The legendary SUFFOCATION have come blasting back to the forefront of the genre they helped to create with their new, self-titled full-length. Universally regarded as the best live death metal band in the world, SUFFOCA... more »TION captures the intensity of their concert juggernaut and administers a savage, eleven-track beating. As simply stated as the title itself, it's all here; the relentless speed, the surgical precision, the crushing brutality, and the inhuman, genre-defining vocals that have made SUFFOCATION the most influential band in death metal, period. The gods of death metal are back and SUFFOCATION casts their long and storied shadow of influence even farther.« less
The legendary SUFFOCATION have come blasting back to the forefront of the genre they helped to create with their new, self-titled full-length. Universally regarded as the best live death metal band in the world, SUFFOCATION captures the intensity of their concert juggernaut and administers a savage, eleven-track beating. As simply stated as the title itself, it's all here; the relentless speed, the surgical precision, the crushing brutality, and the inhuman, genre-defining vocals that have made SUFFOCATION the most influential band in death metal, period. The gods of death metal are back and SUFFOCATION casts their long and storied shadow of influence even farther.
Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 10/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Suffocation are a band I first became familiar with a couple of years ago with a previous release, "Pierced From Within". I hadn't been exposed to any of their subsequent releases, and picked this one up after reading so many great reviews. Suffocation play an ultra-intense, super-progressive style of death metal with nearly unrivalled skill and musicianship. The closest band to copare them to is probably the Polish band Decapitated. Suffocation are at the top of their game on this album, with very heavy and complex arrangements and great production. Very technical and intense, with enough groove to draw you in and maintain interest. They manage to inject quite a bit of originality and creativity into the death metal genre- a genre not known for either. A must-own metal album, one of the best of 2006."
Absolutely annihilates Souls to Deny, Metal Album of 2006
Karen Miller | Knoxville, TN | 06/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's cool when an old band's newest release is good. It's awesome when it's one of their best, if not their best ever. Suffocation's self titled is one of the most amazing metal albums this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of hearing.
I started with the critically acclaimed Souls to Deny, but was disappointed by the murky production and sluggish pace of the songs; that album just didn't meet the hype. I figured that it was just a slipup, and bought their EOTF/PFW twofer. I was blown away: I hadn't heard that much energy with tight musicianship on that level ever before, and became a huge fan. A month later, I picked this up. This might be even better than Pierced From Within! Frank has perfected his vocal approach, while Terrance and Guy unleash a torrent of the most awesome riffs and solos this side of Necrophagist. Derek plays his bass as though it were another guitar, and Mike destroys his kite with almost godly persision and technique.
As far as highlights go, this album is packed with 'em. "Abomination Reborn" is easily the weakest on the album, but even that isn't saying much. "Bind Torture Kill" and "Redemption" outshine that track with ease, signaling a series of awesome tracks to follow. The best songs, however, are the last three. "Entrails Of You","The End of Ends", and "Prelude to Repulsion" are candidates for best Death Metal song of all time, and destroy the overrated "Demise of The Clone".
If you are interested in Suffo, don't start with this, as it's probably their most unrelenting album, and there isn't very much room to "breath". After you've acquired a taste for death metal, come back to this modern masterpiece."
Another Great Effort from the NY Death Leaders
John W. Rethamel | Lansing, MI | 04/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"2006 has been an above-average year for veteran metal acts' new albums. Celtic Frost put out a great comeback record. Slayer made their first solid record since 1990. Deicide, whose last few records were never better than fair, returned with a new lineup and the front-runner for best death metal album of 2006, "The Stench Of Redemption". Now comes Suffocation's self-titled 2006 album. This album is exactly what you expect from the New York death merchants. While it is not up to the heights of 1995's magnum opus Pierced From Within, I really enjoy this album much more than Souls To Deny. I would definitely rate this a solid tie for 2nd best Suffocation album with the 1998 EP Despise The Sun which isn't a full-length. Best songs include "Redemption" and "Bind, Torture, Kill"."
Suffocation is awesome
king beagley | warsaw, in usa | 03/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"one listen to their s/t album will tell you: they are here to stay. I have their 2K4 album "Souls To Deny" and I didn't have to even listen to the new album to tell everyone that it stomps. the bonus CD included with this album also stomps. I believe Suffocation is sending a message to Morbid Angel (please come back!), but I heard that Morbid Angel is coming out with a new album this year."
Just short of perfect - I would give it 4.5 stars
Nailed To Gold | New York | 10/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Suffocation returns with their best CD in 10 years and some have been calling it Pierced From Within part 2. It's time to put the word out; Suffocation is back in full swing
After the nervous anticipation of the brief intro "Oblivion", the carnage of the first track, "Abomination Reborn" ensues, kicking off the album with thundering kit work and commanding leads along with lacerating rhythms. The real progression for Suffocation is displayed wonderfully by "Redemption" which creates a sense of macabre, maniacal beauty with the ethereal clean guitar interlude next to their trademark dissonant brutality. The standout track in my opinion is "Bind Torture Kill". This is Suffocation at their best, combining slow breakdowns with amazing speed and clarity. "Translucent Patterns of Delirium" efficiently pummel the listener to a pulp with their steady yet subtle groove. The unbelievably sinister melodies and crushing midsections of "Misconceived" and "Creed of the Infidel" are undeniably some of the catchiest, yet most poignant moments of the album. After about the midpoint, the album gets less progressive and subtle, opting instead for what I consider the classic Suffocation, no frills, determination with cuts like the brooding "Regret", the vicious rumbling of Despise the Sun style "Entrials of You" and the nearly absurd fury carried by the intense weight of "The End of Ends", which I would describe as a whirlwind of chaos reminding me of another great Suffocation track, Suspended In Tribulation. By the end, Breeding the Spawn's "Prelude to Repulsion" brings the release to an absolutely decimating conclusion leaving the listener with what can only be described as pure euphoria.
Go get it ! Its not Effigy... and nothing will ever top Effigy, but this is 2006 and Suffocation is back.
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
