Suffocation

Biography :

Relapse Records is proud to bring you the new release from death metal legends SUFFOCATION, entitled Souls To Deny. SUFFOCATION, (Frank Mullen - vocals, Terrance Hobbs - guitar, Guy Marchais - guitar, Derek Boyer - bass, Mike Smith - drums) one of the most influential and emulated bands in the history of extreme music and the pioneers of the now-infamous 'New York death metal sound', return to the Relapse label after releasing the now classic albums Effigy Of The Forgotten (1991), Breeding The Spawn (1993), and Pierced From Within (1995) via Roadrunner Records.
After forming in 1990, SUFFOCATION quickly released their 3-song debut Reincremation. Within weeks of its existence came the interest of many labels who wanted to claim stake to the next SUFFOCATION album.
The now classic, Effigy of the Forgotten was released in 1991 via Roadrunner Records. Effigy... took the rhythmic relentlessness of hardcore beats, put them into speed metal structures and overlaid off-time counterpoint structures. Effigy of the Forgotten took SUFFOCATION's intent to a new plane, taking the multiple languages of music and unifying them in an evocative, thundering chorus of death metal.
Bassist, Josh Barohn was replaced by Chris Richards for the following album, 1993's Breeding The Spawn. Thunderously heavy and rigorously artistic, Breeding The Spawn surpassed expectations. Highly rhythmic, Suffocation's second album built on the legacy of their first with more emphasis on the bearing weight of repeated changing / off time rhythms (see later day practitioners MESHUGGAH) and a SLAYER-derived sense of melody. The guttural vocal expansion of vocalist Frank Mullen perfectly complimented the creative lead work from Cerritos and Hobbs. After the release of Breeding..., SUFFOCATION hit the road for months on end in support of the release, bringing their jaw-dropping live performances to both their devoted legions of followers, and hordes of wide-eyed new devotees.
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 legendary producer / engineer Scott Burns for the recording of the EP, Despise the Sun. Released on micro-indie Vulture Records, Despise the Sun contained SUFFOCATION's most accomplished material to date, the band comfortable enough in their style to develop it to a muscular prime. A savage example of pounding death metal, Despise the Sun utilized contrapuntal structures in recursive patterns to produce its effect - engaging, energetic and insightful death metal with no letup in intensity.
In early 2002, rumors of a SUFFOCATION 'reunion' began to surface and the death metal world was immediately abuzz with the possibility. 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 and ready to deliver once again.
Immediately upon the announcement, SUFFOCATION headlined the sold-out 2003 installments of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Maryland Deathfest and Milwaukee Metalfest(s) to a rousing response. In June, 2003, the band unveiled a brand new song entitled "Deceit".
SUFFOCATION return with Souls to Deny, their first full length album in nearly a decade and first full length album for Relapse Records. Masterfully controlled yet frighteningly intense, Souls to Deny is a truly devastating display of technical death metal. Maniacally complex lead and rhythm guitar acrobatics intermix with dizzyingly proficient drum work, creating complex, savage riff collages. Containing the songs "Deceit", "To Weep Once More" , "Souls to Deny", "Surgery of Impalement", "Demise of the Clone", "Subconsciously Enslaved", "Immortally Condemned" and "Tomes of Atrimony", Souls to Deny is set for a late April, 2004 release date. Crushing brutality from the masters!!


Band Members :

* Frank Mullen - Vocals
* Terrance Hobbs - Guitar
* Guy Marchais - Guitar
* Derek Boyer - Bass
* Mike Smith - Drums