Name: Suffocation

Genre: Metal

Formed: 1990

At the Webster Theatre: 06/08/2009

Show Info: Doors: 3:00pm | Buy Tickets

Origin: New York, NY

Website: suffocation.us

Myspace Page: /suffocation

In 2007 when A&E and The History Channel were set to air their retrospective on the warriors of the Dark Ages they wanted to film promos that would capture the intensity and angst that filled those uncertain days in European history. The fact that they chose a metal band to perform during the 15 second spots was frankly astounding. That they choose the kings of New York death metal, Suffocation, was downright shocking. So as the band rocked out with images of warriors from times forgotten displayed behind them, Suffocation was unofficially introduced to literally millions of people who had no idea what the hell just smacked them in the face. It was certainly not the end of this long, and often times, arduous trail through recent metal history for this band. It may well have only been the beginning of the next chapter.

Formed in 1990, Suffocation was first introduced to the metal world in 1991 when a then fledgling label out of Millersville, PA would release the ‘Human Waste’ EP. This album would not only draw interest from several bigger labels, but would later become a highly sought after collector’s item amongst fans. Off the strength of this EP and constant touring the band would sign a worldwide deal with Roadrunner Records. This partnership would produce three studio albums and one live album, culminating in 1995’s ‘Pierced From Within’, an album that many critics and fans alike consider to be one of the greatest death metal albums of all time.

However instead of the band rising to international prominence achieved by other death metal acts such as Obituary, Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel, less than stellar label promotion combined with a revolving door behind the drum kit proved to eventually be the bands undoing. After the much heralded, but somewhat unheard ‘Despise the Sun’ EP was released on tiny Vulture Records in 1998 the band officially parted ways. But much like the European continent this band would rise from their “dark ages” and truly find themselves amidst a renaissance.

As what often happens in the music world a band is never fully appreciated for what they contributed musically until after they are gone. Sadly this may have also been the case with Suffocation. By the time they reunited in 2002 their influence was more than apparent. Suffocation had taken the brutality of early death metal and combined it with a technicality that few bands were experimenting with at the time. The term ‘New York Death Metal’ would come to represent a sound created solely by Suffocation and imitated by literally hundreds of bands. By 2004 the once fledgling label from PA, Relapse Records, now a major player in the metal world, would come calling once again. Since their reuniting with Relapse, Suffocation has released two highly acclaimed albums (2004’s ‘Souls to Deny’ and 2006’s ‘Suffocation’) and is preparing to unleash their third full length for the label in July 2009, entitled ‘Blood Oath.’

After years of struggle and line-up changes Suffocation is back on top of the death metal world. Unlike the bands that achieved more fame in the mid ‘90’s, Suffocation’s newest material is some of their strongest. Their work ethic and propensity for relentless touring has not waned either as the band co-headlines this year’s Summer Slaughter Festival, sure to be one of the best metal shows to hit The Webster Theater in 2009.