Metal Blade Records - 1994
9.5/10
Just a year following the band's reunion, Mercyful Fate would return to let us know that they were here to stay, at least for a while. In The Shadows showed the band rake in some of the King Diamond solo flare, which Time would then expand upon. Giving just the littlest bit of direction can do wonders for the flow of a record, and this is a solid case study of making a good idea into a great one. Utilizing a similar guide, the Nordic quintet would do exactly what was needed in order do tighten some loose ends, sharpen the production, and trim some fat.
Immediately and until the end, the cleaner delivery flexes its muscles through King's butter-smooth vocal delivery and the Denner-Sherman guitar attacks, allowing no room for rigidity in construction. The shifts between tempos never feel awkward, and the album as a whole is paced really nicely. Moreover, the softer edges with an eerie backdrop that we got on Melissa makes a small appearance, just in a less damning and swift manner; it's more of a side serving this time, rather than the main draw of the record. Yet, the melodies and catchy licks don't go anywhere, somewhat reimagining that welcoming trap into what feels like a horror movie in musical format.
If there was a crown example, it would be the opener "Nightmare Be Thy Name," with its welcoming intro that bends into a gruesome, galloping banger with howling, catchy vocal passages. A more overlooked one in my opinion is "Witches Dance," caking on a ghostly aura in the backing vocals, while utilizing the keyboards wonderfully in the bridge. Those minor tones in the opening of this track send a chill down my spine. Achieving the same effect are songs that whip out a doom metal foundation from end to end, something that rarely lasts for entire Mercyful Fate tracks. The title track works as a doom/acoustic ballad that morphs into a feeling of insanity with its harpsichord and breezy delivery. On the other hand, "The Mad Arab" pairs heavy, slow riffage to screeching leads and possessing vocal techniques that still feel poetic.
That's really one of the kickers overall; everything feels intentional, with convincing narratives and various directions that fit together like a puzzle. Time fills many of the cracks in with straightforward tunes that make a similar impression without the bells and whistles. "Angel Of Light" is a personal favorite of mine, with zero frills, still loaded with some of the best riffs the band has conjured up, and a beautiful solo that amps up the intensity. In a similar vein, "The Preacher" brings on more intensity with pummeling drum rolls and a meaner snarl to what would otherwise be smooth heavy metal banger. Closer "Castillo Del Mortes" seals things off by utilizing a little bit of everything mentioned, leaving a nice impression with the album's only needed long(er) tune.
All in all, the second album following Mercyful Fate's reunion would see a full realization of the potential from the first. Ghostly ideas and haunting glamor under a very clean umbrella came back without anything extra to hold it under for too long. The pacing, the atmosphere, and the overall execution is truly fantastic, with advanced songwriting and stellar licks hooking the listener easily. As I like to say, In The Shadows walked so that Time could run.
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