SUFFOCATION Drummer Talks About Upcoming CD

SUFFOCATION drummer Mike Smith has spoken to the Danish web site Supreme Brutality about the group's first full-length release since 1995's "Pierced From Within", titled "Souls To Deny", due in the spring through Relapse Records. The following are some of the highlights of that interview:

Supreme Brutality: When do you plan/expect to enter the studio?

Mike Smith: "January 15th give or take a minute or two."

Supreme Brutality: You've used Scott Burns as producer on most of your previous releases but he 's retired now as far as I know! So who will be sitting behind the knobs this time around?

Mike Smith: "SUFFOCATION will be self recording and producing this album along with our soundman and engineer Joe Cincotta. We are a self contained unit this time around. It's the only way to survive in death metal. The fans won't be disappointed, we've heard enough garbage productions to last us a lifetime."

Supreme Brutality: You've used Dan Seagrave to do the cover art in the past. Is he under consideration this time?

Mike Smith: "We've summoned the services of the mighty Dan Seagrave once again. The concept is completely our own, he was able to grasp our idea and completely take it to the next level for the people to stare into for the next few years. It's a good time right now in the SUFFOCATION camp. Everything is falling where it needs to be."

Supreme Brutality: Are you considering making a DVD at some point? Many death metal bands are working or are about to release DVDs in 2004.

Mike Smith: "Definitely that's one of the latest outlets that enable bands to reach out to a broader market. We will put one out in the near future for sure."

Supreme Brutality: [Regarding] the new material, is it a straight continuation from where the last recording, "Despise the Sun", left off or have you gone back to the roots and found inspiration in a classic like "Effigy of the Forgotten"?

Mike Smith: "The strength of 'Effigy' will always be the foundation of our writing style. 'Despise the Sun' is a spawn of that, it differed a little from our past albums because at the time the scene was quickly changing to 'grind or die' tactics. It was SUFFOCATION's way of showing that we won't be left behind no matter what the changes or new fads are. 'Souls to Deny' will possess all of the new styles as well as take it back to the roots of the band."

Supreme Brutality: Are you close to have written all material for the upcoming full-length? How far are you in the process?

Mike Smith: "We are just about complete with the writing and direction of this album, but once everything is in front of us as a collection we will do what we've always done, critique and fine tune it until everyone of us are satisfied with every note. If we're satisfied we're confident the fans will be. We are harder on ourselves than any fan could be."

To read the rest of the interview, click here.