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Suffocation

Suffocation is a band that have long been revered and respected within the death metal scene for their uncompromising brutality, technical prowess and huge influence. Founded in 1990, the New York based act helped set the benchmark for countless other bands with releases such as 1991’s ‘Effigy Of The Forgotten’, 1993’s ‘Breeding The Spawn’, and 1995’s ‘Pierced from Within’, before splitting up due to infighting and financial constraints in 1998. But after six years away, the band returned with a new line up (Vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarist Terrance Hobbs and drummer Mike Smith were joined by ex-Pyrexia/Internal Bleeding guitarist Guy Marchais and ex-Decrepit Birth/Criminal Element bassist Derek Boyer) and album in ‘Souls To Deny’ in 2004, which was considered a good, but far from great, comeback for the legendary act. On the strength of ‘Souls To Deny’, many were dubious as to whether Suffocation could ever return to their former glory back of the early ‘90’s (Regardless of how strong their independently released live album ‘The Close Of A Chapter’ was earlier in the year), but it’s with the release of their fifth self-titled album that Suffocation prove once and for all that they’re back, thus silence any last lingering doubts amongst diehards.

After the brief (And rather pointless) guitar effect introduction piece ‘Oblivion’, Suffocation make sure their statement of intent is well and truly felt in the bludgeoning ‘Abomination Reborn’. From the dual riffing/lead work of Hobbs and Marchais, the phenomenally diverse drum rhythms/blasts from Smith and Mullen’s inhuman guttural (Yet amazingly understandable) vocal presence, Suffocation announce their huge return, and in a major way.
Apart from the song writing, the production (Handled by band themselves) too has improved immensely over ‘Souls To Deny’, with every instrument being given the opportunity to stand out (Including the vocals), and decimate everything in its path.

The gentle acoustic introduction to ‘Redemption’ is a great build up to the onslaught of jagged riffs and relentless drumming that has long since become synonymous with Suffocation’s sound, while ‘Translucent Patterns Of Delirium’, ‘Regret’, ‘Entrails Of You’ and the lightning paced ‘The End Of Ends’ only reinforce Suffocation’s lofty position in the death metal scene, with the complexities of the songs showcasing the members incredible skills as musician and their ability to write songs that rise up to the challenge of competing against their earlier classic material.
Tracks such as ‘Misconceived’, ‘Bind Torture Kill’ and ‘Creed Of The Infidel’ add a little more diversity in the pacing of the overall album. Suffocation may have officially returned with ‘Souls To Deny’, but in the eyes of most (including myself), Suffocation’s real return is with their latest album.