SUFFOCATION — Despise the Sun (review)

SUFFOCATION — Despise the Sun album cover EP · 1998 · Brutal Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Despise the Sun" is an EP release by US, New York based death metal act Suffocation. The EP was released through Vulture Records in 1998. It bridges the gap between the band´s third and fourth full-length studio albums "Pierced From Within (1995)" and "Souls to Deny (2004)". Suffocation disbanded shortly after the EP was released. They reformed again in 2002 with a modified lineup (and released their comeback album "Souls to Deny" in 2004). The lineup on "Despise the Sun" includes new drummer Dave Culross (Malevolent Creation, Pyrexia), who replaces Doug Bohn. "Despise the Sun" was recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in New York and was produced by Scott Burns.

The 16:34 minutes long EP features 5 tracks of crushingly brutal and technically well played death metal in the trademark Suffocation style. Production wise and also on other parameters I´d say that the sound and style on "Despise the Sun" remind me the most of "Pierced From Within (1995)". In other words a natural successor to that album. And that´s definitely not a bad thing. Few can deliver brutal technical death metal with such conviction and passion as Suffocation. If you ask me they are one of the few acts in the really brutal part of the death metal genre that actually stand out with a unique sound. The fact that Frank Mullen´s ultra brutal growls are actually slightly intelligible only makes the listening experience that more intense. And intensity is certainly a good word to describe what this EP is about. It´s actually a downright punishing listen. The playing is relentlessly energetic wether it is blasting sections, mid-paced sections or the über brutal breakdowns that are also featured in the music. To my ears highlights are the title track and the re-recording of "Catatonia". A track which originally appeared on the "Human Waste (1991)" EP.

Suffocation are not exactly known for writing easy listening material and it does take a while before hooks begin to appear on this release too. However the band stick to their guns and never fall into the "cheap" trap of incorporating melody to make their music more easily accessible. They demand your full attention and by the fiercely aggressive way these guys sound you´re probably better off giving it to them. Effectful songwriting, a powerful sound production, and an extremely well playing band amount to a 4 star (80%) rating.
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