Suffocation – ‘Close Of A Chapter’ (Relapse)
CD Reviews
Written by Darrel Sutton
Friday, 02 October 2009 09:46
Live albums can be a bit of a hit or miss affair, sometimes not really getting the vibe of an actual show across and all too often released as simple career stopgaps. That certainly isn’t the case in this instance, which is all the more of a pleasant surprise as numerous previous live albums in the Death Metal genre have been mediocre at best.
‘Close Of A Chapter’ was recorded in Quebec City in 2005 and was originally self-released by the band, but as drummer Mike Smith points out that there are only 50 genuine versions of that original release, and this is really the first time this has truly seen the light of day.
Released now in a totally unedited format, the power Suffocation has always had by the bucket load really comes across throughout the 13 songs on offer. Kicking off with ‘Infecting The Crypts’ from their ‘Human Waste’ opus from 1991 (yep they really have been around that long) and basically pummelling the senses right through to closer ‘Funeral Inception’ via all the usual favourites, you get everything you come to expect from the New Yorkers and more. The most dense, intense rhythm section in Death Metal, Mike Smith and Derek Boyer providing the perfect backdrop from guitarists Terence Hobbs and Guy Marchais to flay skin and flesh from those brave it enough to let this rip in the comfort of their own pit. Frank Mullen’s familiar gargle rounding things off very nicely.
A real bit of class from some true legends.