SARCOFAGUS, the legendary first heavy metal band in Finland founded in 1977 by guitarist Kimmo Kuusniemi, are in the process of releasing all their original LPs are as Luxury Vinyl editions via Finland's Svart Records.

Sarcofagus Live In Studio (1979) and Cycle Of Life (1980) are curretly available worldwide through the following distributors:

Finland: Svart Records (www.svartrecords.com)

Sweden: Record Heaven

Germany: High Roller, Underground Power, Iron Bonehead

France: Season of Mist

UK: Code7 / Plastichead

USA: Relapse Records

Netherlands: Bertus, Clear Spot

BW&BK; has received the following update:

"The next worldwide Sarcofagus re-releases by Svart Records will be Luxury Vinyl Editions of 1980 Envoy Of Death LP, and Sarcofagus guitarist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI BAND's 1981 Motobirds/Moottorilinnut LP and full album length video. Sarcofagus is currently mixing the new Live In Studio 2010 album recorded in one day in October 2010 following their Back From The Dead tour in Finland.

Cycle Of Life re-issue details:

This is a luxury re-issue of their first studio LP Cycle Of Life from 1980. The new edition is remastered for vinyl from the original master tapes and wrapped inside a glossy gatefold jacket. Includes a large booklet with all the material from the original, rare inserts plus new liner notes from band leader Kimmo Kuusniemi, as well as previously unseen photos.

Kuusniemi comments: "Cycle Of Life album came out soon after the Live In Studio 1979 tape and the 'Go To Hell' / 'All Those Lies' single, also out in 1979. The record label JP-Music released and distributed the Sarcofagus single to radio stations and music reporters to test the waters, and to find out if there was a market for a heavy rock album in Finland. The single wasn't even available in the shops. However, I had already talked the record label into releasing an album. In my mind the band's future success was undeniable, unavoidable, guaranteed and great!

Sarcofagus was meant to be a heavy rock band, and that was the direction Cycle Of Life was taking. The recording was done at the Pan Studio, Helsinki, the place already familiar from the earlier sessions, with Timo Toikka as the recording engineer. This time we had whole three days of studio time in our use! Juha Kiminki played bass, Ari-Pekka Roitto drums, Hannu Leiden vocals and acoustic guitar, and we also had some guest stars: Hanna Heikinheimo playing flute and for the first time, Esa Kotilainen, the keyboard wizard, synthesizers. Since then Esa has become an essential part of the band."

Details are as follows:

-- 140 gram clear vinyl, sturdy glossy gatefold jacket, large 8 page booklet with unseen photos and information. Limited to 500 copies on clear vinyl.
-- 180 gram black vinyl limited to 200 copies, sturdy glossy gatefold jacket, large 8 page booklet with unseen photos and information.

Go to this location to order.

Live In Studio 1979 re-issue details:

This is the long-lost first recording of the grandfathers of Finnish heavy metal. This tape was made in Pan Studio, Helsinki Finland, during a single recording session in May 1979 and buried in time soon after. Lately the tape was rediscovered and is now available on limited high quality vinyl, as it should be.

These early tracks are a brilliant document of the birth of Sarcofagus - the music has its roots in blues and progressive rock, as the band was still searching for its distinctive heavy metal style. Finnish national radio played some of these songs, which then led to a record deal and the rest is heavy metal history.

This is the first ever official vinyl release of this forgotten Sarcofagus Live In Studio 1979 tape. Previously it has only been available as a limited edition CD from the band's website.

Original lineup: Kimmo Kuusniemi (guitar), Hannu Leiden (vocals), Juha Kiminki (bass) and Kai "Sandy" Sand (drums).

All tracks by Kuusniemi/Leiden:

'All Those Stories'

'Back To Black'

'Go To Hell'

'Here I Am'

'Lies'

'When I'm Gone'

'Thought Of A Sculpture'

The Black Limited Edition 180 gram version, only few copies available! 350 gram heavy rough gatefold covers plus a large 16 pp booklet with liner notes and unseen photographs.

The Clear Limited Edition beautifully remastered on 140 gram clear vinyl! 350 gram heavy rough gatefold covers plus a large 16 pp booklet with liner notes and unseen photographs!

This luxury vinyl release was made by Svart Records in Finland, 2010. The vinyl is newly mastered respecting the original tape master.

By buying straight from the Sarcofagus site you will support the band right away - and if requested get Kimmo Kuusniemi's signature!