This is one thing I have against Genre's. The pioneers get pushed aside and not really get the credit they well deserve.
And I thought Mercyful Fate would be closer to Black Metal, as it states in liner notes of the 'Melissa' album, because they were influenced by Coven (US band 1967-1990's) whom they borrowed directly from for their song 'The Oath' with word for word copy of Coven's version of the Satanic Mass (from 1969 album -Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls) and band Coven were doing back from 68-71 on stage what these black metal bands are doing today...King Diamond said he was influenced by Coven. Thats why I have a problem with Mercyful Fate in the Death Metal genre.