1. "Last Rites" could end up being the atheists' anthem. The song is heavy and fast-paced, but isn't anything special.

2. "Church of St. Anne" is a dark composition of sludgy guitar attacks and haunting vocals by King Diamond.

3. Sharlee D'Angelo finally struts his stuff on "Sold my Soul." Although he may never be on the same level as Geezer Butler for Black Sabbath, his incredible bass playing lends most of this track's luster. However, the lyrics are repetitive, but interesting enough.

4. "House on the Hill" has an interesting choral arrangement and a refreshingly original rhythm. Hank and Mike aren't slouches at the guit-box, and they prove it here. King's vocals and lyrics are also excellent.

5. "Burn in Hell" is the sister song of the former, and if no other track proves the return to the demonic evil of earlier albums, this one does. This is fast without being incomprehensible, and is a solid track on its own.

6. "The Grave" is even sludgier than the second track. I happen to like this one as much as any other song on the album. This song also marks a return to Mercyful Fate's dark roots.

7. "Insane" is one of the two weak points on this album--I don't particularly care for the rhythm or musical arrangement, and the lyrics are nonsensical at best, and downright stupid at worst.

8. "Kiss the Demon" picks up the slack of the previous track. I also happen to favor this song over most others, even though there really isn't that much to the lyrics. However, Hank Shermann shows why many consider him to be on almost the same level as Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, and the Big Pothead, Jimi Hendrix (but we won't get into that now...). Mike Wead also accompanies with a good crushing riff.

9. The next song, "Buried Alive" is on par with "The Grave" and "Kiss the Demon." I like the rhythm, and King Diamond's lyrics fit perfectly with the music. There aren't any clashing forces in this track.

10. Here, we've come to the weakest point of the album, sadly also the title track. "9," co-written by Mike Wead, is a failure in every sense. The power and intensity of King Diamond's vocals and lyrics are extremely lacking, although I doubt there is much you can do with such a puny attempt at rhythm jumping. The music is worse than a third-rate bar band, and even Hank's chords couldn't salvage this song from the junkyard. Bjarne T. Holm does his best on the drums, but if you're looking for a scapegoat for this song's gag factor, bring forward Mike Wead, and pass your judgement.

All in all, "9" is still a five-star album, but it does not reach deeply into the darker side of metal.

Nine? No way! Only two stars! :-(
This is the third album I've heard from this band after "Melissa" and "Don't Break The Oath" -which are both excellent albums.

I must say that this "9" is boring, too much thrashy and musically pretty flat and unoriginal, and has little or nothing to do with the Mercyful Fate I thought I knew: Vocals are poor and narrow in range and feeling; the guitar work is just good enough, but no more than that; lyrics add nothing to this CDs, while there is no shining in any other aspect of it.

Said in one sentence, this album is less than mediocre -although I must say that the production is good. But if you want to repeat the experiences you lived with the greatest King Diamond's and early Mercyful Fate's releases, look elsewhere: put it simply, this is not what you would call not even a decent release. It lacks of enchant, heart and mistery -which are the things I was expecting from this band after listening "Melissa" and "Don't Break The Oath", and almost every King Diamond's albums. So, I guess two stars is more than a fair score for "9". Satan, please send them some more creativity before taking them to Hell! And God, please forgive them for releasing such a bad album!

To those who hate mercyful fate, or this album...
Anyone that does not like Mercyful Fate can die a bloody gory Death. If you don't like "9", you can die a bloody gory Death. The same goes if you don't like King Diamond. If you don't like Fate or Diamond, you are probably a little sissy f@g that listens to Korn...so go kill yourself. ALL Mercyful Fate albums are killer and all King Diamond albums are killer.
King Diamond's band, Mercyful Fate has started to become worse. The vocals are still good but the riffs are now all too simple. Maybe there's a couple of good songs "Last Rites", "Buried Alive", and "Burn in Hell". But the main reason I give 2 stars for this is that the lyrics doesn't scare anyone anymore.

We are Nine...
Musick at 100 mph, sudden drops & changes, special effects to accentuate the sonic experience, it's just Black Heaven!

I particularly enjoyed "Kiss The Demon", which resembles some vampyric practices that I have come across.

'The Grave' seems to mock black sheep-types, in "bring your sacrifice....." to the graveyard, for desacration, intoxication, & fornication!

'Church of St. Anne' is a moving piece which carries some evocative aspects. It also speaks of a priest getting stoned by his own parishoners.

'House on the Hill' sounds very familiar, actually. The classic haunted house scenario done with eager anticipation.

".....I don't believe in heaven, I don't believe in Hell, so save your god for someone else, or save him for yourself....."