Well, this album was released 21 years ago and we had to wait for a long 21 years to get a vinyl version of this album; the last album recorded and released by Brazilian SARCOFAGO. These songs were, like these from Hate`s, recorded using a drum machine and are different from what the earlier SARCOFAGO had to offer us. The music is slower and mostly mid-paced. Therefore, seems much more accessible for all those who don’t prefer ultra-fast songs. The only exception being Satanic Lust`s new version, which seems even more twisted than the original one (on INRI or demos). Getting back to this album after so many years, I think this stuff hasn’t aged at all. This album is still full of emotions, there is plenty of anger and frustration in these sounds. Slower than Hate, The Worst does sound very powerful. I wasn’t too happy with a drum machine used on this album, but with time I have learned to ignore it; especially when I can enjoy powerful riffs this album provides me with. Yeah, I have never liked a “dead drummer” in music but, well, when it comes to SARCOFAGO, it is hard for me to be impartial. Hate it or love it, this is what SARCOFAGO`s music brings up in me. Yes, I love their music unconditionally so I can forgive them this aberration, this time. Of course, when we take a closer look at SARCOFAGO`s music, we can notice how much their style has progressed. This album is, technically, much more advanced than their previous doings. The arrangements are more mature; when it comes to Wagner`s handling his guitar, yes, he`d improved a lot, clearly. There are a lot of changes in the guitar solos that SARCOFAGO offers us. Is it good or bad? Both, I think. I yearn for this very venom the INRI album was so full of; on the flip side, I am happy these guys weren’t stagnant and moved forward, improving their skills. So why not try something new, some fresh artistic directions? And don’t get me wrong, this is still SARCOFAGO, you cannot mistake this band for any other (well, some similarities to SEPULTURA are perhaps inevitable, but hell, as for SARCOFAGO this is not a desired comparison when thinking about Wagner`s opinion on them). Good things about this album are Wagner`s vocals, these are truly amazing; perfectly composed tracks, subtle, keyboards (which appear and disappear here and there) – in result, we are given an amazingly mysterious atmosphere that this album gives off. I am very happy Greyhazere-issued this album on vinyl, this stuff needs this noble medium, no doubt. And trust me, the label did their best to take a proper care of this vinyl edition. This comes as a gatefold, on color vinyl, with a poster and insert. A real deal for anyone who worships this amazing band. The group split up twenty years ago but they are still influencing and inspiring thousands of bands all over the world. SARCOFAGO stands for the legacy of true metal; the legacy that needs our attention as these Brazilians carried the flame of awesomeness through their amazing band and which, back in the 80s, trod new paths of extreme metal.

Necronosferatus