: “We have been writing and recording with an incredible line up of musicians and the fans are in for a dark, classic, heavy metal treat for sure. We wanted to get back to the essence of what we created back in the early 80s” “The music inevitable sounds like you would hope it to be, fans of our early work should be very excited“.
Music for their debut release has been completed, and the title of the album is “Satan’s Tomb” and promises to be one of the finest pure classic metal releases of 2015.
Brian Slagel adds: “I am super excited to welcome Denner / Shermann to the Metal Blade family. I have known Michael and Hank for more than 25 years. I am honored to be able to work with these two legendary musicians. Really excited to work with all the guys on this exciting new band!“
Denner / Shermann is:
Michael Denner – Guitars
Hank Shermann – Guitars
Sean Peck – Vocals
Snowy Shaw – Drums
Marc Grabowski – Bass
