Vulcano – Bloody Vengeance [1986]

Vulcano may not be as well known as their Brazilian comrades Sepultura, but they may be just as, or even more, important to the evolution of extreme metal, having often been cited as the first band from Brazil to play a style of black/death metal in the 80’s. Having started in ’81, you could actually say that Vulcano would have influenced their peers and possibly inspired them to pick up their guitars in the first place. After having released a few obscure traditional metal demos and a live album they unleashed their debut full length, the legendary “Bloody Vengeance” upon the world.

Recorded in a mere 24 hours, the production isn’t the best, but it fits the evil and chaotic sound nicely. Once you’ve heard the opening track “Dominios of Death”, you’ll see what I mean and you’ll either be flailing about like a mad man or reaching for the stop button. The music itself is a blend of Venom-esque speed metal and chaotic early Brazillian death/thrash metal; it’s nasty, rough, raw and evil. Songs like “Spirits of Evil”, “Ready to Explode”, “Holocaust”, “Death Metal” and the slower closing title track provide a fine example of primitive extreme metal and the foundation of the early Brazilian scene.

There’s not much else that can really be said about a full length album that clocks in around the 23 minute mark, but “Bloody Vengeance” is an untouchable and undeniable classic of South American evil and a must own for any serious fan of black, death or thrash metal.

Highlights:

Dominions of Death

Spirits of Evil

Death Metal  

Final Rating:
 Masterpiece 9.0/10

Sarcófago – I.N.R.I. [1987]

You will be hard-pressed to find a fan of underground extreme metal who doesn’t acknowledge or respect the influence of the late 80s/early 90’s Brazillian scene. Bands such as Sepultura, Holocausto, Mutilator, Chakal, Impurity and so on made a global impact on death and black metal that is undeniable. Today, I am going to focus on Sarcófago’s legendary debut album “I.N.R.I.”…

Released in August 1987 following a few demos and the legendary “Warfare Noise I” split (also featuring Mutilator, Chakal and Holocausto), “I.N.R.I.” still stands today as one of the most primitive and evil albums ever recorded. Most songs plow ahead at full speed; chock full of blast beats that smack you in the face like a nail board to the fucking face, intense tremolo riffs that cut through the soundwaves like a mad chainsaw killer unleashed from a mental institution hidden deep within the South American jungle, bass that’s only semi-audible yet still beats you over the head every now and then, and the sickest, most evil vocals ever; imagine “Obssessed by Cruelty” era Tom Angelripper experiencing a psychopathic break and you’ll come pretty close to how Antichrist sounds.

The production is raw and ugly, and may take a few listens to get used to, but once it sinks in you won’t regret spending so much time with this record. Some of my favourite tracks are; “Satanic Lust” which opens the album and instantly goes for the throat, “Nightmare” where the band decides to slow the speed down a notch at the beginning leading up to a barrage of intense madness at the end, “Christ’s Death” which contains some of the most inhuman vocals of all time and is an extremely twisted track in itself, and finally “Deathrash” which contains the ultimate South American battle cry of “if you are a false don’t entry”.

To say that this album is just as important as early Sodom, Bathory and Hellhammer would be a fair statement, in my opinion, if you haven’t heard this gem of sloppy and imperfect brilliance, you really are missing out.

Highlights:

Nightmare
Christ's Death
Deathrash

Final Rating:
Masterpiece 9.5/10