Though they established themselves as innovators during their original run, death metal trailblazers Suffocation have continued to release album after album of sonic brutality since their re-formation in 2003, keeping their momentum going with their seventh album, Pinnacle of Bedlam, another hyper-intense entry into the band's catalog that, while a little more melodic, still brings plenty of fury. The most striking thing about the album is how direct it is. From the opening of "Cycles of Suffering," which rips straight into a frenzy of blastbeats and savage guitars, it's clear that Suffocation aren't interested in musical small talk, forgoing any chance to throw in an intro or cheesy horror movie sample and just letting their music do the talking. This kind of hammer-to-the-forehead approach continues throughout the album, allowing Suffocation to keep the intensity level at maximum as they stampede at full speed through all ten tracks of an album that death metal fans won't want to miss. ~ Gregory Heaney

• Genre: Metal
• RSD Date: DDD
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 12/14/2018