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Suffocation has long been revered within the death metal scene for its uncompromising brutality, technical prowess and profound influence. Founded in 1990, the Long Island, N.Y., act helped set the benchmark for countless other bands with such releases as 1991’s “Effigy Of The Forgotten,” 1993’s “Breeding The Spawn” and 1995’s “Pierced From Within” before splitting up in 1998 because of infighting and financial constraints.
But after six years, the band returned with a new lineup — 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 for the 2004 album “Souls To Deny,” 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 recall its glory days of the early 90s, regardless of how strong its independently released live album “The Close Of A Chapter” was earlier in the year. But it’s the release of its fifth, self-titled album that proves once and for all that Suffocation is definitely back, thus silencing any last lingering doubts among the diehards. Suffocation may have officially returned with “Souls To Deny,” but in the eyes of most (including this reviewer), this new album is the band’s real comeback.
After a brief and rather pointless guitar-effect introduction “Oblivion,” Suffocation makes sure its 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 bellows its huge return.
Apart from the songwriting, the band’s production skills (Suffocation helmed the album) have also improved immensely over “Souls To Deny.” Every instrument gets the chance to stand out, including the vocals, and decimate all 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 become synonymous with Suffocation’s sound. “Translucent Patterns Of Delirium,” “Regret,” “Entrails Of You” and the lightning-paced “The End Of Ends” reinforce Suffocation’s lofty position in the death metal scene, with the songs’ complexities showcasing the members’ incredible skills as musicians and their ability to write songs that rise up to the challenge of competing against their classic material.
Such tracks as “Misconceived,” “Bind Torture Kill” and “Creed Of The Infidel” add some diversity in the pacing of the overall album, while the rerecording of “Prelude To Repulsion” (which originally appeared on “Breeding The Spawn”) proves the band can still cut it in today’s broader death metal scene. » suffocation.us
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