Suffocation

Suffocation: Architects of Technical and Brutal Death Metal

Suffocation stands as a colossal American death metal band, forged in the crucible of Centereach, New York, in 1988. Revered as pioneers of both technical death metal and brutal death metal, their sound has profoundly impacted the extreme metal landscape. The band`s current lineup features the unparalleled lead guitar work of Terrance Hobbs, the crushing basslines of Derek Boyer, the relentless rhythm guitar of Charlie Errigo, the blistering drums of Eric Morotti, and the guttural pronouncements of vocalist Ricky Myers.

Suffocation ascended to legendary status with their groundbreaking 1991 debut album, Effigy of the Forgotten. This seminal release wasn`t just an album; it was a definitive blueprint that irrevocably shaped the direction of death metal throughout the 1990s and beyond. Since their inception, Suffocation has unleashed a formidable discography of eight full-length albums, each a testament to their unwavering commitment to extreme sonic brutality. Their signature sound is instantly recognizable: punishingly growled and guttural vocals, devastatingly downtuned guitars, intricately fast and complex guitar riffs, machine-gun precision drumming, unsettling open chord dissonance, and, critically, their innovative, genre-defining use of brutal breakdowns that would become a staple of modern death metal.

== History ==

=== Early years (1988–1990) ===

Suffocation materialized in 1988 on Long Island, New York, initially founded by powerhouse vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Guy Marchais and Todd German, bassist Josh Barohn, and an early, unnamed drummer. A nod to their burgeoning influences, the band adopted its moniker from the Morbid Angel song of the same name, a choice championed by Mullen. By 1990, a pivotal lineup shift occurred, solidifying the band`s core. The founding guitarists and drummer were replaced by the formidable talents of lead guitarist Terrance Hobbs and rhythm guitarist Doug Cerrito, alongside the iconic drumming force of Mike Smith. These three musicians had previously honed their skills in the local Long Island extreme metal scene with the now-defunct band Mortuary.

This newly cemented quintet drew heavily from a diverse palette of extreme metal pioneers, including their American death metal brethren, the groundbreaking grindcore of Britains Napalm Death, and the ferocious thrash/death hybrid of Brazils Sepultura. Suffocation quickly distinguished itself within the predominantly white death metal community by prominently featuring African-American musicians in their ranks. Drummer Mike Smith vividly recalled meeting Terrance Hobbs for the first time, noting, "Thats where I first noticed, Wow, theres another black guy playing this kind of stuff." This representation was, and remains, a significant aspect of their legacy.

In 1990, Suffocation inked a crucial deal with the nascent Relapse Records. They became one of the first three bands to sign with the label, alongside fellow extreme metal titans Incantation and Deceased, laying the groundwork for Relapse`s future as a dominant force in the underground.

=== Human Waste and Effigy of the Forgotten (1991–1992) ===

The band’s foundational Human Waste EP dropped via Relapse Records in 1991, offering an unholy glimpse into the groundbreaking brutality that would soon define their full-length debut.