MERCYFUL FATE Bassist TIMI HANSEN Is Battling Cancer

Timi Hansen

MERCYFUL FATE bassist Timi Hansen has revealed that he is battling cancer.

Hansen broke the news after it was announced that he wouldn’t participate in MERCYFUL FATE‘s 2020 reunion. Filling in for him will be ARMORED SAINT and FATES WARNING bassist Joey Vera.

He released a statement via the Facebook page of Livia Zita-Bendix, wife of MERCYFUL FATE frontman King Diamond, saying: “There are many questions about why I won’t appear as part of the MERCYFUL FATE reunion in 2020. The honest explanation is simply that I am currently fighting a fight against cancer. But believe me, I will fight everything I can to be ready.

“It’s my big dream to be on stage again playing the old MERCYFUL FATE numbers in front of all of you very loyal fans. If this wasn’t going to happen, I’d like to ask you to take good care of Joey Vera. I totally agree with King that he is a perfect ‘stand-in,’ so take good care of him.”

MERCYFUL FATE have announced that they will be reuniting for an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe during the summer of 2020.

Band said in a statement:

“NEVER BREAK THE OATH

MERCYFUL FATE will be playing an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe during the summer of 2020, including COPENHELL.

“It will be the “9” lineup, featuring:

Hank Shermann – Guitar

King Diamond – Vocals

Bjarne T Holm – Drums

Mike Wead – Guitar

“with Joey Vera on the bass while Timi Hansen is away.

“We asked Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) to fill in because he has a very unique style and sound playing with his fingers, much like that of Timi Hansen. This is very important, since the set list will only consist of songs from the very first “mini LP”, the “Melissa” album, and the “Don’t Break The Oath” album, plus some brand new songs written specifically in that very same style.

“This will very much be Mercyful Fate as we were in the very beginning, except for a brand new major stage production.

“See you at the Ruined Bridge.

“Stay Heavy…”