Review Summary: Suffocate in the artistry.
Like a wrecking ball to the senses, Suffocate For *** Sake returned with a calculated assault. In fact, it was so brutal at its peak that when the unexpected tears started flowing, this was a plot twist. Much like their fiery debut, their musical style summoned the likes of a nightmarish Mono/Cult Of Luna/Isis baby. On the surface, a so lamely coined "screamo" album, but
In My Blood took its hostages to so many new heights that it became a work devoid of genre.
Their story driven debut screamed outward, but
In My Blood chose to bellow inward, even at its quietest. In fact, the more hushed moments of the album brought the most catharsis. The corrosively titled "Carnage" started just so, with massive toms and snares, raw guitars and pained vocals. The listener went on this ride until crash landing into straight sorrow. The gentle guitar riffs showed the way out of the wreckage into their signature spoken word samples and a piano section that ached with sadness.
Another fine example would be "Are You Happy With Your Life" as the closer. What began as a doom inspired atmosphere ends with guest star Charlee serenading "You said you'd always be here" as a heartbreaking anthem over gentle reverbed guitars. She also shone on "The Light" while drunk with reverb. It's quiet moments like these and "Through The Gates" that made this group stand above many. You wouldn't find a piano xylophone interlude on many screamo like albums.
However, the heavier influences hit like bricks. "I Am Your God" pummeled under punk beats and fuzz induced guitars bordering on pulling forward the genre of shoegaze. This shows how wisely they used their influences and "Sentence" was no different. They essentially performed their own brand of Cult Of Luna while adding in a powerfully thought-provoking guitar motif. The band also used a unique sounding combination of Isis and Mono on the verge of a psychotic break. "33 Years Ago" brought to mind a noise rock induced side of early Isis with a propulsive percussion section and a devastating cacophony in the low end. However, they climaxed the song with explosive shoegazing moments. It's hard for any band to balance all of these styles into their own, but they did it with unsettling ease.
The band managed to exceed all expectations with their sophomore album and that's what made it a tragedy. This piece was to make more people aware that even in the furthest reaches of the earth such as Sweden, incredible music was made, and is STILL being made. This was one of those original genre works that got passed up. Music literacy demands improvement for the sake of music itself. For those looking for a wildly original screamo work that uses plenty of brilliant influences to craft their own sound, look no further. Throw this one and do as the band says: Suffocate in their artistry.
