What makes Rotting by Sarcófago notable?

The EP is notable for its raw production and aggressive sound, influencing the burgeoning death metal scene in Brazil and beyond. It also gained attention for its controversial themes, contributing to discussions around censorship in music during the late 1980s. Rotting marked Sarcófago's transition from underground cult status to greater recognition in the heavy metal scene. Released in 1989, it followed their influential debut album, I.N.R.I., and solidified their reputation as pioneers of extreme Brazilian metal.

How many songs are on Rotting?

Rotting has 6 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Rotting

Sarcófago · 1989

32 min · 6 tracks · black metal

A ferocious blend of black, death, and thrash metal that channels chaos through guttural vocals and relentless instrumentation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Alcoholic Coma — This track showcases the band's signature intensity with its complex riffs and dark lyrical themes, encapsulating the raw energy of the EP.
→
Rotting — Serving as the title track, it exemplifies Sarcófago's ability to merge brutality with intricate song structures, making it a standout piece on the record.
→
Sex, Drinks & Metal — This track combines a catchy chorus with heavy instrumentation, reflecting the hedonistic themes prevalent in metal culture at the time.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album's raw sound and chaotic structure mark it as a significant entry in extreme metal.

What we noticed

The album opens with a rapid-fire drum pattern that sets an aggressive tone, maintaining high energy through the first three tracks.
Vocals are delivered in a guttural style, often layered with backing screams that create a chaotic atmosphere.
The final track features a slower tempo and more complex arrangements, contrasting sharply with the preceding intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Lust 0:29
2 Alcoholic Coma 6:07
3 Tracy 8:52
4 Rotting 7:05
5 Sex, Drinks & Metal 3:29
6 Nightmare 6:39

What to play next

Listen next

The Laws of Scourge

1991

Go back to

I.N.R.I.

1987

Full Sarcófago discography Artists like Sarcófago

black metal death metal thrash metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata