Lars Ulrich, the worldwide famous drummer of Metallica, stongly wanted to insert Mercyful Fate songs in Metallica Garage Inc. cover album. A medley of "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven", and "Evil" is present in Garage Inc., and, due to Ulrich Danish origins, he also played drums as sessionman on "Return of the Vampire", the last song of Mercyful Fate "In the Sadows" album (1993).

Mercyful Fate are a Danish heavy metal band, founded in 1981. They are cited as major influences by many artists in the black, speed, thrash, power, and progressive metal scene. Though black metal was not yet grown as a genre in the first eighties, Mercyful Fate are among the bands who paved the way for its birth, so they can be considered part of it. They disbanded in 1985 and reunited from 1992 to 1999. Since 1999 the charismatic leader King Diamond, who continues his solo career started in the 80's, has always said that Mercyful Fate are not officially disbanded, are just "hibernating", stating "It's definitely not finished, at least in my book."