Not a “new” release from the young, Mercyful Fate obsessed Swedes, albeit it “new” to most. Re-release of their eponymous (and now sold-out) debut, issued back in 2008, but with the success of “The World, The Flesh, The Devil” follow-up, Season Of Mist secured the rights and augmented the original eight tracks: including the speedy, very Maiden-ish ‘Hidden Dangers (In The Night)’, from a ’06 demo and an alternate version of ‘Faceless Mistress’ which appears elsewhere on this platter.

The short compositions (clocks in under 44 minutes, even with bonus cuts) possess a similarly eerie, slightly echoing voice, with NWOBHM guitar tones and loose hi-hat cymbal accented drums. A little less refined, but for some, that’s part of the charm. At times (see ‘Witches Sabbath’), one can peg which King Diamond penned track was mostly likely the inspiration. Towards the disc’s close, a catchy ‘Temple Of The Unknown’ (with its twin guitar leads) and heavier ‘The Monolith’ hint at what was to come, standing as the direct lineage to what they ultimately accomplished on “The World…”, easily the strongest material herein. If you already discovered In Solitude, by all means round out your collection, so you’ll be familiar with the back catalog on the next tour. Otherwise, start with the aforementioned, much tastier and easily digested platter.