Sarcófago "I.N.R.I. (1992 Reissue, Cogumelo Records)"

Sarcófago was a Brazilian extreme metal band formed in 1985. They were fronted by Sepultura's original singer, Wagner Lamounier, and Geraldo Minelli.

The front cover of the band's debut album, I.N.R.I., is regarded as a great influence on black metal's corpse paint style make-up. That record is also considered one of the "first wave" albums that helped shape the genre.

I.N.R.I. is the debut album by the Brazilian extreme metal band Sarcófago. It was recorded in July and released in August 1987.

Originally self-released as a cassette with photocopied covers. This album was re-released numerous times, with three different covers: orange (classic), blue and brown skeleton. The 2002 CD re-release by Cogumelo Records has 15 tracks.

Since their inception, Sarcófago's aim was to make the most aggressive music ever. Early musical blueprints included extreme metal stalwarts Celtic Frost, Bathory and Slayer, along with Finnish hardcore punk bands like Terveet Kädet and Rattus. The extensive use of blast beats on this album by drummer Eduardo "D.D. Crazy" made him a pioneer in the metal world. I.N.R.I.'s release has been considered a milestone in the evolution of black metal, although band bassist Geraldo "Incubus" Minelli continues to consider Sarcófago, to this date, a death metal band.

I.N.R.I. influenced black metal circles worldwide, particularly the Scandinavian portion of the so-called "second wave" of the genre. "It is sobering," claimed Terrorizer magazine, "to think of what wouldn't have happened had 'I.N.R.I.' not been released."

Fenriz of Darkthrone included a Sarcófago track ("Satanic Lust") in his The Best of Old-School Black Metal compilation released by Peaceville Records. Of Sarcófago's I.N.R.I., he said it was an "album" that "you buy or die." Euronymous, the deceased guitarist of Mayhem and erstwhile leader of the so-called "Inner Circle", traded correspondence with Lamounier in the early days of Norway's scene. According to the Lords of Chaos book, Euronymous was "obsessed" with Sarcófago's early image, and wanted all black metal bands to be modelled after it. Satyricon covered Sarcófago's "I.N.R.I." on their Intermezzo II EP, also featured on the Tribute to Sarcófago album, released by Cogumelo Records in 2001.

Notable black metal groups from neighbouring Finland were also affected by Sarcófago's early output. Mika Luttinen from Impaled Nazarene said that "nothing tops Slayer's Reign in Blood or Sarcófago's I.N.R.I., you know." Their version of "The Black Vomit" was included in Tribute to Sarcófago.

In 2009, IGN included I.N.R.I. in their "10 Great Black Metal Albums" list.

Tracklist:

1. Satanic Lust 03:09
2. Desecration of Virgin 02:03  
3. Nightmare 05:38   
4. I.N.R.I. 02:09  
5. Christ's Death 03:35   
6. Satanas 02:07  
7. Ready to Fuck 03:29  
8. Deathrash 01:35  
9. The Last Slaughter 04:48  
10. Recrucify 02:27   
11. The Black Vomit 02:23   

Time:   33:23  

This version includes coloured artwork and back cover made in two colors: red and yellow.

Tracks 10 and 11 are bonus songs, taken from "Warfare Noise I" compilation.

Recording information:

Recorded at J.G. Studio in August 1987.