Suffocation (band)

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This article is about the death metal band. For other uses, see Suffocation (disambiguation).
Suffocation
Suffocation performing on Free & Easy Festival 2014
Suffocation performing on Free & Easy Festival 2014
Background information
OriginCentereach, New York, U.S.
GenresTechnical death metal
Years active1988–1998, 2003–present
LabelsNuclear Blast, Relapse, Roadrunner
MembersFrank Mullen
Terrance Hobbs
Derek Boyer
Charlie Errigo
Eric Morotti
Past membersDoug Cerrito
Josh Barohn
Chris Richards
Doug Bohn
Mike Smith
Dave Culross
Guy Marchais
Kevin Talley

Suffocation is an American technical death metal band formed in 1988 in Centereach, New York. The band consists of vocalist Frank Mullen, lead guitarist Terrance Hobbs, bassist Derek Boyer, rhythm guitarist Charlie Errigo, and drummer Eric Morotti. Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for the genre for the 1990s with their 1991 debut album Effigy of the Forgotten, and have released seven studio albums since formation. The band's raw death metal style uses growled vocals with a downtuned guitar sound, fast and complex guitar riffs and drumming, open chord notes, breakdowns, and a sophisticated sense of songwriting.

History

Early years and the 1990s era (1988–1998)

Suffocation was formed in 1988 on Long Island, New York, by vocalist Frank Mullen, bassist Josh Barohn, lead guitarist Terrance Hobbs, rhythm guitarist Guy Marchais, and drummer Mike Smith. Later on that same year, Marchais was replaced by Doug Cerrito. The quintet was mainly influenced by fellow American death metal bands as well as the British band Napalm Death and Brazilian Sepultura. Smith commented on meeting Hobbs for the first time: "That's where I first noticed, 'Wow, theres another black guy playing this kind of stuff'."[1] The band's first EP, Human Waste, was released through Relapse Records in 1991. The full-length debut album, Effigy of the Forgotten, recorded by producer Scott Burns at Tampa's Morrisound Studios and released by Roadrunner Records the same year. In July 1991 bassist Josh Baron was replaced by Chris Richards, as the album became substantially influential in extreme metal music.[1][2]

After the following album, Breeding the Spawn, was released in 1993, Smith left the band and was replaced by Doug Bohn.[2][3] The 1995 release Pierced from Within, which received better production than the previous release,[4] was followed by extensive tours in Europe, Canada, Mexico and the United States. In 1998, Suffocation released the EP Despise the Sun via Vulture Records and disbanded soon after. The EP was re-released later in 2000 and 2002 by Relapse Records.[2]

Reunion and later (2003–present)

Suffocation in 2010 (from left: Hobbs, Boyer, Mullen)

Mullen and Hobbs reformed in 2003 with Smith, Marchais and Derek Boyer of the bands Deeds of Flesh and Decrepit Birth on bass.[1][3] In April 2004, Relapse Records released Souls to Deny. After the band played more than 400 shows in the United States and Europe including the Wacken Festival in Germany, playing to over 33,000 fans, Suffocation released their self-titled album, Suffocation, in 2006.[3] In 2007, the band was featured in The History Channel's promotional video for The Dark Ages documentary, playing the song "Bind, Torture, Kill".[5]

In 2008, the band signed to the German Nuclear Blast Records[3][6] and released their album Blood Oath in 2009.[3] The album charted on the US Billboard 200 at number 135.[7] In 2009, Relapse released the live album entitled Close of a Chapter—Live in Québec City, that was previously self-released by the band in 2005.[8][9] The release of a documentary film Legacy of Violence was set for 2010, but has since been delayed.[10] In May 2010, Suffocation toured with Napalm Death in South America and Mexico.[11] In February, 2012, Smith left the band again, to be replaced by Dave Culross.[12]

In 2012, the band was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and released Pinnacle of Bedlam in February 2013.[13]

Since after the release of Pinnacle of Bedlam in 2013, vocalist Frank Mullen announced that he will retire from full-time touring with the band due to his new job. He has since been replaced by various live vocal stand ins, including Bill Robinson, John Gallagher, Ricky Myers, and, currently, Kevin Muller of The Merciless Concept.

In January 2015, Suffocation began making posts revealing that they were in the process of recording demos for a new album with a potential release date of late 2015.[14]

In April 2016, the ensemble toured with Soulfly, Abnormality, Battlecross and Lody Kong.[15]

The new album's name was revealed as "...Of the Dark Light" and was released on June 9, 2017.

Musical style and legacy

Suffocation's death metal style is influenced by grindcore. The band uses "outrageously guttural vocals with a bottom-heavy guitar foundation, blistering speed, unparalleled brutality and sophisticated sense of songwriting, complex time changes and lead and rhythm guitar acrobatics"[16] and frequent breakdowns.[17]

With their debut album, Effigy of the Forgotten, Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for the genre for the 1990s,[16][18] retaining their style after the reunion in 2003.[19][20][21] Decibel Magazine stated: "Effigy of the Forgotten was a benchmark for extreme music, as it sacrificed neither virtuosity or brutality, becoming a signpost for thousands who were still contemplating how to incorporate scalar runs, rapid-fire palm-muting and hummingbird-wing-quick picking into riffs, while opening up rhythmic dimensions and the scope of the blast beat."[1]

Blabbermouth.net described Suffocation as "American death metal's most consistent and punishing standard-bearers" and their style as "brutal death metal".[22] According to AllMusic, Mullen is one of the best vocalists in death metal.[4] Decibel Magazine stated: "One of Suffocation’s trademarks, breakdowns, has spawned an entire metal subgenre: deathcore."[17] Suffocation is one of the pioneers of technical death metal.[23]

Members

  • Suffocation at Free & Easy Festival 2014
  • Frank Mullen
    Frank Mullen
  • Terrance Hobbs
    Terrance Hobbs
  • Derek Boyer
    Derek Boyer

Timeline

Footnotes

A.^ Since the release of Pinnacle of Bedlam in 2013, Frank Mullen announced that he would be retiring from full-time touring with the band due to his new job. He has since been replaced by various live vocal stand-ins, including Bill Robinson, John Gallagher, Ricky Myers, and Kevin Muller.[24]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[25] 		US Heat.
[25] 		US Ind.
[25] 		GER
[26] 		BEL (FL)
[27] 		BEL (WA)
[28]
Effigy of the Forgotten
  • Released: October 22, 1991
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download[29]
 — — — — — —
Breeding the Spawn
  • Released: May 18, 1993
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download[30]
 — — — — — —
Pierced from Within
  • Released: May 23, 1995
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download[31]
 — — — — — —
Souls to Deny
  • Released: April 27, 2004
  • Label: Relapse Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[32]
 — — 34 — — —
Suffocation
  • Released: September 19, 2006
  • Label: Relapse Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[33]
 — 29 29 — — —
Blood Oath
  • Released: July 3, 2009
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[34]
 135 2 — — — —
Pinnacle of Bedlam
  • Released: February 15, 2013
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, CS, LP, digital download[36]
 152 2 25 58 197 119
...Of the Dark Light
  • Released: June 9, 2017
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, CS, LP, digital download
 — — — 80 167 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Title Album details Notes
Close of a Chapter: Live in Québec City
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, digital download[38]
  • re-released by Relapse Records on October 27, 2009[39]

Extended plays

Title Album details
Human Waste
  • Released: May 1, 1991
  • Label: Relapse Records
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download[40]
Despise the Sun
  • Released: April 30, 1998
  • Label: Vulture Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[41]

Compilation albums

Title Album details
The Best of Suffocation
  • Released: January 29, 2008
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[42]

Demos

Title Album details
Reincremated
  • Released: July 1990
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CS

Music videos

Year Title Directed Album
2004 "Surgery of Impalement" Adam Wingard[43] Souls to Deny
2005 "Synthetically Revived" Adam Wingard[44] Human Waste
2006 "Abomination Reborn" Frankie Nasso[45] Suffocation
2009 "Cataclysmic Purification" David Brodsky[46] Blood Oath
2013 "As Grace Descends" Tommy Jones[47] Pinnacle of Bedlam

References

  1. ^ a b c d Stewart-Panko, Kevin (May 2009). "The Memory Remains: The Making of Suffocation's Effigy of the Forgotten". Decibel Magazine.
  2. ^ a b c John Bush, Suffocation, AllMusic.
  3. ^ a b c d e Suffocation history at official Suffocation Myspace.
  4. ^ a b Leslie Mathew, Pierced from Within, AllMusic.
  5. ^ Suffocation: New Audio Interview with Frank Mullen Posted Online - Feb. 7, 2007, Blabbermouth.net.
  6. ^ Suffocation Frontman Talks New Album - Mar. 30, 2009, Blabbermouth.net.
  7. ^ Suffocation's 'Blood Oath' Lands on Billboard Chart - July 22, 2009, Blabbermouth.net.
  8. ^ Stewart-Panko, Kevin (February 2010). "Suffocation; Close of a Chapter—Live in Québec City". Decibel Magazine.
  9. ^ Scott Alisoglu, The Close of a Chapter: Live in Quebec City, Blabbermouth.net.
  10. ^ Suffocation: 'Legacy of Violence' DVD Preview Available - Jan. 8, 2010, Blabbermouth.net.
  11. ^ Suffocation Announces Mexico/South America Tour with Napalm Death - Oct. 26, 2009, Blabbermouth.net.
  12. ^ Suffocation Confirms Split With Drummer Mike Smith, Taps Dave Culross As Permanent Replacement . Blabbermouth.net.
  13. ^ Suffocation: New Album Details Revealed - Sep. 20, 2012, Blabbermouth.net.
  14. ^ Kennelty, Greg (16 January 2015). "SUFFOCATION Demoing A New Record - Metal Injection". Metal Injection. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  15. ^ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/soulfly-to-tour-u-s-with-suffocation-battlecross/
  16. ^ a b Eduardo Rivadavia, Effigy of the Forgotten, AllMusic.
  17. ^ a b Lee, Cosmo (September 2009). "Suffocation reclaim their rightful place as kings of death metal". Decibel. One of Suffocation's trademarks, breakdowns, has spawned an entire metal subgenre: deathcore
  18. ^ Eduardo Rivadavia, Breeding the Spawn, AllMusic.
  19. ^ William York, Souls to Deny, AllMusic.
  20. ^ Greg Prato, Suffocation, AllMusic.
  21. ^ Alex Henderson, Blood Oath, AllMusic.
  22. ^ Keith Bergman, Suffocation Suffocation (Relapse), Blabbermouth.net.
  23. ^ DiVita, Joe (15 February 2017). "10 Best Death Metal Bands". Loudwire.
  24. ^ "Suffocation Members Talk 'Pinnacle of Bedlam,' Future of Vocalist Frank Mullen + More". Loudwire. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  25. ^ a b c "Suffocation - Chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Officialcharts.de. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  29. ^ "iTunes - Music - Effigy of the Forgotten by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 7 October 1991. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  30. ^ "iTunes - Music - Breeding the Spawn by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 24 May 1993. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  31. ^ "iTunes - Music - Pierced from Within by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 22 May 1995. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  32. ^ "iTunes - Music - Souls to Deny by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  33. ^ "iTunes - Music - Suffocation by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  34. ^ "iTunes - Music - Blood Oath (Exclusive Bonus Version) by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Metal By Numbers 8/12: The Chart Gets (ass)Jacked". Metalinsider.net. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  36. ^ "iTunes - Music - Pinnacle of Bedlam by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  37. ^ "Metal By Numbers 5/1: Rob Zombie Rats Out the Charts". Metalinsider.net. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  38. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Close of a Chapter: Live by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  39. ^ "Suffocation Announces Mexico/South America Tour With Napalm Death". Blabbermouth.net. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  40. ^ "iTunes - Music - Human Waste (Reissue) by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 1 May 1991. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  41. ^ "iTunes - Music - Despise The Sun - EP by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  42. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Best of Suffocation by Suffocation". Itunes.apple.com. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  43. ^ "Suffocation | Surgery of Impalement | Music Video". Mtv.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  44. ^ "Suffocation | Synthetically Revived | Music Video". youtube.com. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  45. ^ "Suffocation: 'Abomination Reborn' Video Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  46. ^ "Suffocation: 'Cataclysmic Purification' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  47. ^ "Suffocation: 'As Grace Descends' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
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