Suffokate (band)

Suffokate
Origin	Oakland, California, United States
Genres	Deathcore
Years active	2003–2016
Labels	Stillborn Records Mediaskare Records
Past members	Jared Armitage Ricky Hoover Matthew Aaron Scott Krawchuk Bray Almini Armando Partida Ivan Munguia Nick Skum Taylor Jones Chris Storey John Foster Jason Graff Carlos Guiterez

Suffokate is an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2003.

History

Suffokate was founded in 2003 by Taylor Jones (guitar) and Lars Diaz (drums), later joined by bassist Bray Almini. Following several lineup changes, the band drew the attention of Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, who signed them to his label Stillborn Records. The band released their debut album, Oakland, in 2004, featuring vocalist Ricky Hoover and guitarist Tesoro Protomartir.

They toured the United States alongside Sworn Enemy, Bury Your Dead, All Shall Perish, For the Fallen Dreams, and Abigail Williams. These shows led to a contract with Mediaskare Records, under which they released two albums: No Mercy, No Forgiveness (2010) and Return to Despair (2011).

In May 2012, Ricky Hoover announced his departure from the band for personal reasons. After many line up change, the band disbanded in 2016.

Musical style and influences

Suffokate is considered one of the pioneering bands in early deathcore, alongside acts like Despised Icon, All Shall Perish, Animosity, and Job for a Cowboy. Their 2003 demo Destined to Fail is regarded as one of the genre’s foundational releases in the pre-MySpace era.

Suffokate's style stems from a fusion of Death metal and beatdown hardcore, with traces of 1990s NYHC-influenced metalcore (e.g. All Out War, Irate) and Melodic death metal in the vein of At the Gates.

The band's sound is defined by slam-influenced breakdowns, hardcore-style rhythms, and sharp, melodic riffs. Songs like "Slaughter Your Enemies" feature tempo-shifting mosh sections, while tracks such as "Every Crisis Faced" and "These Eyes Will Watch You Die" incorporate melodic passages without overshadowing the aggression. Their rhythm section emphasizes d-beat and two-step patterns, lending their sound a hybrid of Gothenburg melody and NYHC brutality.

Band members

Final lineup

• Lars Diaz – drums (2003–2016)
• Miguel Esparza – guitars (2013–2016)
• John Oliva – vocals (2014–2016)

Former members

• Nick Skum – bass (2003)
• Jared Armitage – vocals (2003–2008)
• Bray Almini – bass (2004–2011)
• Ricky Hoover – vocals (2008–2012)
• Armando Partida – bass (2013–2014)
• Jason Graff – guitar (2013–2014)
• Matthew Aaron Scott Krawchuk – vocals (2013–2014)
• Ivan Munguia – bass (2014)
• Chris Storey – guitar (2004–2007)
• Taylor Jones – guitar (2003–2006)
• John Foster – guitar (2006–2008)
• Carlos Guiterez – guitar (2003–2005)

Discography

• Oakland (2004, Stillborn Records)
• Demo 2006 (2006, self-released)
• No Mercy, No Forgiveness (2010, Mediaskare Records)
• Return to Despair (2011, Mediaskare Records)