Long Island’s brutal death metal progenitors Suffocation have been gouging out the eyes of unsuspecting music fans for well over three decades at this point. Their influence on extreme metal is undeniable, and while we at the Hard Times are far from sages on the subject, we wager that the whole of death metal would sound like Neutral Milk Hotel today had they not been around to help shape the sound. We are always up for a challenge, and have set out to rank all of their albums while knowing full well that not a single dud exists. There was never any real risk of Suffocation putting out an acoustic LP or some befuddling collaboration with Lou Reed. These are essentially in order from “skull fully bludgeoned” to “skull pounded into dust after having been fully bludgeoned,” so count to ten and remember to take your blood pressure medication before you listen. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
9. Breeding the Spawn (1993)
As die-hard fans of old-school death metal, it absolutely breaks our heart to put a Suffocation album from the early nineties in last place, but the production on this one steals the clout from a collection of truly well-written songs. The band themselves seem to agree with this, as the fact that they went on to re-record six of these tunes on later albums doesn’t necessarily stand out as a ringing endorsement. With that being said, there’s a lot to dig here, and the release sees the band in a perfect middle-ground between the raw punishment of their debut and the technical mastery of “Pierced from Within.” So make that glass half-full and view the rough production as a charming, nostalgic asset, and you’ll get some pure joy out of this one. After all, that’s how we enjoy almost every black metal album from that time.
Play again: “Prelude to Repulsion”
Skip it: “Ornaments of Decrepancy”
8. Blood Oath (2009)
This one’s got it all. Great riffs, great production, technical proficiency that doesn’t equate to audial masturbation, and vocals that would make Pazuzu himself jealous. Just listen to that double bass under the haunting starting riff at the onset of the title track. Goddamn, this one comes in hard! On the whole, there’s really not much we can say to criticize this album other than pointing out that it just doesn’t stand out much when compared to the below entries. We can’t shake the feeling that we’d be revering this much more had the band not possessed such a vast catalog, but whatever, this is the Hard Times, not Rolling Stone. Feel free to tell us we fucked up on this one; we’ll be too busy enjoying the riff on “Come Hell or High Priest” to give a shit.
Play again: “Provoking the Disturbed”
Skip it: “Undeserving”
7. …Of the Dark Light (2017)
Original frontman Frank Mullen’s swansong with the band came with this 2017 opus, and by God he went out on a high note. Just listen to him growl “You choke, cannot swallow, the truth has made you vomit” on “The Warmth Within the Dark.” We’re not sure what that means, but…hell yeah, we’re on board! Newbies and current members Charlie Errigo and Eric Morotti shine in the open slots at guitar and drums, respectively, and effortlessly keep those mind-bending Suffocation tunes we’ve all grown to know and love coming. It gets a little too technical for our tastes at times (we hear you, “Your Last Breaths,”) but we’re just nitpicking. Max out the volume on this baddie and go mosh some unsuspecting strangers.
Play again: “Return to the Abyss”
Skip it: “…Of the Dark Light”
6. Souls to Deny (2004)
We’ve gotta admit, we have a soft spot for “Souls to Deny.” This was their first full-length album in nine years when it came out, and there’s just something about a comeback album by Suffocation delivering a mallet to the crotch of every shitty Taking Back Sunday and Yellowcard song we were hearing at the time that results in us viewing this through rose-colored glasses. Or maybe we just have some residual teenage angst left over from our high school years. What do you want from us? We’re going to go watch the “Surgery of Impalement” music video. Seeing the band tear shit up in a junkyard or whatever should help us sort through these feelings. Fuck therapy.
Play again: “Subconsciously Enslaved”
Skip it: “Immortally Condemned”
5. Hymns from the Apocrypha (2023)
Guitarist Terrance Hobbs is the only remaining original member at this point, as Disgorge’s Ricky Myers makes his debut as head crooner, and goddamn does he fill those shoes nicely. Just listen to “Immortal Execration.” Is it the apocalypse, or is he just happy to see us? This album gets a little slammy at times, but we’re actually going to give the band props for that. Times are a changin’, and we like to see one of the most important creators of brutal death metal making the moves necessary to stay in the game. Also, bonus points for that album cover. We presume Ganon is dwelling somewhere at the end of those spine ramps, and it’s our destiny to hit that fucker with some light arrows. BRB, we’ll see you at #4.
Play again: “Perpetual Deception”
Skip it: “Embrace the Suffering”
4. Self-Titled (2006)
Alright! From the get-go, you know they’re not fucking around when “Abomination Reborn” starts up. This album takes the technical precision of “Souls to Deny,” hones the production, ups the ferocity of the vocals, and leaves us with a true exemplar of brutality that stands among the band’s best. Just try to listen to “Bind, Torture, Kill” without ending up with an A&E documentary about you in 20 years. Lyrics get a little silly at times, but whatever. There are only so many ways you can convey beating someone to death with a hammer, and the band had been well into its second decade at this point, so who are we to judge? Just appreciate Mike Smith’s drumwork and quit your bitchin’.
Play again: “Creed of the Infidel”
Skip it: “Translucent Pattern of Delirium” (we know we just excused the lyrical slip-ups, but “shut up?” come on now)
3. Pinnacle of Bedlam (2013)
And we’ve reached the pinnacle of post-reformation Suffocation (in our humble opinion.) “Pinnacle of Bedlam” shows itself as a perfect modern iteration of their nineties genius, with twisting riffs, solos that range from eerie to frantic, and crushing drumming from Dave Culross in his only full-length appearance in the band (though not his last appearance on this list.) There’s even a bit of melody in those riffs we’re hearing on the title track, and for some reason we’re not upset. The album cover is sick, too. It’s like Metallica’s “…And Justice for All” if it was brutal death metal with audible bass and infinitely less insufferable band members. Count us in.
Play again: “Inversion”
Skip it: Nahhhhhh
Honorable Mention: Despise the Sun (1998)
Are you about to head out on a two-mile run and are scrambling to put together a playlist to get you through it? Here it is. Done. You’re welcome. Just make sure to obtain proof of your time, because there is a 100% chance you’re going to end up qualifying for the next Olympics. Everything about this EP fucking rips, and we find ourselves revisiting it as often as the two albums below.
2. Pierced from Within (1995)
Focusing on rhythm without sacrificing on the brutality of its predecessor, “Pierced from Within” may very well be your favorite Suffocation album. In fact, it was very close to being ours. Every song is twisting, unpredictable, and above all, crushing. This is a landmark death metal release that has something to appeal to everyone. Odd time signatures? Done. Gut-wrenching death growls? Done. Masterful drumming? Done. Fucking arpeggios? Sure, why not? And it all works seamlessly. There’s a reason the band still opens its live shows with “Thrones of Blood” to this day. So quit reading this and go listen, you fucking nerd.
Play again: “Torn Into Enthrallment”
Skip it: None of it; not even the “Breeding the Spawn” rerecord at the end
1. Effigy of the Forgotten (1991)
We know what you’re thinking: with such a glowing review of “Pierced from Within,” why isn’t it number one? It’s because we’re fucking cavemen, that’s why. The abstract concept of brutality didn’t exist until the band laid down “Liege of Inveracity” some storied day in the early nineties, and we are forever grateful for that. Everybody in the band is absolutely crushing on this one, and Frank Mullen delivers a masterful performance; sounding like something out of a goddamn nightmare, and is even boosted by death metal stalwart George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher on “Reincremation” and “Mass Obliteration”. What more could we ask for? Maybe an accompanying shovel with our purchase so we could dig along to “Infecting the Crypts,” but now we’re just being persnickety.
Play again: All of it (that is, if you survived)
Skip it: Don’t even think about it.