...Of the Dark Light
Suffocation · 2017
35 min · 9 tracks · death metal
Relentless blast beats and guttural vocals intertwine with intricate guitar work, creating a dense atmosphere of suffocating intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
The Warmth Within the Dark — This track encapsulates the album's blend of melodic complexity and brutal rhythms, highlighting Suffocation's ability to balance aggression with musicality.
-
→
Clarity Through Deprivation — Opening the album, this track sets a high standard with its relentless energy and intricate guitar harmonies that are signature to Suffocation's sound.
-
→
Caught Between Two Worlds — This song showcases lyrical depth alongside its crushing riffs, illustrating themes of conflict and identity that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases technical proficiency and maintains a cohesive sound while exploring varied tempos and intricate arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features rapid blast beats and complex guitar riffs, setting a relentless pace that continues through the first half.
- Each song typically features multiple tempo changes, alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, heavier breakdowns.
- Vocals are predominantly guttural and layered with harmonies, often intertwining with the intricate guitar work rather than sitting atop it.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, contrasting the intensity of the preceding songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo intensity
- immersive listening in order
- relentless emotional catharsis
- dark themes of despair
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat energy
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2017, ...Of the Dark Light is Suffocation's seventh studio album and marks their first release in four years, following Pinnacle of Bedlam. By this time, the band had solidified their legacy as pioneers of death metal while navigating lineup changes that included founding guitarist Terrance Hobbs and drummer Eric Morotti.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Dying Fetus· Nile
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Clarity Through Deprivation 4:04
- 2 The Warmth Within the Dark 3:39
- 3 Your Last Breaths 4:36
- 4 Return to the Abyss 3:56
- 5 The Violation 3:41
- 6 Of the Dark Light 3:41
- 7 Some Things Should Be Left Alone 3:23
- 8 Caught Between Two Worlds 4:19
- 9 Epitaph of the Credulous 3:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.