Released in 1993 by Metal Blade Records, "In the shadows" marked the return of legendary Danish proto-black / heavy metal act Mercyful Fate after the group was disbanded in the mid 1980's following the release of "Don't break the oath". Although largely more "modern" in structure, sound and production than "Melissa" or "Don't break the oath", "In the shadows" is considered by many fans to have been a successful return for Mercyful Fate, with several songs now considered among the band's best including "Egypt", "The bell witch" and "Is that you, Melissa". The album marks a departure from the band's Satanic fueled lyricism, although much of the subject matter is still focused on death, and the occult (i.e. "Egypt"). "In the shadows" is also notable for being slower in tempo yet more aggressive & dirgy than their prior and subsequent albums.