SARCOFAGUS

All posts tagged SARCOFAGUS

Nuclear War Now Re-Releases SARCOFAGUS’ “Cycle Of Life” And “Moottorilinnut” Albums as Luxury Gatefold Vinyls

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 28, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

NUCLEAR WAR NOW re-releases SARCOFAGUS‘ “Cycle Of Life” And Kimmo Kuusniemi Band (Sarcofagus) “Moottorilinnut” (Motorbirds) Albums as luxury Gatefold Vinyls.

Guitarist and film maker Kimmo Kuusniemi: ’I was very pleased with the high quality Nuclear War Now “Envoy Of Death” Vinyl and Compact Cassette re-releases. Now I am very pleased to announce that NUCLEAR WAR NOW re-releases Sarcofagus “Cycle Of Life” and Kimmo Kuusniemi Band (Sarcofagus) “Moottorilinnut” (Motorbirds) Albums as luxury Gatefold Vinyls.

At the same time I am working Sarcofagus “Live For The Last Time” recording. This is the only full Sarcofagus concert ever recorded. This is 100% authentic recording, no fixings in the studio!”

Here you can read a nice review of the previous NUCLEAR WAR NOW Sarcofagus “Envoy Of Death” re-release from Metal Temple.

Metal Temple: “I very much enjoyed this album. It really is something special, a bizarre fossil of a different time in music, which stretches itself and the genre of early Heavy Metal to the limits. The performances are all superb, and the head spinning array of effects and experimental sounds imbue the whole affair with an intoxicating and ghostly atmosphere. An explosion of creativity, it is ahead of its time in some ways, and building on what has come before in others. This album will excite and disturb you, but it will certainly never bore you.” Chris Hicklin

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 8

Read the whole article at http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/s_2/sarcofagus-envoy-of.htm

Just recently KIMMO KUUSNIEMI released “Made In Russia” and “Live in Japan” KORPIKLAANI documentaries for free view, via YouTube, links below.

“Made in Russia” and “Live in Japan” Documentaries

Finnish Folk Metal legends Korpiklaani and filmmaker Kimmo Kuusniemi made an extended and hectic tour of Russia, traveling from St. Petersburg to Siberia and back. On a follow up tour – this time to Japan with Finnish metal legend, Waltari – they had more time to contemplate Japanese lifestyle and history. Film maker Kimmo Kuusniemi traveled with the band. His documentaries are now released online for free view.

Watch “MADE IN RUSSIA” and “LIVE IN JAPAN” now on YouTube!

MADE IN RUSSIA (39min 22sec) – https://youtu.be/MuQfDPl-m30
LIVE IN JAPAN (31min 22sec) – https://youtu.be/n_cm6VHZM3M

More information at
MADE IN RUSSIA: http://www.madeinrussia.uk
LIVE IN JAPAN: http://www.liveinjapan.co.uk
SPLIT SCREEN FILMS: http://www.splitscreendocs.com

About Korpiklaani

Korpiklaani are a folk metal band originally from Lahti, Finland, founded by Jonne Järvelä. While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal. Korpiklaani lyrics often originate from ancient Finnish and Sami traditions, and the band mixes tough heavy metal and traditional music played with instruments such as the violin, accordion and even jouhikko and torupill. The band have made twelve full-length albums so far.

About Kimmo Kuusniemi

Kimmo Kuusniemi is a professional film maker and musician based in UK. He has made numerous films from music videos to International TV Series. With his partner in film, Eugene O’Connor, together and separately they have worked with such names as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Madonna, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Kimmo’s band Sarcofagus were formed in 1978 and were the first Finnish heavy metal band. He also made probably the first in the world broadcast quality album length music video “Moottorilinnut” in 1980.

In 2008, Kuusniemi made an international TV documentary Promised Land Of Heavy Metal about the Finnish metal scene as a co-production with Finnish Broadcasting company YLE. As he is known the “Godfather of Finnish Metal” he had unlimited access to the Finnish metal scene, which also even helped him to get an interview with Madame President of Finland.

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

Film Maker And Sarcofagus Guitarist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI Announces SARCOFAGUS Documentary “Live For The Last Time” + Releases “Made In Russia” And “Live in Japan” KORPIKLAANI Documentaries for Free View

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 25, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Film maker and Sarcofagus guitarist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI has announced a SARCOFAGUS documentary “LIVE FOR THE LAST TIME” and releases “Made In Russia” and “Live in Japan” KORPIKLAANI documentaries for free view, via YouTube, links below.

New Sarcofagus Documentary

Kimmo Kuusniemi: “In September 2010 Sarcofagus started a comeback tour. We did 3 gigs and there were more gigs lined up for later in the year but the 23rd September gig in Dante’s ended up being the last gig for Sarcofagus, ever.

I filmed plenty footage of Sarcofagus preparing for the comeback; rehearsals, planning, backstage, video diary…

The documentary looks into getting a band after 30 years back on the road and why it all ended so abruptly.

Sarcofagus retired finally last year but I just felt this documentary needs to be done.
There will also be released a full Dante’s Gig “Live for the Last Time” album. On this gig we also had guests appearing. The audio recording is also cool as it is a straight mix from the Dante’s gig. So it is 100% authentic live; not a multitrack that has been fixed in studio like most of the “Live” releases are :)”

“Made in Russia” and “Live in Japan” Documentaries

Finnish Folk Metal legends Korpiklaani and filmmaker Kimmo Kuusniemi made an extended and hectic tour of Russia, traveling from St. Petersburg to Siberia and back. On a follow up tour – this time to Japan with Finnish metal legend, Waltari – they had more time to contemplate Japanese lifestyle and history. Film maker Kimmo Kuusniemi traveled with the band. His documentaries are now released online for free view.

MADE IN RUSSIA Documentary

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI: “I did not need to think twice when Jonne (Vocalist, Korpiklaani) asked me if I would like to make a documentary about the Korpiklaani’s extensive Russia/Siberia tour. I knew instantly this would be one of a kind trip. I have travelled the world extensively making films but this journey was completely different from anything else I have experienced. Due to the relentless schedules, all the time on the road on planes, trains and automobiles forced me to re-think the film equipment and filming techniques. This turned out to be great gamble that paid off royally as the look and style of the documentary ended up like something you never seen before.”

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI (VIOLIN): “During the live shows Kimmo blended in with the crowd and was almost un-noticable with his gimbal camera setup. He was able to really deliver the real live show feeling of the packed clubs. When I look at these documentaries they really have captured the essence of the journeys, audiences and the band on stage.”

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI: “The latest development in camera technology has really taken away a lot the limitations of film making. Now I can do things I was dreaming about 10 years ago!”

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI (VIOLIN): ”The Russian tour allowed me to visit exceptional places for the first time. I had dreamt of visiting Lake Baikal for decades because of its unique nature and strong shamanism that is still alive among the indigenous peoples. While I was dreaming of seeing these places, our fans had been dreaming of seeing us live. So this tour was full of win-win situations, different dreams coming true. I am very grateful for our fans, who at the end, made this trip possible.”

Kimmo Kuusniemi, himself of heavy metal fame, known as “the godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal”, is a filmmaker by trade. Packing his equipment he set out with Korpiklaani – on an amazing road trip all over Russia. The result was unforeseen footage of Russian heavy metal fandom and the wonders of this huge country of diverse cultures.

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI: “In Khabarovsk, We (me and Kimmo) wanted to visit the Amur river and the Nanai tribe people. I posted this wish on Facebook and that’s how one of our fans, Boris, contacted us and arranged everything. It would have been very difficult to do this without local help.”

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI: “Meeting the Nanai people was one of the many highlights of the journey through Siberia. Travelling through Siberian landscapes on a Skidoo in -30 C, hearing the stories about the ancient petroglyphs by the frozen Amur river, eating frozen raw fish with vodka and trying at the same time to film as much as possible before the cameras froze over was an unforgettable experience.”

LIVE IN JAPAN Documentary

Another trip took Kuusniemi and Korpiklaani to Japan. Here three generations of Finnish Metal; Kimmo, one of the first Finnish metalheads, and Korpiklaani, a furious act of modern folk metal met with another Finnish legend, Kärtsy Hatakka and his band Waltari. The trip proved to be a series of intensive gigs and a journey into the open minds of Japanese metal fans, while on the side Korpiklaani’s shaman violinist Tuomas Rounakari and Kimmo wanted to make acquaintances with the ancient history of the land of the rising sun.

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI: “The Finns and Japanese have a strange connection. We both appreciate silence more than most other cultures. Maybe it is due to the still lasting connection to the nature that is in the center of ancient beliefs of both cultures.”

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI: “In the past I have made some commercial films for Japanese markets but I had never visited before. Japan is a very interesting contradiction of industrial high tech in perfect harmony with the ancient traditions. In between the gigs me and Tuomas tried to see as much as we could of the old traditional side of Japan.”

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI: “We had a hilarious interview in Japan. We found out that most of our songs were very obscurely translated to japanese, mostly in innuendo way. Apparently these curious titles were one aspect of our fame in the country.’

The resulting documentaries are a rare peek into the on-the-road life of grown up men behaving as rockers on stage. But they are also a tribute to the international heavy metal fan family: wherever the bands go, they receive a warm and hearty welcome. The live footage shot by state-of-the-art technology, is enigmatic, and the behind-the-scenes material shows the band exploring local cultures, from the Siberian tundra to cherry orchards in Japan.

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI: “One great thing of making these documentaries was that I met Tuomas. We are very like minded and we already are working on my new project called “Ancient Streaming Assembly” that combines music and myths.
More about that soon.”

Watch “MADE IN RUSSIA” and “LIVE IN JAPAN” now on YouTube!

MADE IN RUSSIA (39min 22sec) – https://youtu.be/MuQfDPl-m30
LIVE IN JAPAN (31min 22sec) – https://youtu.be/n_cm6VHZM3M

More information at
MADE IN RUSSIA: http://www.madeinrussia.uk
LIVE IN JAPAN: http://www.liveinjapan.co.uk
SPLIT SCREEN FILMS: http://www.splitscreendocs.com

About Korpiklaani

Korpiklaani are a folk metal band originally from Lahti, Finland, founded by Jonne Järvelä. While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal. Korpiklaani lyrics often originate from ancient Finnish and Sami traditions, and the band mixes tough heavy metal and traditional music played with instruments such as the violin, accordion and even jouhikko and torupill. The band have made twelve full-length albums so far.

About Kimmo Kuusniemi

Kimmo Kuusniemi is a professional film maker and musician based in UK. He has made numerous films from music videos to International TV Series. With his partner in film, Eugene O’Connor, together and separately they have worked with such names as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Madonna, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Kimmo’s band Sarcofagus were formed in 1978 and were the first Finnish heavy metal band. He also made probably the first in the world broadcast quality album length music video “Moottorilinnut” in 1980.

In 2008, Kuusniemi made an international TV documentary Promised Land Of Heavy Metal about the Finnish metal scene as a co-production with Finnish Broadcasting company YLE. As he is known the “Godfather of Finnish Metal” he had unlimited access to the Finnish metal scene, which also even helped him to get an interview with Madame President of Finland.

Godfathers of Finnish Metal SARCOFAGUS Refuse To Die! Envoy of Death Is Back Once Again!

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 13, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

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

Filmmaker + Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal KIMMO KUUSNIEMI Talks About SARCOFAGUS, His New Project ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY + Many More

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Just recently Luxi Lahtinen from The Metal Crypt conducted an in-depth interview with the Finnish Filmmaker + Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal KIMMO KUUSNIEMI, talking about Sarcofagus, Kimmo’s new project Ancient Streaming Assembly, revealing the first-ever time many interesting details. Among other topics, Kimmo and Luxi talked about the current world situation and how and why Kimmo’s new Split Screen Management got started.

“Kimmo Kuusniemi, who’s always been the heart and soul of the band, is far from being completely retired from making new music. In fact, as it is said when one thing comes to an end, often it’s the start of something new.”

Read below some excerpts of the interview:

“Time to change course and listen to my inner voice. This new project has been on my mind for a long time and now it has been my main project for the past year.”

“One thing people don’t really know is that heavy metal is just part of my musical background. I also listen to progressive, jazz, experimental music. All kinds of things that are already in Sarcofagus but also still very strongly present in me.”

“The new project I’m working on now has no lyrics at all. The main idea is that the vocals are used as an instrument. There are messages, but they are in the songs and in the videos and in the atmospheric things that we have made. That’s the thing. The new project is going back to the old sagas and the stories from the past. Yes, it’s different. I’m trying to tell the stories with the music, not the lyrics, so that’s kind of different.”

“One of the greatest compliments for an artist is that you have created something that you will be remembered for. I am actually very honored to be called the Godfather of Finnish Metal. Yeah! I think that is super cool!”

“The project Ancient Streaming Assembly (ASA)… is a collective cross-arts project. The idea of cross-arts is understood only from the very piece of art itself as it comes to life. It is defined by the moment artists in collaboration cross their own discipline borders to make art that is vibrant, alive, and speaks to an audience, small or large. ASA is unravelling the ancient myths and legends of the world. These epic stories were songs first, so the music has always played a fundamental part in them.”

Talking about Split Screen Management…
“The music business is full of crooks so what we are trying to do is to create a fair and just service that will help bands to prosper. All of us have a very long history of working in the entertainment business. So, besides the general management, we can help bands to avoid repeating the same old mistakes.”

“COVID-19 has been just horrendous for everyone and especially bad for the entertainment industry. A bad thing can also be a good thing.”

“The bad thing was that COVID-19 ruined everything I had been working for. The good thing was that it made me rethink my life and as a result I now have a new music project well underway, and I met great people to start up a management business.”

“I hope that other people might also be looking at their lives to re-evaluate what is actually important.”

Read the whole interview here: http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviews.php?intid=739

More information at
http://www.splitscreen-management.com
https://www.facebook.com/SplitScreenManagement
http://www.sarcofagus.com/

Godfathers of Finnish Heavy Metal – SARCOFAGUS – Release The Very First/Last Cassette EP “Abscence of Light”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 11, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

SARCOFAGUS, The Godfathers of Finnish Heavy Metal, fronted by filmmaker and musician Kimmo Kuusniemi, at the end of 2020 declared the band has returned to the Valley Of The Kings.

Kimmo Kuusniemi, Ex Sarcofagus: “Well, I was sure Sarcofagus will not die easily 🙂 “Absence Of Light” was meant to be the title of the last Sarcofagus album release but before it was recorded I had decided it was time for Sarcofagus to go back to the Valley Of The Kings.

Toni Hietomaa made the fantastic cover for the album and now it is rightly the cover of this Compact Cassette release.

This is also a perfect end release for Sarcofagus. The first album was called “Cycle Of Life”. This release could have also been called “Cycle Closes” as it has the 1st single “Go To Hell/All Those Lies” from 1979. Then it has new versions of “Go To Hell” and “Astral Flyer”.

All these are sung by the original singer Hannu Leiden.

One reason why the “Absence Of Light” Album did not get finished was that in 2019, before the Covid, I thought that as the world was just getting darker and darker and because of the doomsday lyrics on the album I decided it was time to do something new!

So now I have been working for over a year on a new project, I call the music style “Nu World Music” 🙂 I have great musicians on it like violin player Tuomas Rounakari (Korpiklaani) and Bass player Steve Digiorgio (Testament). More about this project soon.

There are also available for order on http://www.sarcofagus.com “Absence Of Light” T Shirt and Poster to commemorate the end of an era.”

Old Skull Productions stated in their press release:

OUT NOW!!!!
Sarcofagus 🇫🇮 – Absence of Light

The very first/last cassette EP of the Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal!!! “Abscence of Light” EP contains the very first single from 1979 and two re-recorded tracks (recorded in 2008) with the original members. Back when men dressing in black leather, wearing makeup and wielding occult regalia were most likely to be targets for bottle throwing competitions at the rock clubs, one man by the name of Kimmo Kuusniemi hit the scene with the heavy sounds of the damned, shooting fire from his guitar and developing his stage shows around the mysteries of ancient Egypt and black magic. The “Go to Hell” single release from his brainchild SARCOFAGUS in 1979 went down in history as the first pure Finnish Heavy Metal release.

Limited to 41 copies on red cassettes, with 37 mm pin buttons (four different designs by T. Kannibalet Hietomaa Art) and 9×6 cm stickers.

Order: https://old-skull-productions.soldigo.com/sarcofagus-absence-of-light_286309

Kiitos to Toni Hietomaa and Kimmo Kuusniemi! Heavy Metal is the law!

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

Video Interview: Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal /Filmmaker KIMMO KUUSNIEMI Talks About The End Of SARCOFAGUS And His Future Plans

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 15, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Just recently Scars And Guitars‘ Andrew McKaysmith conducted a long and far-reaching conversation with KIMMO KUUSNIEMI, talking about the end of SARCOFAGUS and his future plans. The video interview starts with a short history of Sarcofagus and Kimmo Kuusniemi with music video clips.

Watch the video interview here:

or stream the interview at this location.

Conversation topics:
1) The thinking behind ending Sarcofagus
2) Kimmo provides a comprehensive summary of Sarcofagus’ albums and other releases
3) His plans for the future and projects he’s working on
4) The impact of COVID-19 on the music business
5) Film and TV work, especially ‘The Promised Land of Heavy Metal’
6) Observations on social issues

More information at http://www.sarcofagus.com

At the end of 2020 Kimmo Kuusniemi declared that SARCOFAGUS has returned to the Valley Of The Kings.

Kimmo stated: “Sarcofagus has been great balance of fun and pain. My albums have always had social commentary as many of my films have. I had come to the conclusions on the CORE VALUES re-release video long before the Covid19 pandemic arrived, that I am fed up with writing songs about social problems. Technology is progressing with ever increasing speed but us as humans we seem to be doomed to repeat our mistakes.

Since Covid started I have been working on a new audio visual project. This combines my need to create something new both in music and in film. There is already several songs finished with collaboration with great musicians from Siberia to Los Angeles.

This project will be released as album, videos and a world tour. Without going yet into too much detail this project is designed to work in the post Covid world. When we get over this virus I do not think the music business will ever be the same. So it is time to re-invent the wheel 😉

Ending Sarcofagus has been in my mind quite long time but this year it became very clear that there is no space for Sarcofagus in my mind anymore. Time for a reset.

Sarcofagus has been an interesting and complicated 43 year rollercoaster ride, but everything comes to an end. At the end of this press release there is the Sarcofagus story ‘in brief’. The same story with plenty photos, some never published before, are available online at http://www.sarcofagus.com .

On digital platforms (Spotify, iTunes…) you will also find the newest single release “Absence Of Light”, accompanied by a fresh remake of the song “Go To Hell”, featuring an almost original lineup of the band.

We started the band with Hannu Leiden, Juha Kiminki and Esa Kotilainen so like the title of the first album “Cycle Of Life” another Cycle of Life has come to a full circle with the “Absence Of Light” release.

The “Absence Of Light” was meant to be the next Sarcofagus album but in 2019 I decided to stop working on it. There already were few songs made for it.

Now the fantastic artwork for “Absence Of Light” by Toni Hietomaa are available as Sarcofagus T shirt and A3 Poster from the Sarcofagus website: http://www.sarcofagus.com.

These are made to order for awhile. So there is no stock and these are aimed for the fans and collectors to commemorate the 43 years of metal work.

The next project will be introduced soon so stay tuned.

Thank you for all the fans who have been supporting us through these years!”

Kimmo Kuusniemi

More information at http://www.sarcofagus.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

More information at http://www.sarcofagus.com