Upon the early ’90s death metal explosion, Suffocation was part of a wave of bands who took the genre one step further, subsequently *ahem* Breeding the Spawn we know today as brutal death metal. This, of course, would eventually give way to microgenres like slam death metal, as well as the unfortunate rise of deathcore, but my personal preferences are beside the point here (for now). The point is, love ’em or hate ’em, Suffocation are a massively influential band, and remains so today, if only for the sea of modern death metal bands who model their sound off of the Long Island vets.
Over the years, Suffocation have gone through their fair share of personnel changes, the sole constant of the lineup being founding guitarist/songwriter Terrance Hobbs, who helms the ship on their latest album, Hymns from the Apocrypha. This album marks a turning point for Suffocation in a few ways. It is their first album in 5 years, the longest wait time between Suffocation albums since the 9 year gap between Pierced from Within (1995) and Souls to Deny (2004). It is also the band’s first album without original growler Frank Mullen.
There’s no denying Mullen’s gutturals were an integral part of the Suffocation sound. Alongside Cannibal Corpse’s Chris Barnes (yes kids, there was a time when Barnes was ACTUALLY a respected death metal musician), Mullen laid down the groundwork for modern death metal vocals. That said, new frontman Ricky Myers of Disgorge infamy does a fine job filling the gap on this latest album. No, he isn’t Mullen, but his approach comes pretty damn close and most definitely fits the mold of the music…which is where Hymns‘ problems lie.
Similar to Cryptopsy’s latest album, As Gomorrah Burns, Hymns suffers largely from pedestrian writing and generic modern production, sounding less like a Suffocation album and more like a Suffocation clone album. The same can be said for their latest album, …of the Dark Light (2017), which is why I was anticipating better here. Ironically Hymns’ most exciting moments arrive in the form of dissonant outbursts of technicality: A trope I usually loathe outside of Gorguts. And yet songs like “Descendants” and “Embrace the Suffering” captivate the senses. So does the opening title cut with its wild tempo changes, ripping guitar work, and hellish gutturals.
From a purely technical perspective, there’s nothing wrong with Hymns. All of the players are exemplary and Hobbs remains one of the finest guitarists in his realm. Yet all the virtuosity in the world can’t make up for songs that are cookie-cutter brutal death at best (“Dim Veil of Obscurity”, “Delusions of Mortality”) and pseudo-deathcore at worst (“Immortal Execration”, “Seraphim Enslavement”). I don’t doubt that the Blackcraft clad, gauge eared, 200 Stab Wounds listening crowd will go bonkers for this album. Assuming that’s the demographic Suffocation is now catering to, mission accomplished. As for me, I prefer the barbaric brutality of their finest hour (fight me), Human Waste (1991), and will gladly stick to that.
5 out of 10
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
For fans of: Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, Gorguts