Frank Mullen, front man for New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION, recently gave an interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-PEUmGpZI&feature=player_embedded) that spread very quickly about him no longer performing with the band full time. SUFFOCATION, including Frank Mullen, have issued the following statements about the interview.
“I am not leaving SUFFOCATION,” commented Mullen. “Massive one month long touring on my side cannot be done anymore though. When the new album is released next year I will be touring as much as possible to support the album as well as the following year in 2014.”
When I was asked that question in the interview I was taken off guard and didn’t really know what my schedule was going to look like next year and wanted to try and answer. I haven’t given much thought to what our touring schedule would look like since we’ve been in the studio recording the new release. So I’m going to be getting out there as much as I can to support the album and get out there in front of the ones who have supported Suffocation over the years, the true fans. So we are going to be supporting this record as soon as it comes out”
The rest of the band adds:
“We have respected this decision that Frank has made, but by no means does this mean SUFFOCATION will ‘replace’ him with new singer or stop touring. Death metal has been good to us, and we feel fortunate with the success we have achieved. For shows or tours he can’t be a part of there will be a well respected, talented, fill in singer, so we as a band can continue to prosper and bring SUFFOCATION to the fans. Bill Robinson (DECREPIT BIRTH) is a good friend of ours and came through during the European tours when Frank was unable to make the shows, but he was just filling in those two times. The fill-in singer will be announced soon, and we promise that our fans will not be let down. We have been fortunate to make a great living playing music, and are willing to continue to give our fans what they want.”
SUFFOCATION are currently in the finishing stages of their upcoming new album entitled Pinnacle of Bedlam. The record was produced by the band and tracked at Full Force Studios in New York by longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering of the album is set to be handled this time around by world renowned producer/engineer Zeuss (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDE SILENCE). Pinnacle of Bedlam will feature 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who played with the band previously on their Despise The Sun EP.
SUFFOCATION were recently among the inductees for this year's class of the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame. The event took place on October 18 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. Pictures from the press conference can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151091714073649.445624.41340788648&type=3.
View the video clip for the track “Cataclysmic Purification” at this location http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEYSU4XGLpI. The footage was directed by David Brodsky (ARSIS, GOD FORBID, KATAKLYSM, SWASHBUCKLE) with animation by Tim Kellen.
Blood Oath, the follow-up to 2006's self-titled record, was recorded by Joe Cincotta (who worked on the band's last two releases) and mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH). Cover artwork was once again brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM). The album was released on July 14, 2009.
