Suffocation, an American death metal band, fused the predominant rhythmic styles of early death metal, with complex song structures to start a new subgenre of music, considered brutal death metal by some. Suffocation is placed amongst peers Immolation, Incantation, and Morpheus (Descends) as being part of a genetic fragment of death metal known as "New York Death Metal", or "NYDM" for short. The band is also known for having two African American musicians (drummer Mike Smith and guitarist Terrance Hobbs) which is rare in the underground metal scene.

The band was formed in 1990 and since then released a couple of highly-regarded releases on the once death metal powerhouse label "Roadrunner Records", as well as their last EP "Despise The Sun" on a smaller label . Of note is also their debut EP "Human Waste", which was the first official release on Relapse Records in 1991.

Suffocation resumed full time activity in 2004, releasing the album "Souls To Deny" on Relapse Records and embarked on a substantial world tour. A music video for the song "Surgery of Impalement" has been featured on video outlets such as Headbanger's Ball and Uranium.
In 2006 Suffocation released the album "Suffocation" on Relapse Records. A videoclip was made for the song "Abomination Reborn".