[L. suffocatio: cf. F. suffocation.] The act of suffocating, or the state of being suffocated; death caused by smothering or choking.
Note: The term suffocation is sometimes employed synonymously with asphyxia. In the strict medico-legal sense it signifies asphyxia induced by obstruction of the respiration otherwise than by direct pressure on the neck (hanging, strangulation) or submersion (drowning). Quain.
Representative Albums: "Pierced From Within," "Effigy of the Forgotten," "Souls to Deny"
Biography
Death metal band Suffocation was formed in New York in the early '90s, comprising vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Doug Cerrito and Terrance Hobbs, bassist Chris Richards, and drummer Mike Smith. The group's 1991 debut album, Effigy of the Forgotten, became quite influential in the grind/death metal community. Released on Roadrunner Records, it was followed two years later by Breeding of the Spawn. After the issue of the Human Waste EP, Smith left Suffocation and was replaced by drummer Doug Bohn. By 1995, the second lineup had released their first album, Pierced From Within. The band broke up soon after, disheartened by label problems and a lack of direction. A mystery album, Despise the Sun, floated around due to record label politics until Relapse finally released it in the summer of 2002. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Suffocation recorded the albums Human Waste, Effigy of the Forgotten, Breeding the Spawn, Pierced from Within, and Despise the Sun before breaking up in 1998. Suffocation reunited in 2002, featuring the return of original drummer Mike Smith, though without long-time members Doug Cerrito and Chris Richards. The band released Souls to Deny in 2004 and launched an extensive global touring campaign to promote the album. After over 200 shows, the band recorded and self-released their first live CD, Close Of A Chapter: Live In Quebec City. A self-titled album was released in 2006 through Relapse Records, which again saw the launch of an extensive worldwide touring jaunt--they even managed to get featured in an advertisement for the History Channel's program The Dark Ages in 2007.[1]
Suffocation fused the predominant rhythmic styles of early death metal with complex song structures. They are credited with introducing many innovations such as very low death growl, hands-together blast beats, an intense complex palm muting powerchord pattern, and extremely fast tremolo picking. In addition, their overall complexity and instrumental virtuosity was and has been influential in the development of technical death metal.[3] As both brutal death metal and technical death metal are today some of the most prolific genres in extreme metal, the band is generally regarded as one of the most influential bands in the history of death metal. Stylistically, their 1991 Human Waste EP was, according to Death Metal magazine, the first ever death metal release to incorporate elements of hardcore, punk, doom metal, and grindcore.[4]