Joey Vera Reflects on His Mercyful Fate Journey: A Fanboy's Dream Come True

In a recent deep dive with Metal-Rules.com, Armored Saint's own Joey Vera opened up about his surreal tenure with the legendary Mercyful Fate. Stepping into the shoes of the late Timi Hansen was no small feat, and Vera recounted how it all began while he was on tour with Fates Warning in Texas. A fateful call from Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records set the stage for a life-changing opportunity, as King Diamond himself wanted to discuss a potential role with the iconic band.

“After the show, King came backstage,” Vera recalls. “We were just catching up like old friends, and then he pulled me aside to talk about Timi’s situation and the possibility that he might not be well enough for the upcoming tour.” The gravity of the moment was palpable, yet Vera embraced the challenge. “What was I supposed to say? It’s Mercyful Fate. Of course, I said yes.”

Initially, Vera held on to hope for Hansen's recovery, never imagining he’d be learning a staggering 22 demanding tracks from one of metal’s most revered catalogs. “I spent about three months learning them every single day,” he admits, and when he finally arrived in Copenhagen for rehearsals, the camaraderie among the band and crew made the journey all the more rewarding. “I had a fucking blast. Suddenly I was headlining festivals all over Europe with Mercyful Fate.”

For Vera, sharing the stage with legends like King Diamond and Hank Shermann was a mind-bending experience. “I kept asking myself, ‘What am I doing here?’” he laughed, reflecting on his past as a tape-trading fanboy. “Those songs are part of my DNA.” Now, he was living the dream, performing those very classics that shaped his musical identity.

Yet, as fulfilling as the experience was, Vera eventually had to return to his roots with Armored Saint. “That’s my baby,” he emphasized, detailing the weight of his responsibilities as the band’s internal manager and musical director. “I couldn’t give that up.” He acknowledged that the transition was smooth with Becky Baldwin stepping in, who he praised as an incredible addition to the band.

As Armored Saint gears up for their co-headlining tour with Metal Church this fall, the legacy of Mercyful Fate continues to resonate. Vera’s journey from fan to performer is a testament to the enduring spirit of heavy metal and the bonds it creates.