The band formed in 1990 and has since released many highly-regarded recordings on several labels, including the former powerhouse of the genre, RoadRunner. Their debut, Effigy of the Forgotten, is considered a classic by most, topping the charts of many fans' "all-time favorites" lists. Also worth noting is their debut EP, Human Waste, which was the first official release on Relapse Records in 1991.
The band went through a few member changes before briefly disbanding after their release, Despise the Sun (1998), coming back together in 2002, later in 2004 releasing their next album Souls To Deny. A video for the song, Surgery of Impalement, has been featured on such outlets as Headbanger's Ball and Uranium.
In 2006, They released the self-entitled, Suffocation on Relapse. A videoclip was made for the song, Abomination Reborn. The song and (most of) the band was featured in a commercial for, appropriately enough, The History Channel's series, Dark Ages.
In 2007, the band left Relapse Records. Their next album, Blood Oath, will be released through Nuclear Blast Records, with whom the band signed in September, 2008. There is a rumored concert DVD in the works, but contractual disputes and alleged theft of the source material have delayed the project.
In early 2012, Mike Smith announced his departure from the band. For the remaining shows that year, Dave Culross of Decrepit Birth replaced him on drums.
In 2013, the band released "Pinnacle of Bedlam" and in 2017 the brutal death metal powerhouse put out their latest record, "...of the Dark Light" - last album to feature original vocalist Frank Mullen.
In late 2018, band founder Frank Mullen quit the band. Ricky Myers, of Disgorge, is the current live vocalist.
Regret
Suffocation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I strip the souls from the worthless
Euphoric pleasure saturates, but this is real
These memories of conflict and struggle
Why do I feel these feelings of regret and pity?
But what has happened? There's blood on my hands
What have I done? I do not know
The monster that I've become
Has just done what cannot be undone
Unconscious state, who am I?
What have I done? I do not know
Massive confusion, massive confusion overwealms and saturates, saturates my conscious
A million misconceptions feel all too real
I'm an entanglement of disillusion, blessed by virtues of strife
What of my normal life? The acts I remember
What if they don't exist? I they're not real?
Betrayal of oneself - existing - unknowing
The misuse of life has led me to this state of dementia
The evil that courses through my veins consumes me whole
I strip the soul from your worthlessness
You turn cold as I take from you last kiss
The lyrics to Suffocation's song Regret explore the dark and disturbing thoughts and emotions of a person who has committed murder. The lyrics suggest that the person is haunted by their actions and they are struggling to come to terms with what they have done. The opening lines of the song describe how the person is tormented by visions of murder in their mind and they derive pleasure from stripping the souls from those who they deem worthless. However, as the song progresses, the person starts to question their actions and is filled with feelings of regret and pity. They are unable to comprehend how they could have done such a thing, and the lyrics suggest that they may be experiencing some sort of psychological breakdown.
The lyrics to Regret are particularly powerful because of the way they evoke a sense of horror and dread. The imagery used in the lyrics is graphic and intense, with frequent references to blood, flesh, and death. The song is a meditation on the darker side of human nature, and it confronts the listener with the uncomfortable reality that terrible acts of violence and brutality are perpetrated by people just like us.
Line by Line Meaning
Visions of murder take place in my mind
I have disturbing thoughts and fantasies about killing people.
I strip the souls from the worthless
I feel pleasure in taking away the lives of those who I believe are useless or unworthy.
Euphoric pleasure saturates, but this is real
I experience extreme pleasure from committing these violent acts, even though it's a dangerous reality.
These memories of conflict and struggle
I have vivid recollections of battles and fights in my past.
Why do I feel these feelings of regret and pity?
I'm experiencing remorse and compassion, but I'm not sure why.
But what has happened? There's blood on my hands
I notice that I have blood on my hands, but I'm not sure how it got there.
What have I done? I do not know
I'm completely unaware of the violent actions I just committed.
Recollections becoming clear, Flesh under my nails is really here
My memories of the recent murder are starting to come back, and I realize that there is physical evidence on my body.
The monster that I've become
I realize that I've transformed into a terrible and violent person.
Has just done what cannot be undone
I've committed an irreversible act of violence and death.
Unconscious state, who am I?
I have no idea who I am or what I've done during the blackout state I just experienced.
Massive confusion, massive confusion overwealms and saturates, saturates my conscious
My mind is in a state of complete confusion and turmoil, which consumes my thoughts and emotions.
A million misconceptions feel all too real
I have many false beliefs that feel true and influence my actions.
I'm an entanglement of disillusion, blessed by virtues of strife
My distorted reality and disillusionment has resulted in a life full of conflict and struggle.
What of my normal life? The acts I remember
I question if my normal, everyday life exists or if my memories are real.
What if they don't exist? I they're not real?
I fear that my memories of a normal life are false and that I may be living in a dangerous and violent reality.
Betrayal of oneself - existing - unknowing
I feel like I've betrayed myself by existing in a state of ignorance about my true self and my violent tendencies.
The misuse of life has led me to this state of dementia
I believe that my violent and abusive behavior has resulted in a state of mental illness and confusion.
The evil that courses through my veins consumes me whole
My violent and malicious thoughts and tendencies have taken over my entire being and consumed me whole.
I strip the soul from your worthlessness
I take satisfaction in taking away the lives of those who I deem as unworthy or useless.
You turn cold as I take from you last kiss
I take a final act of violence against you as you take your last breath and die.
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.