Suffocation is American Brutal Death Metal band that was formed in 1988 in Centereach, Long Island, New York, United States. Suffocation are widely recognized major innovators of death metal. They had a massive influence on the genre and pioneered the balance between brutal and techincal sounds commonly heard in modern death metal. Frank Mullen is considered as one of the most emblematic death metal vocalists, as well as one of the first to use a very deep "death growl" vocal style and his hand chop, off course.
Baz Anderson said the band have clearly put some serious effort into this album; Pinnacle Of Bedlam is a much busier album than the last. There's always something going on, the songs have always got a direction - be it blast your head off, or show off their slightly more technical side. Suffocation are the masters of holding a perfectly equal balance of traditional death metal, more brutally-based death metal, and technical death metal - which makes them one of the most well-rounded and enjoyable death metal bands around today.
Atanamar also said that Pinnacle of Bedlam keeps all of the Suffocation hallmarks intact. The cataclysmic cadence and crushing triplets are here. The dominating riffs are present, pitting elasticity against closed-fist crunch. The explosive speed and oscillating anti-grooves are familiar and well worn. But there’s something else here, something luminous and deadly that recalls the band’s finest work.
Tumbling, tangled guitar lines seem to do battle with themselves, inflicting staccato stab wounds. You’ll witness fascinating moments where riffs diverge in the stereo plane, one guitar flying apart and the other holding the line (“Inversion” is a prime example of such restrained chaos). More bits of hammered-on oddity and freakish friction have crept into the riffage; Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais have dug deep into the well of creativity. Each compositional curve comes with extra fractals of complexity; these don’t render the music impenetrable, but give it depth and intriguing intricacy.
The leads are more dynamic and memorable than on recent efforts, adding subtle bits of melody. There are shocking moments of articulate, sinuous, and proggy pragmatism in these solos. The majestic flourishes and persuasive clean guitar passages drive home the album’s regal mien.
Each song plummets through meters both tame and unfathomable. A mind boggling array of rhythmic devices are represented. Dave Culross has seamlessly picked up Mike Smith’s sticks, as he has successfully done once before. To my ears, the difference in drumming manifests in an increased fluidity and a slightly decreased swagger.
The recording is modern and articulate without coming across as over-produced. In the annals of Suffocation production values, Pinnacle of Bedlam is near the top. There’s still a place in my heart for the fat, grinding guitar tone of Despise the Sun and the self-titled album, but this balanced sound suits the record well.
Frank Mullen is, as always, a singular character and one of death metal’s greatest vocalists. His performance here is top-notch; the man hasn’t lost one bit of guttural gas. The extraordinary sense of timing is intact, utilizing sonic interstices to brutal effect.
Bar chords mixed with artificial harmonics and riffs that are utterly monstrous. Every song on here deserves praise. This album can be spun multiple times because with each succeeding hearing, there something new that you can catch up and hear. The music just pounds with lead guitar that's just amazingly executed. I can see why this band has gained such utter influence on the metal scene. They just blow you away with fury and all of that hatred that exists in the music gets spewed forth here. Even the lyrics are comprehensive and well thought out. They blend totally with the music.
Don't pass this one up because it's such an awesome technical death metal frenzy! If you've been following this band for a while, then you will hear that intensity show up once again and blow you away. All of the riffs on here are so damn heavy and chaotic. A great release here as you will not be disappointed in any way by it's intensity. There is just no letting up. It's a pury orgy of riffs and vocals that suit the music perfectly. There is no song on here that doesn't deserve praise-they all rule and take a look at the lyrics as well because you'll see how well they fit with the music. A true monument in metal here.
Track
- Cycles of Suffering
- Purgatorial Punishment
- Eminent Wrath
- As Grace Descends
- Sullen Days
- Pinnacle of Bedlam
- My Demise
- Inversion
- Rapture of Revocation
- Beginning of Sorrow
If you like it, please buy it on their official website/merchandise.
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