Coprofago

D

erived from the Greek: copro = shit; fago = eat, Coprofago was formed in June of 1993 in Santiago, Chile, by Sebastián Vergara (guitar/vocals), Pablo Alvarez (guitar) and two friends of theirs. In November of 1994 they recorded their first demo, a 4 song tape titled simply Demo 1, featuring members whose average age was about 15 at the release time. Although the demo didn't have a good reception from the press, the tape sold out. In March of 1995, Marcelo Ruiz then entered as the drummer to replace original drummer Ignacio Suit.

In 1997 they then recorded their second album, Images of Despair. Before finishing the recording, the bassist left due to musical differences. Felipe Castro, old friend of Alverez and Vergara, took his place and finished the recording. The music of the LP was faster than any previous material, with progressive elements added, due to Alvarez's interest in Jazz-fusion at that time. But the album wasn't released right away due to a desire to augment Vergara's low growls, but failed to find a suitable vocalist.

In December of 1998 the promo single Empty Creature was released, featuring Alvarez's first attempt on vocal duties. The previous full length would finally come out in September of the following year with Alvarez as a definitive singer, making of Coprofago a 2-frontmen band; the album received a favorable critical response. Empty Creature was included in Grinder magazine's compilation, and the whole album had some airplay in local heavy metal radio shows even one year after its debut.