[1] Chakal was formed in early 1985 by William Wiz (drums), Destroyer (bass), and Mark (guitars)[2] in Belo Horizonte, home of such other influential bands as Mutilator, Holocausto, Sarcófago and Sepultura.
Shortly after forming, it played the Metal BH II Festival, fronted by Sgôto, alongside Sarcófago, Sepultura, Sagrado Inferno, Armageddon and São Paulo's Minotauro.
The band produced its debut demo, Children Sacrifice, in 1986, featuring guest appearances from Max Cavalera of Sepultura and SDN of Mutilator.
By the time of its debut album, Abominable Anno Domini, Chakal's line-up had settled down to Vladimir Korg on vocals (also credited with the lyrics to Sepultura's "To the Wall"[3]), guitarists Mark and Pepeu, bassist Marcelo Laranja, and drummer William Wiz.
According to Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic, the band's debut "turned out to be one of the most vicious, extreme but accomplished Brazilian thrash/black metal albums released in the landmark year of 1987".
[4] Korg also left in April 1989 to join The Mist, leaving Laranja to assume vocal duties; Eduardo Simões was also drafted in on guitar.