Sarcofagus
Envoy of Death

January 2008
Released: 2007, Poptori
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Luxi Lahtinen

Finland´s independent label Poptori keeps on doing their very valuable and remarkable work by bringing some of the most obscure Finnish metal albums out from under the rocks back to the daylight again. This time this same privileged treatment was extended to Finland´s legendary Sarcofagus´ 2nd album, titled ENJOY OF DEATH that has nearly been impossible to find for many years... until now, of course.



ENVOY OF DEATH is also considered as the better album out of the two albums Sarcofagus released in 1980 (yes, two albums in the very same year). ENVOY OF DEATH was sort of more accessible musically, a tad heavier than CIRCLE OF LIFE, and contained probably the heaviest, most dark-flavored and hypnotic Sarcofagus track called "Black Contract" recorded at that time. This particular song is actually well seasoned with all those elements that all created a brand of well-recognizable sound for Sarcofagus back in the day - and in fact, not only this song, but also the rest of the songs on ENVOY OF DEATH have their own specific charm with that uniqueness of dark and psychedelic metal sound that they carried with them nearly 30 years ago. I think it also should be mentioned "Black Contract" was unfortunately the last recording of a session drummer Ronnie Österberg due to his untimely death.



As I pretty much summed up my thoughts about Sarcofagus in my review for their debut album CYCLE OF LIFE, my only last advice to all of you would be: Get their re-issues while they are still around there, now when they are still relatively easily available. Or alternatively, act after 10 years and... I wanna sincerely wish you happy hunting again. The choice is yours now... ;o)