Kimmo Kuusniemi: “In 2020 I thought I had finally buried Sarcofagus for good in the Valley Of The Kings with the last “Absence of Light” Compact Cassette release.
Right after I returned from Sarcofagus funeral service in Egypt I received a call telling me: “It is Nuclear War Now here!” First I thought that what we had been singing and dreading about in 80s had finally happened, Nuclear War Now! Well turned out it was a record label from USA who wanted to re-release the “Envoy of Death” as vinyl. Right after this I received a call from Bloodrock Records, Italy who wanted to release “Envoy Of Death” as CD.
Well… That is quite cool! After 41 years “Envoy Of Death” is still in demand and respected. What more can a mortal musician hope than to make music that is immortal! It makes all the countless hours, days, weeks, years spent in living and breathing your own music worth awhile.
There is also talk to release some old Sarcofagus never before released music, but more about that later.
The NWN “Envoy Of Death” re-release is a very high quality product and the clear/blue marble version is super cool! The “Envoy of Death” NWN re-release is out now!
The Bloodrock Records CD release date has not yet been confirmed but it should be out in September.
So check these out and stay tuned for my next project called “Ancient Streaming Assembly”. “
Sarcofagus “Envoy Of Death” Nuclear War Now Re-Release 2021
(Description by C. Conrad)
Although Britain is rightfully credited for the historic effect that its heavy metal scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s had on the genre as a whole, the significance of a scene that was developing at the same time to its northeast should not be overlooked.
In Sweden, for example, bands like Heavy Load, Gotham City, and Mercy were beginning to establish themselves. Similarly, in Sweden’s neighbour to the east, a group named Sarcofagus emerged as Finland’s first heavy metal band under the primary direction of Kimmo Kuusniemi.
Sarcofagus first released the “Go to Hell / All Those Lies” single in 1979, and then quickly released its first two albums in 1980, the very same year in which Iron Maiden released its self-titled debut.
The first of these recordings, “Cycle of Life,” provided evidence of a talented group that was on the brink of fully defining itself. While it is a worthy accomplishment in its own right, “Cycle of Life” was to be overshadowed by its imminent successor, “Envoy of Death.”
Over the span of its first three recordings, Sarcofagus underwent a few lineup changes, which culminated in the quintet of Kuusniemi (guitars), Juha Kiminki (bass), Ari-Pekka Roitto (drums), Esa Kotilainen (keyboards), and Jukka Homi (vocals) on the second album.
Following the “Go to Hell / All Those Lies” single, the addition of Kotilainen, one of the most accomplished keyboardists in all of Finland, proved to be of essential significance to the band’s climactic sound, which had fully developed by the time the second album was recorded. Although it is heavy metal at its core, “Envoy of Death” also exudes elements of heavy psych, which are often expressed in the atmospheres created by the keyboard passages and the twisted, effect-laden guitar leads. While this sound is easily observed by even the most casual listener, what is perhaps more elusive is the thematic concept that frames the album and gives purpose to each song.
“Envoy of Death” narrates the story of six lives that have followed their own unique paths to their ultimate conclusions and now face final judgment. The opening/title track introduces the listener to the trial, and each of the six ensuing tracks recounts the life and death of one of the “defendants,” whose fate is soon to be determined.
As a longtime fan of Sarcofagus, and “Envoy of Death” in particular, Nuclear War Now! is honoured to reissue this masterpiece of pioneering Finnish heavy metal, which shall serve to remind us of our own black contracts, whose fulfilment awaits us at our pending demise.
Track List:
Side A:
Envoy Of Death
Back To Black
Wheels Of Destruction
Insane Rebels
Side B:
Die To Win
Stolen Salvation
Black Contract
-First pressing of 500 copies on 180 gram vinyl.
-Gatefold jacket with UV gloss finish.
-A4 booklet with rare images and liner notes.
-First 100 copies will receive clear/blue marble vinyl.
Vinyl Online ordering: http://www.nwnprod.com/?p=14349
CD Online ordering: https://www.facebook.com/bloodrockrecordsitaly
More information at
SARCOFAGUS: http://www.sarcofagus.com | https://www.facebook.com/Sarcofagus-178076702209822
MANAGEMENT: https://www.facebook.com/SplitScreenManagement | http://www.splitscreen-management.com
SARCOFAGUS IN A NUTSHELL:
Sarcofagus is reputed to be one of the most influential & original Scandinavian Progressive Heavy Metal Bands (formed 1977). They have inspired numerous new metal bands.
-Officially the first Finnish Heavy Metal Band
-First Finnish Heavy Metal Band singing in Finnish
-First Scandinavian Heavy Metal Band to have a female vocalist (Muska Babitzin)
-First Scandinavian Band (first in the world?) to release a FULL ALBUM length story/broadcast quality video ever (Moottorilinnut/Motorbirds). This was before MTV, rental or sales videos and before people had VHS players
-1979-1982 Released 1 Single and 3 Albums (Single: Go to Hell/All those Lies 1979, Albums: Cycle of Life 1980, Envoy of Death 1980, Moottorilinnut 1982)
-Kimmo Kuusniemi was the 1st spoke person for Finnish Heavy Metal. He also started the Finnish Heavy Metal Association to bring together all the Finnish metal fans
-Kimmo Kuusniemi brought metal to radio, TV and papers where he was often used as the expert to explain the metal philosophy to reporters
-1996 the albums Cycle of Life and Envoy of Death re released as CDs in Italy by Mellotron
-2004 Kimmo Kuusniemi released a downloadable free web version of 1981 Moottorilinnut (Motorbirds) album with original alternative Sarcofagus cover
-2006 Cycle of Life re released in Finland
-2007 Envoy of Death and Moottorilinnut (Motorbirds) re released in Finland
-2007 the 4th Sarcofagus album “Core Values” came out after 25 years with most of the original band onboard; Kimmo Kuusniemi (guitars/drums), Esa Kotilainen (keyboards), Juha Kiminki (bass) and Tanja Katinka Karttunen (vocals)
-2008 limited edition CD release of an previously unpublished studio tape “Sarcofagus Live in Studio 1979″, and a limited edition DVD release of the 1982 full album length music video “Moottorilinnut”
-2008 Kimmo Kuusniemi produced a feature length HD TV documentary “Promised Land of Heavy Metal” that tells the story of the Finnish Metal Phenomenon (featuring also Sarcofagus) – Finland is the only country in the world where metal is now mainstream. The film is directed by Tanja Katinka Karttunen. It is in worldwide TV and DVD distribution (and also available as an iPhone App)
-2009 Sarcofagus Anthology 1979-1982 double CD by Rocket Records published in Finland, including the first Single and 3 Albums, artwork and booklet with lyrics, history of the band and a foreword by Kimmo Kuusniemi
-2010 First Finnish Metal Band to have an iPhone App
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 