Suffocation - ...Of the dark Light

June 5th 2017

(CD Album Review)

****

Out of the dark comes the light

New York Death Metal Godfather’s Suffocation return with their eighth studio album. All eyes are on the band these days as their influence is more prevalent than ever in the Death Metal scene. Be it Technical Death Metal in general or in newer subgenre’s such as Death Metal and Slam Metal and anything else that ends in “Core” nowadays.

With the band touring more relentlessly than ever and with a four year gap since their previous release the appetite for a new album is ravenous. While being absent from the bands touring activities it’s great to see Frank Mullen where it matters most and that’s on the mic. His unmistakable vocals shine throughout the album.

While the live shows at present are bearable a Suffoction album without him is unimaginable. The band have some new blood among the ranks, young newcomers Eric Morotti on drums and Charlie Errigo on guitar. Both fit the band like a glove and considering the shoes poor Eric has to fill following the legendary Mike Smith and the criminally under rated Dave Culross he steps up to the plate and does a fantastic job.

Musically it’s simply Suffocation doing what they do. It’s a short album. Thirty five minutes in total and no song reaches the five minute mark. However this is a case of quality over quantity. The album starts with a hint of keyboard, a little hum of something which you think will be an intro before suddenly exploding into life with 'Clarity through Deprivation' all you know and love the band for is there.

The technical structures, the face melting shredding and Terrence Hobbs delicious solos. We get a slight hint of melody on 'Return to the Abyss' but that’s all. All in all its Suffocation pure and simple. While it may not replace your favourite album it will please long term fans and will win the band new fans. A great addition to the bands catalogue and a great album to blast for the summer.

Review by Joe Denby