The band was formed by 1986, translating the Motorhead theme of "Dancing on your grave" came up with the appropriate name for the group: "Grave" which translated into Portuguese for Sepultura. The first demo of the band dates back to 1985 (same year of the festival Rock In Rio) until finally a small label's signed, "Cogumelo Produções", with whom they recorded their first EP "Bestial Devastation", sharing the record with a band Overdose and called "Século XX".

Given the success of sales (over 5000 copies) Cogumelo Produções allies with "Roadrunner Records" to release the first LP of the band called Morbid Visions, with whom he began to win fans with cuts like "War", "Crucifixion" but above all with "Troops Of Doom", which became the anthem of the band for many years. Max Cavalera at this stage required a better guitarist Jairo T since only played the second guitar. The band needed someone better and thus Jairo T is kicked out of the band and replaced by a young man named Andreas Kisser '.

In August 1987 Schizophrenia record, an album that shows the influence of this new guitarist in the band, giving you more perfectionism and quality. The band is known in every scene "under" in many parts of the world, with songs like Escape to the Void and the instrumental "Inquisition Symphony" Apocalyptica cover versions with his seal.

Roadrunner Records Sepultura is secured to its ranks, and have ready by 1989 and their third full-length, the album that would finally take off, Beneath the Remains, containing the second song of the band "Inner Self". Earned him tours of Europe and achieved sales never thought (difficult for a Latin American band).

Now they had to make another delivery, which overcome the above, came in 1991 Arise, Beneath The Remains if given the fame Arise would strengthen as the cult band.