I don't get how Mercyful Fate is permanently listed as "on hold." Only being "active" one year in 19, and that being in 2009, why can't we just say that band is done until something materializes?

According to this interview from this past June, they are working on new material. I am not going to quote it, as it is written in Italian and I had to rely on Google to translate it into English for me.

Well I suspect Paul O'Neill dying threw him for one. And he had a stroke in 2016! I think he may have lost a bit of weight if this pic is recent. He looks down to a sort of Meat Loaf level in it which would be much less concerning.

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jon-ol ... om-stroke/

I suspect he has even more to do in TSO now. It's unique, people love it and it makes money. What can you say, really.

Came here to mention Doomsword. They were fairly consistent till 2011 and then...nothing. I think maybe line up changes?

Anyways, glad to hear they're working on new material.

He basically says that after the line-up changes they restarted the writing process from scratch, and while they feel very inspired, it takes longer to get things done as they all are busier with work, family and other personal matters outside the band.

Dawn are still "active" because they're in the process of recording their next album. I've communicated with Fredrik online in 2017 and 2018 and he said the recording is going slowly but they are getting there. Last I heard all the guitars and drums are complete, and maybe the bass too.

They've been saying that since 2012. It would be different if they were actually playing shows, but I have zero hope there will be a new Dawn album before 2020.