It’s time once again to kick the dust off of an old favorite and for this week’s Throwback Thursday. Today we take a look at Suffocation‘s full length debut Effigy of the Forgotten. Consequently this seminal album turns 24 this month — with that, I feel old. During a booming time for death metal this five piece from New York created an album that would go on to be a landmark release along with being an inspiration for so many bands in its wake.

The competition in the death metal arena was fierce in 1991. But Suffocation had this immense and all encompassing sound capitalized by the extremely low, bass heavy mix by a then-young-but-busy Scott Burns. At least with this band and this release I’ve always preferred the murky delivery over the clear and crisp sound of later releases.

There is so much to dig into here, between the obvious death metal harshness, the quick thrashy parts and the subtle melody hidden in the slower breaks. “Infecting the Crypts” is whiplash pacing at its finest that yields to slower groove through the bridges. The title track showcases Mike Smith’s machine gun percussion and the intricate guitar interplay from Terrance Hobbs and Doug Cerrito across the back half.

Frank Mullen’s vocal work is intense. Lead off track “Liege of Inveracity” was the first time I had heard anything as drowned and guttural. No other track finds him more ferocious. Album closer “Jesus Wept” is a favorite with its outstanding combination of vicious riffing and the sludgy, thick bass work. Fun fact, every time I see the the scene in Hellraiser when Frank says “Jesus Wept” while he is torn apart I hear this track.

– Josh