VIDA, THE PLAY OF CHANGE is a concept album about someone who suffers from VIDA, an incurable and fatal disease. The story narrates the persons encounter with death, and is based on actual true testimonies from terminal patients and the scientific research around the illness, as well as artistically and philosophically elaborating on the subject. The album includes a multimedia track, a game which is an oracle based on the I Ching, the Book of Change.

IMAGO MORTIS was founded in February 1995, and baptized themselves IMAGO MORTIS, the Latin expression for Ť IMAGE OF DEATH ť The band’s logo is the symbol of Pluto, the Lord of Oblivion in Greco-Roman mythology. In modern astrology the planet Pluto also represents doom and death.

During the first year of existence IMAGO MORTIS unleashed the successfully acknowledged REQUIEM demo in their native Brazil. The accomplishment of the demo allowed them to tour tirelessly for the next few years, until the 1999 release of their first CD album: IMAGES FROM THE SHADY GALLERY. The album achieved a synthesis of contrasts by combining dark and somber melodies with aggressive playing and sound, and was critically acclaimed by both the media and the public.


The Debut album also got IMAGO MORTIS noticed by DIE HARD RECORDS with whom they subsequently signed a recording agreement. As a result they composed and recorded the track PRAYERS IN THE WIND for HAMLET, a heavy metal interpretation of WILLIAM SHAKEPEARE’S work, featuring some outstanding Brazilian bands. The HAMLET album will also be released on MAUSOLEUM RECORDS in Europe in January/ February 2004.

The second album, VIDA: THE PLAY OF CHANGE was unanimously heralded by the Brazilian media as a milestone effort, and very possibly the best heavy metal album to be recorded in Brazil as yet. We modestly, but unequivocally tend to agree, and sincerely hope you will share that opinion.