KIMMO KUUSNIEMI BAND members vocalist Jukka Ritari, guitarist Kimmo Kuusniemi, bassist Juha Kiminki and drummer Upi Sorvali all figured in SARCOFAGUS. Known as of the earliest Finnish Metal bands, SARCOFAGUS had the smell of leather in their nostrils and a taste of extreme Metalon their collective tongue. Despite becoming perhaps the best known Finnish Rock group of the period the band's albums suffered from often dire sound quality.

An early line-up of the group figured drummer Upi Soraul and guitarist Jaiko Kiminki whilst the 'Cycle Of Life' album boasted one Hannu Leiden on vocals and second guitar. Leiden would later front the Capitol signed Finnish group HAVANA BLACK in the late 80s.

Due to record company politics the SARCOFAGUS name was dropped. The group at first intended to use the title K.G.B. (Kimmo Guusniemi Band) but would actually evolve into KIMMO KUUSNIEMI BAND. An album, 'Moottorilinnut', was released, claiming the honour of the first domestic Metal album to feature female vocals, Muska Babitzin sings on three tracks. 'Moottorilinnut', with tracks translated into English, was subsequently remastered and re-released in 2004 as a SARCOFAGUS internet release.