Birmingham, England – Mercyful Fate, the renowned heavy metal band, has announced the addition of Becky Baldwin as their new bass player. Baldwin, a talented musician hailing from Birmingham, previously toured with the band as a temporary replacement for Joey Vera in 2022. Vera, who is known for his work with Armored Saint, was unable to join the band due to scheduling conflicts. Baldwin expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to join Mercyful Fate permanently and to contribute to the recording of their upcoming album.
Baldwin’s musical journey began in her childhood, when she played the piano. As a teenager, she transitioned to the bass guitar and started performing with various bands in school. In 2009, she moved to Bristol to study at BIMM Bristol and became deeply involved in the city’s music scene. Baldwin holds a BA Honours degree in Professional Musicianship and currently resides in Birmingham.
Not only is Baldwin an energetic performer on stage, but she also possesses exceptional recording skills. Her expertise lies in fingerstyle bass guitar playing, with a focus on rock and metal genres. Throughout her career, Baldwin has played approximately 100 gigs per year, showcasing her versatility by collaborating with bands spanning across different genres like metal, folk, urban, funk, pop, and jazz. She has toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States, participating in numerous recording sessions.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Baldwin is a co-founder of Bristol Rock Centre, a specialist private tuition company that offers teaching and rehearsal spaces. She has also contributed to the writing and proofing of various instructional books for Rockschool, an exam board. Furthermore, Baldwin has conducted workshops at Bristol Rock Centre and Rockschool, in addition to delivering lectures at BIMM Bristol, ACM Birmingham, and Access Creative College. She has received guidance and mentorship from esteemed musicians such as Stuart Clayton, Damon Minchella, and Jim Barr.
Mercyful Fate recently announced their mutual decision to part ways with Joey Vera. In 2019, Vera had stepped in as a replacement for the band’s original bassist, Timi Hansen, who sadly passed away in 2019 due to cancer. To honor Hansen’s memory, Mercyful Fate rescheduled their 2020 summer festival appearances, which ultimately took place in 2022.
The band is currently working on a new album and offered fans a glimpse of their new material when they debuted a song called “The Jackal Of Salzburg” during their performances in Germany and at Psycho Las Vegas in 2022. The current lineup of Mercyful Fate consists of Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitars, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, and the newest addition, Becky Baldwin, on bass.
Mercyful Fate’s origins trace back to early 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark, when vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann formed the band. They were later joined by guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen. The band quickly gained recognition for their unique sound and released their self-titled EP in 1982. Their debut full-length album, “Melissa,” followed in 1983, and the now-legendary “Don’t Break The Oath” arrived in 1984.
Through extensive touring in the United States and Europe, Mercyful Fate solidified their position in the metal community. However, in 1985, the band decided to part ways, allowing members to pursue new projects. King Diamond went on to establish a successful solo career, releasing albums on Roadrunner Records before signing with Metal Blade Records.
In 1992, Mercyful Fate reunited and signed with Metal Blade Records, marking a new chapter for the band. The release of “In The Shadows” in 1993 was met with critical acclaim, and the band embarked on a sold-out U.S. tour. Since then, they have released five more studio albums, toured extensively, and even performed alongside Metallica during their European tour.
Mercyful Fate’s storied history and dedication to their craft have solidified their status as one of heavy metal’s most influential bands. With the addition of Becky Baldwin as their new bass player, the band looks forward to creating more unforgettable music and thrilling their devoted fans once again.