Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Suffocation - Pierced From Within (1995)

After the abomination that was Breeding the Spawn Suffocation took all the sick death metal that was smothered under Bagin's terrible production job and simply took it to a whole new level of brutality when it came to Pierced From Within.  In all honesty I swing between this and Effigy of the Forgotten whenever I am asked to name my favourite Suffocation record as both are auditory assaults on the senses that leave scars and bruises aplenty.  Having recently purchased this album on CD (vinyl shortages continue to force me into my second preferred choice of physical format) I found myself rediscovering the calculated and utterly devastating attack of these seven new and two re-recorded tracks from the Human Waste and Breeding the Spawn releases. 

This album is a very tangible experience; certainly when you consider the utter revulsion that is intended to be delivered within this sub-genre of death metal.  Despite not holding back with the horrific lyrical content and relentless delivery, Pierced from Within plays as one of the most accessible pieces of extreme music ever committed to tape.  Driving forwards in the same lane that was wide enough to accommodate Cannibal Corpse and Cryptopsy, Suffocation stole a march on the competition with this release, matching pound for pound the extremity of either of the two aforementioned bands whilst also structuring all of it in a format that hits as a complete experience.  Measuring some of Cryptopsy's technical prowess without straying too far down the intricate route, Suffocation simply deploy changeups and a variety of pacing to get their point across.  

Those looping and blooping leads are perfectly placed in tracks, retaining memorability alongside the punishing tempos in which they appear.  Mullen's vocals are still like he is regurgitating demons that he ate for breakfast but are somehow more focused and easier to trace.  Meanwhile Bohn's drums are just insane and Richard's bass work is just so tight it defies belief at times.  I do not say it very often but I cannot find fault with Pierced from Within. Yes I accept that it is a lot to take in and that this is not an album you will understand after just a couple of listens but that is the beauty of it.  As an experience it rewards with every visit.  Continuing the intensity that was born on Effigy the Forgotten was always going to be difficult but to be able to do that of the back of a complete turkey of a release in between is nothing short of phenomenal.