Suffocation

Suffocation is an American death metal band formed in 1989 in Centereach, New York. The current lineup consists of lead guitarist Terrance Hobbs, bassist Derek Boyer, rhythm guitarist Charlie Errigo, drummer Eric Morotti, and vocalist Ricky Myers. The band gained prominence with their 1991 debut album, "Effigy of the Forgotten", which became influential in shaping death metal in the 1990s. Suffocation has released nine studio albums, characterized by growled vocals, downtuned guitars, fast and complex riffs, blast beats, breakdowns, and occasional slam passages. In 2016, Loudwire named them the 23rd-best metal band of all time.

Suffocation was founded by vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Guy Marchais and Todd German, bassist Josh Barohn, and an unnamed drummer. The name was inspired by the Morbid Angel song of the same name. By 1990, the band added Terrance Hobbs and Doug Cerrito on guitars and Mike Smith on drums, drawing influences from American death metal, Napalm Death, and Sepultura. They signed to Relapse Records in 1990 alongside Incantation and Deceased.

Their first EP, "Human Waste" (1991), was followed by their debut full-length album, "Effigy of the Forgotten", recorded at Morrisound Studios and released through Roadrunner Records. Though initially receiving mixed reviews, the album later gained acclaim for its technical and brutal style and influenced technical death metal and slam death metal. In 1993, they released "Breeding the Spawn", which received criticism for its production, followed by "Pierced from Within" (1995), supported by tours across Europe, North America, and Mexico. After releasing the EP "Despise the Sun" in 1998, the band disbanded.

Suffocation reformed in 2003 with Mullen, Hobbs, Smith, Marchais, and Barohn, though Barohn was soon replaced by Derek Boyer. Subsequent albums included "Souls to Deny" (2004), "Suffocation" (2006), "Blood Oath" (2009), "Pinnacle of Bedlam" (2013), and "...Of the Dark Light" (2017). Founding vocalist Frank Mullen gradually retired from full-time touring after 2013, and Ricky Myers assumed vocal duties, alongside various temporary stand-ins. Their ninth album, "Hymns from the Apocrypha", was released on November 3, 2023, and was awarded Album of the Month by Metallian. Suffocation continues to tour internationally, with European tours scheduled in 2025 and appearances confirmed at the 2026 Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville festivals.

Suffocation is recognized as a pioneer of technical death metal and a key influence on brutal death metal and deathcore. Their style is defined by guttural vocals, downtuned guitars, complex time changes, rapid riffing, and breakdowns. Guitarists Hobbs and Doug Cerrito have been noted as a highly influential duo in the genre. The band cites early influences including Slayer, Destruction, Death, King Diamond, Atheist, Metallica, as well as classic rock and stadium acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden. Their debut album, "Effigy of the Forgotten", is considered a benchmark for extreme music, combining technicality and brutality, and establishing the blueprint for 1990s death metal.

Studio albums Effigy of the Forgotten (1991) Breeding the Spawn (1993) Pierced from Within (1995) Souls to Deny (2004) Suffocation (2006) Blood Oath (2009) Pinnacle of Bedlam (2013) …Of the Dark Light (2017) Hymns from the Apocrypha (2023)