Suffocation

Suffocation; Suffocation’s sixth (including live) release and my first Suffocation purchase. I idiotically bought this album without reading reviews, taking recommendations or even asking around. I saw it, so I bought it – stupid idea. Admittedly, at first I absolutely loved this album; I truly thought it was one of the best death metal albums I had heard. But as time went on, I lost interest in the album; songs I once thought as flawless, masterpieces were now nothing but another generic death metal song I wouldn’t give a second listen.

On the whole, this album is much slower than expected, Suffocation have great slow pieces that’d sound great as interludes or introductions but they tend to use it during the whole song; giving a somewhat anxious feeling to the album; you sit there the whole time thinking “this is where its gonna get fast!” but it just … doesn’t. As much as I hate to go back on my original word – this album is generic crap… and I hate it – there I said it! I cannot stand this album anymore… Prelude to Repulsion is the only song I like on this album, which I later learned wasn’t actually for this album, but was released on Suffocation’s Breeding the Spawn, in 1993. So basically, everything Suffocation composed for this album, I hate.

Though they may have lost all their skill when it comes to composing – the musicians are talented, there’s not doubt about it. Mike Smith; to most drummers, is the face of death metal… to say the least, he knows how to drum. It’s hard to come to terms with some of the insanity he produces on the kit – he’s the main reason I haven’t given this album a big fat 0 – drummers should really like this album. Guy and Terrance, the guitarists during this album are really… really good. It’s a shame that they seem to have no importance in the mix – the drums and vocals are top priority, in some parts it’s actually a challenge to find the guitars in the mix – the vocals and drums manage to completely drown out the guitars, which, in the end, just creates a bleak, thin album. As for the vocals… well, you have your classic American tough guy; similar to any death metal band that has come out of the US in the last… well, ever.

Maybe Suffocation is just one of those bands I can’t see what other’s see. People regard this album as one of their best; sure, I respect their opinions… I just want to know what they see in it. All I gather from most reviews I’ve read is that they like the drums – in my opinion, that’s not worth a perfect score – not at all. Some claim that this album’s riffs or vocal patterns are ‘incredible’… but those people are huge pussies and know nothing about music.