The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Effigy of the Forgotten
Artist: Suffocation
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release Date: 1991

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Requiem:
    One of the reasons I really can't get into the brutal death metal anymore is that I truly believe that it has all been done, and done as good as it will ever be. Suffocation took the existing death metal world and ate it for breakfast. Their first release, Human Waste showed some certain promise despite the horrid production, but it was the follow-up Effigy of the Forgotten which left death metal in an irreplaceable state. As far as I am concerned few have come close to the mind-blowing legacy that Suffocation left behind. Three full lengths and two EPs later, Suffocation disbanded, leaving their irreplaceable skills for all to worship and drool over. Eleven years later, I still play airdrums furiously and laugh at how unparalleled this album really is.

    First of all one must give credit to the production, which accentuates the heaviness more so than any album of their impressive catalogue. The guitars have a fuzzy yet crushing sound, which is completely audible in every respect. Every single complex riff and each note of every solo can be heard with clarity without sacrificing the heavy production. The drums are captured to near perfection and are not sacrificed by any other element. The cymbals cut through the mix and every drum is mixed perfectly. Frank Mullen's hand-cupped muffled vocals fit the music like beer at a football game. Whether it was a matter of luck or not, this record's production hit the nail on the head and I'm sure many a death metal fan can back me up on that.

    MVP and quite possibly the best death metal drum performance of all time goes to Mike Smith. The man is just inhuman to say the least. His style is not only jaw-dropping but completely complements the surrounding riffs. I could watch the man perform the drum tracks alone and be satisfied. I've witnessed numerous occasions of multi-person air drum sessions while listening to this album... let's just put it at that. And for one to master airdrumming on this is quite the feat even. The riffs represent the second half of the beauty, with the ultra fuzzy guitars spewing forth riffs that are several measures long at times. And when it's time for a breakdown, the shit hits the fan. This is the birthplace of New York death metal breakdowns, so those currently into Skinless, Internal Bleeding and Dying Fetus can learn how it was meant to be done.

    Opening track "Liege of Inveracity" is one of the best which smokes through three minutes of blast beat mayhem before reaching the mosh riff of the decade at the end. A pure death metal classic in every sense. "Infecting the Crypts" crafts its way through one of Suffocation's heaviest moments of ever. You would swear the drummer had eight arms with the fills he does and the guitarists' were picking with power drills. The solos are akin to that heard from the likes of Slayer; fast and chaotic, but less sloppily executed. Each song is so carefully crafted and there is so much to take in with every riff and song, it makes me want to cry. I really think no death metal band has come within reach of Suffocation. They were the ultimate technically proficient brutal death metal band if there ever was one.

    If you couldn't tell already, I'll stand behind this record until I'm beaten to a bloody pulp. It has marveled many including myself and easily sits within my top 10 of all time. I've seen this band whenever they came within a hundred-mile radius of my house and I was pummeled each and every time. And although the remaining albums of Suffocation kick endless ass as well, Effigy of the Forgotten is the fully loaded Cadillac of death metal. It's a monstrous entity and yet it rides so smoothly. Get your hands on this any way possible and tell me your not convulsing on the floor in utter amazement afterwards.
    5 out of 5

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