Suffocation (band)

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Suffocation, an American death metal band, fused the predominant rhythmic styles of early death metal and grindcore, with complex song structures to start a new subgenre of music, considered brutal death metal by some. Suffocation is placed amongst peers such as Immolation, Incantation, and Morpheus (Descends) as being part of a genetic fragment of death metal known as "New York Death Metal", or "NYDM" for short. The band is also known for having two African American musicians (drummer Mike Smith and guitarist Terrance Hobbs) which is rare in the underground metal scene. [1] The band was formed in 1990 and since then released a couple of highly-regarded releases on the once death metal label Roadrunner Records, as well as their last EP Despise The Sun on a smaller label . Of note is also their debut EP Human Waste, which was the first official release on Relapse Records in 1991.

In death metal history, Suffocation stands unique for fusing the technical with the percussive, brutal "older" styles of death metal as well as for being emulated more than any other band. Suffocation integrated death metal with the muffled strumming and downstroke rhythms of speed metal while introducing more complex rhythms, a variety of influences, and bizarre, mocking lead guitar.

1 Music
2 Line-up
- 2.1 Former members
3 Discography
4 External links

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Music

After forming in 1990, Suffocation quickly released their three-song debut Reincremation. Within weeks of its existence came the interest of labels to sign them. The band chose to release its follow-up, Human Waste through Relapse Records in 1991. Human Waste saw Suffocation combined the blasting grindcore beats and metallic textures.

The debut full-length, Effigy of the Forgotten was released in 1991 via Roadrunner Records. It took the rhythmic hardcore beats, put them into speed metal structures and overlaid off-time counterpoint structures.

Bassist Josh Barohn was replaced by Chris Richards for the following album, 1993's Breeding the Spawn. Highly rhythmic, Suffocation's second album focussed more on the bearing weight of repeated changing / off time rhythms After the release of Breeding the Spawn, Suffocation hit the road for months on end in support of the release,

In 1994, drummer Mike Smith left Suffocation and was replaced by drummer Doug Bohn. This new line-up featured on the 1994 live album, Live Death.

Following the release of 1995's Pierced from Within, Suffocation embarked on successful tours of Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, playing to thousands and enjoying increased album sales. After these tours, drummer Doug Bohn was replaced by former Malevolent Creation drummer Dave Culross.

In 1998, Suffocation once again hooked up with Scott Burns for the recording of the EP, Despise the Sun. Released on micro-indie label Vulture Records, Despise the Sun utilised contrapuntal structures in recursive patterns to produce its effect.

In early 2002, rumours of a Suffocation's 'reunion' began to surface. Suffocation confirmed their intentions soon afterwards and with a line-up of Mike Smith (drums), Terrance Hobbs (guitar), Guy Marchais (guitar), Frank Mullen (vocals), and Derek Boyer (bass), the band resumed writing and rehearsals and announced that they were back to stay record a new album

Suffocation resumed full time activity in 2004, releasing the album Souls To Deny on Relapse Records and embarked on a substantial world tour. A music video for the song "Surgery of Impalement" has been featured on video outlets such as Headbanger's Ball and Uranium.

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