Review Summary: Souls to Deny falls short of excellence, but achieves greatness.
It is not uncommon for bands to have various lineup changes throughout a career. Whether the reason is creative differences or internal conflicts, the departure of a key member can have a perpetual impact on a band’s sound. Suffocation disbanded and entered a six-year hiatus after the release of Despise the Sun. Afterward, all original members reunited with the exception of rhythm guitarist Doug Cerrito. With the release of Souls to Deny, it shows that Cerrito had a vital role in Suffocation’s songwriting department, resulting in inferior composition than previous releases.
After the reunion, Suffocation recruited Guy Marchais to take Cerrito’s place. While Marchais does an adequate job as the new rhythm guitarist, he does little to the songwriting process. With the absence of an elemental player, Souls to Deny suffers in the songwriting and creativity fields. This leaves an impression that Suffocation will retrograde on later releases.
Although the album shows signs of deterioration, Souls to Deny has redeeming factors. Many riffs and volume variations produce a surrealistic and atmospheric sound not matched on other efforts. Suffocation also attempts new composition such as methodical structures in Demise of the Clone. Mullen’s vocal work, while not as powerful on prior releases has evolved into a sound that gives the album an evil and dark touch. These factors make Souls to Deny the more charming and appealing in the band’s discography.
Souls to Deny cannot rank among Effigy of the Forgotten, Breeding the Spawn, or Pierced from Within. However, this is not to say it isn’t well-done. It stands on its own as a great album with characteristics unique. Despite the lack of Cerrito’s contributes, Marchais does an acceptable job as a replacement. Souls to Deny is an album that every fan of Suffocation should take a listen as it is worthy of the time.
