SUFFOCATION Drummer: Every Day We Struggle With The Relevance Of The Industry

Diabolical Conquest 'zine recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Smith of influential New York death metallers SUFFOCATION. A few excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow below.

Diabolical Conquest: Can you tell us about ["Blood Oath"'s] gestation and creative process, how long it took to write/record? Did the writing and recording go smoothly? Any differences in opinion in the creative team at any point, or songs that were particularly difficult to track?

Mike Smith: This album was actually designed to have a more simplistic approach. With that said, it seems as though the listeners are finally able to grasp more of the details, which, in turn, offers a better listening experience. We are not convinced that the "new listeners" are interested in us showing off what we can do in the name of extreme as opposed to just being catchy and relevant. It took 20 years for us to give in to that approach, but no matter what we always strive to be unique in our own right and approach. We write what's natural to us. The recording process isn't difficult for us to get through. The studio sessions are always smooth and on our terms at this point.

Diabolical Conquest: When the band reformed, you took the role of manager. Now you have Extreme Management Group working on your behalf. Was this, and perhaps the move to your new label Nuclear Blast, a necessary step in order for the band to progress? Are you seeing the benefit?

Mike Smith: Well, everything we do is in "hopes" of moving forward in progression. The jury is still out as to the benefits thus far. Most involved in the behind-the-scenes industry has lost their minds, in my opinion. We have some important relationships as well as some fruitless ones at the moment.

Diabolical Conquest: "Blood Oath" is SUFFOCATION's first album with Nuclear Blast, having been on Relapse since reforming. From reading previous comments of yours, it seems you were fairly ambivalent towards Relapse. Are you confident that Nuclear Blast can deliver where Relapse might not have? What have Nuclear Blast brought to the table that Relapse didn't or couldn't?

Mike Smith: Nuclear Blast has a different level of focus that allows us to at least take them seriously as a major label for the genre. I believe they are open to ideas that are needed to catch the attention of the new generation.

Diabolical Conquest: You've said that when you were signed to them, Roadrunner didn't know what they had with SUFFOCATION. Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?

Mike Smith: We've influenced two generations of death metal musicians. Usually that would mean your career would deserve quality attention spent on nurturing the worldwide success. That definitely wasn't realized at the time of our debut record, "Effigy of the Forgotten". That doesn't mean it's too late to recognize it now, however. I'm sure I can't find that album in the stores today if I desired to purchase it. Seems like two decades of bad business to me. I doubt we can even get any to sell to our fans at the live shows. To me it's a no-brainer. Hand over the product.

Diabolical Conquest: Do you think Nuclear Blast know what they have in welcoming SUFFOCATION to their roster? And Relapse too while we're on the subject...

Mike Smith: Nuclear Blast know what they have. I have no idea what Relapse thinks on the topic.

Diabolical Conquest: Testament to the quality of "Breeding the Spawn" is how great the re-recorded material from it has been — especially the title track appearing on "Pierced from Within" (third album, 1995). Do you have plans to re-record any more of that material? Some of us are hoping we can eventually compile all the re-recorded tracks into an alternative version of the album!

Mike Smith: It all depends if we choose to write any more albums. Every day we struggle with the relevance of the industry and our continued input to it. We've done our part; we are waiting for the returns. If we do create another album, anything's possible with the remaining "Breeding the Spawn" tracks.

Raad the entire interview from Diabolical Conquest.

SUFFOCATION will embark on a European headlining tour in March/April 2010. Support on the trek will come from ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY, NERVECELL, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and BURNING THE MASSES.