Suffocation
Suffocation


4.0
excellent

Review

by Kiran EMERITUS
October 7th, 2007 | 102 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A crushing release of astounding technical death metal - an essential listen.

When I think of Suffocation, the first thing that comes to my mind is uninspiring. The music was boring and seemed like a mindless mix of various parts. That's what their previous release, Souls to Deny led me to believe. Having never heard the band before that release, my impression seemed to be marred and I feared that despite the ravings of many avid listeners of the band, I would never get into the brutality that had yet to consume my interest. Death metal seemed a foreign concept in which I was yet to understand and I concluded to leave it at that. Step into the present and blazing through my earphones, the release of their next full-length, the self titled Suffocation, has me captivated.

Oblivion keeps the listener at an anxious instrumental for roughly 30 seconds before the album really begins. Abomination Reborn surrounds you, leaving you in awe of the subtle technicalities and in admiration of the thundering leads. Redemption leaves no room to breathe. Straightaway, it captures everything the band seeks to accomplish, embodying it all in one song. The few moments of soft melody representing a near innocence, only to be corrupted again by the ever present brutality, creating a beautiful blend in one of the strongest tracks on the album. Blind Torture Kill gears the listener up to a completely adrenaline fueled Misconceived, where the band once again showcases their talent in creating a masterly crafted song, in combining the brutality of their music with tempo, tone, and excellently done mixing. Translucent Patterns of Delirium steadily brings the listener back down to a normal state of mind, while successful in keeping a constant level of quality in the songs. Creed of the Infidel and Regret are reminiscent of older Suffocation songs, with the determined rhythms, explosive drumming, and furious moments, the songs display some of the heaviest moments on the album. Next up, Entrails Of You, display some of the most exciting lyrics in the entire album, as lead singer Frank Mullen violently declares,

Quote:
Submerge myself in your blood and wear your flesh, you are so ***ing beautiful
You are so beautiful; I bathe myself in the entrails of you
From there, the album roars towards The End Of Ends and finally Prelude To Repulsion, bringing the tempo up, and ending the album with two furious, raging songs, representing everything this album is and leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

However, one of the major flaws of Souls to Deny has found it's way onto his release as well, showing little improvement from the last release. It was understandable that being a new member of an old band, bassist Derek Boyer was still finding his feet on the previous release. Unfortunately, he's still not entirely picked up the pace on this album either. While not a bad bassist, Boyer does little to add a lasting effect on many of the songs, and hardly plays a factor in the feeling, tone, or even sound of many of the tracks on the album. Thankfully, the rest of the band picks up where Boyer slacks off, with Mike Smith showing his amazing drumming prowess, making use of his frantic double bass and near perfect fills to bring the songs to a different level. Terrance Hobbs and recent addition Guy Marchais orchestrate tremendously powerful leads that entirely fit the songs they seem to command as well as providing perfect atmosphere for the final member, vocalist Frank Mullen. Mullen's vocals have progressed positively from their previous releases, now combining his brutal vocals with a slightly cleaner tone, complimenting his work perfectly. The old incomprehensible bellows are replaced with slightly more comprehensible, yet almost as relentlessly brutal, vocal work. Not to mention the lyrics which Mullen crafts, combining gruesome imagery with even darker themes, fitting the grim atmosphere of the songs it accompanies.

All in all, this album isn't perfect, but it sure as hell is a damned good head bang inducing death metal release. The band improve in all aspects but one, leaving poor Derek Boyer struggling to keep up with things, and leaving room for improvement on the next one. A decimating and non-stop barrage of brutality, this album doesn't deserve to go unnoticed.

What's Good:
- Insane drumming
- Masterful compositions
- Crushing riffs
- Relentless, brutal vocals

What's Not So Good:
- Bassist struggles to make a lasting effect
- Not entirely original

Recommended:
Redemption
Misconceived
Creed of the Infidel
Entrails of You



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user ratings (560)
3.6
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Kiran
Emeritus
October 7th 2007


6134 Comments


I suck at intros. Any comments, criticisms, and pos votes on the review are very much appreciated. And yes, I have been told before that Frank Mullen sounds like a very very angry Cookie Monster.

kalkal50
October 7th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Great review, I like the intro but yeah with time they'll get better. Despite the album not being that original, I still think Suffocation is an extremely influential band; just listen to Pierced from Within. I'm acquiring this album right now though.

Kiran
Emeritus
October 7th 2007


6134 Comments


Trying to take criticism from each review and implement it into the next ones, so I've taken a bunch of what you guys said from my last one, aboard here. Hope it shows.

Crysis
Emeritus
October 7th 2007


17640 Comments


I really enjoyed this review, good work dude.

Confessed2005
October 7th 2007


6102 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice. I've heard a few tracks from this and everything sounded great.

Crimson
October 7th 2007


1937 Comments


Mucho good review.

CoRpSeSlAyEr
October 7th 2007


855 Comments


Very good band. Pierced From Within and Effigy of the Forgotten are both classics. This is still a pretty good album too.

kalkal50
October 7th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I'm almost done pirating this album, should be good.

Crysis
Emeritus
October 7th 2007


17640 Comments


I'm almost done pirating this album, should be good.



BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

kalkal50
October 7th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

YES I DO IT ALL THE TIME



Effigy of the Forgotten and Pierced from within are still classics





Crimson
October 7th 2007


1937 Comments


BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


This is about the time all the pirates stand up and yell "THIS IS SPARTA!!!!"This Message Edited On 10.07.07

Kiran
Emeritus
October 8th 2007


6134 Comments


Thanks for the comments dudez.

I'll probably pick up Effigy of the Forgotton and Pierced from Within very soon. Do they sound anything like this album?

kalkal50
October 8th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

they're less technical, but the vocals are better and the riffs more consistent

CoRpSeSlAyEr
October 8th 2007


855 Comments


And they're just overall better than this and most death metal that came out around that time.

kalkal50
October 8th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I've been listening to this album, and it's boring in general. The overuse of crescendo's and arpeggios is just very snore-inducing, and you'd want them just to get straight to the goddamn riff. The bass is nowhere to be heard, and Boyer sucks.This Message Edited On 10.15.07

Kiran
Emeritus
October 9th 2007


6134 Comments


he was so good in the earlier Suffocation releases.


Actually Souls to Deny and this are the only releases Boyer has featured on. Chris Richards was the former bassist, in Pierced from Within and such.

kalkal50
October 9th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

WOOPS



i meant Chris Richards, the pierced from within review confused me

masscows
October 14th 2007


2230 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5





I've been listening to this album, and it's boring in general. The overuse of crescendo's and arpeggios is just very snore-inducing, and you'd want them just to get straight to the goddamn riff. The bass is nowhere to be heard, I don't know what happened to Boyer... he was so good in the earlier Suffocation releases.
that's kind of how I feel about this release too. The riffs are mostly pretty samey and they seem to use the same arpeggio patterns alot. It's still considerably solid though.This Message Edited On 10.13.07

kalkal50
October 15th 2007


2386 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

At least it's not bombarded with dweedly weedly guitar wankery from start to finish; but still, this is pretty average. The riffs are samey, yeah. If you want some real tech death, listen to Gorod. That stuff is teh sh1t.This Message Edited On 10.15.07

Slaytan
February 27th 2008


1185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I really like the drumming on this album, Mike Smith is a beast.



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