Even for Metal bands, to say goodbye is never an easy thing. To go on separate ways after long years sharing hardships and glorious moments seems an unbearable experience for many. But even passing through pain, many tries to make things work out and keep on fighting. But to the veterans pioneers of SUFFOCATION, "Live in North America" has a taste of leaving the past behind and embracing a new future at the same time.

It's not necessary to explain that the quintet is a pioneer into what is called Brutal/Technical Death Metal, because they're one of the first bands to use unconventional technical insight (inherited from Jazz) into the brutality of the genre, and to have the incredible low tuned grunts on vocals. And this live album is a farewell recorded during Death Chopping North America 2018 Tour, because Frank Mullen 9their original vocalist) retired from musical scene. So this release is extremely special, and the band focused a lot of their setlist on their classic songs, especially from their early releases.

As said above, the recordings occurred during their North American tour on 2018, and they had chosen Christian Donaldson (the guitarist of CRYPTOPSY and MYTHOSIS) for the mixing and mastering. And the final result is really amazing, creating a defined and clean sonority where the band can be understood without problems, but keeping it distorted, nasty and with the live feeling that such kind of release needs.

As said above, the songs from "Live in North America" are from their early releases, the ones who consolidated their career. And it's great to hear for the last time the band playing classics as "Thrones of Blood" (the trademark guitar riffs and astonishing technical insight on the solos of the band are great as always), "Effigy of the Forgotten" (a fast and brutal song that takes advantage from the low death growls), "Funeral Inception" and "Pierced from Within" (a technical massacre from the artillery of bass guitar and drums), "Surgery of Impalement" (this is what Brutal/Technical Death Metal stands for), "Jesus Wept" (excellent and massive guitars, as always), "Breeding the Spawn" (a massive onslaught led by the trademark grunts of the band), "Souls to Deny" and "Infecting the Crypts" with his original singer. But it could be better if expanded for a double live CD with a DVD, of course.

After listening to "Live in North America", the fans must praise SUFFOCATION for all their leading work in the extreme Metal scene. And thanks for all your efforts throughout these 30 years, Frank. We really wish to you a great time in retirement.