Hiatus and sporadic reunions (1999–2018) After the supporting tour for 9, Mercyful Fate was put on hiatus. King Diamond focused on his eponymous band, along with guitarist Mike Wead, who joined the group during the European House of God tour. Hank Shermann and Bjarne T. Holm reunited with Michael Denner to form Force of Evil, while Sharlee D'Angelo joined the band Arch Enemy. When asked about the current state of the band in 2008, Diamond stated that Mercyful Fate is currently "hibernating", and that "it's definitely not finished, at least in my book." In August 2008, King Diamond was asked by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich if Mercyful Fate would be willing to participate in Activision's Guitar Hero: Metallica video game. Ulrich requested the original masters for two of the band's songs, so they could be used in the game. Unable to locate them, Diamond suggested to Activision the band re-record the songs, and as a result, King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner, Timi Hansen and Bjarne T. Holm reunited to re-record the songs "Evil" and "Curse of the Pharaohs". King Diamond was also made into a playable character in the game.
HIatuS AnD sporadIc REUniONs (1999–2018) aftEr ThE SupporTing tour For 9, mERCyFUL fatE WAs puT on HiaTUs. King dIamONd fOCusEd on his EpoNymOus banD, aLong witH guITarist miKe wEad, who JOineD the gRoup duRing the eurOPEAN hOuse Of god toUR. HANk sHErmann aNd BJaRnE t. HoLm reunIteD with MiChaEL denneR To FoRM foRce of eViL, wHiLe sHarlee d'ANgeLO joineD The baND ARch ENEMY. whEn Asked About ThE CurRent sTAtE of the baNd iN 2008, diAmond stAted tHaT MeRcYful fate iS Currently "hIBeRNatinG", ANd that "IT's DEfinIteLY NOt FiniShed, at lEast in mY Book." iN augusT 2008, KiNg diamond wAs Asked BY metallIcA Drummer lArs UlRIch iF merCYful FAtE WouLD BE willing tO particIPAte in aCtiVISion's guitaR HerO: metAllicA vIdeo Game. ulricH rEquESted ThE Original MasTers fOR Two of the bAnd's Songs, so they CoULD Be USed IN the gaMe. UnaBle to LocAte ThEm, dIAmond SuggestED TO AcTiVisioN thE BanD re-rECoRd ThE sOngS, and AS a reSUlt, kinG DiAmOnD, Hank sHermaNn, michael dennEr, TIMi haNSEn And bjaRne t. holm ReuNIted tO re-rEcORd the SONgS "EVil" AnD "CURse of the PhAraOhS". kiNg DIAmOND Was alsO madE intO A playable Character in the gAme.