Deathcore has only a few leaders at this point, but a countless amount of followers. Suicide Silence is one of those bands that has the power to be both, which isn't the most inspiring thing when it comes to this group. The band formed back in 2002, and comes to us from Riverside, California, in the United States of America. The five piece hit the scene during the earlier days of the Deathcore movement, and after some demo material, the band found a home with Third Strike Records to release their self-titled EP. Eventually, amidst the flurry among labels to secure as many good, talented, or gimmicky Deathcore bands as possible to flood the market with, Suicide Silence was picked up, and immediately become one of the frontrunners to the entire style.

With a strong backing from the retail chain Hot Topic for their debut full-length, The Cleansing, it became pretty obvious that Deathcore was the new Metalcore, and this was a band that was destined for great things. As the years followed, members came and went, but the band only seemed to be solidified more with each member. However, with as much growth as the band showed through those solidifying and trying times, the more the band showed the impression of stepping back and becoming more of a follower then an actual leader in a movement they were primed to dominate. After three full-length albums, it's pretty clear that the band's following is not going to disperse any time soon, and whether people's preconceptions of Deathcore being a trend or not still has time to show itself true or false, it's clear Suicide Silence will remain despite the outcome. Given the changes over the time from No Time to Bleed and their latest effort The Black Crown, even if it does die out, the band clearly has what it takes to change things around and remain a dominant force.

Suicide Silence

This is where it all really started. Initially the EP was released in the UK first, since Third Strike Records appears to be a UK-based label, but it eventually made it's way to the States. The release showed some great promise from the band, but it also showed lack of anything too engaging or really unique. It's a great place to start, especially to hear the original materal that got the Suicide Silence ball rolling, but it could have been a stronger EP overall thanks to the production quality. Of course, this means I don't really visit this EP that much, and I also really have nothing much else to say about it.

The Cleansing

For me, it was new release day (Tuesday here in the States), and I had some money to burn to discover new bands, or add to discographies for my collection. Running from one record store to another, I happened to walk into Hot Topic to see if they perhaps got a new Death Metal album in while they were still trendy towards good Metal bands. Had it not been for going into this store, I never would have known about Suicide Silence's existence. At least, not gor a good while anyhow. I was impressed by what I heard, but knew that there was more going on with the band then the album actually showed. The material was repetitive, but still unique enough to say it wasn't a carbon copy of each track, and the overall brutality really got me hooked on the release. The Cleansing wound up not leaving my player for a while, and as a casual listener it was a good album. I could go from one track to another knowing I probably wouldn't miss much and that my main focus could be on the road, computer, game, or whatever else I was doing. Even years after it was released, I'll still throw it in once in a while just for the brutality and energy the band puts out on this release.

No Time to Bleed

No Time to Bleed was easily one of the biggest let downs from 2009. I was actually really excited to pick this one up since I got into The Cleansing so much, and due to all the talent I saw hidden in the constant somewhat similar chugging tracks. However, after a few songs, I wanted to chuck this one right out the window of my car on the highway as I headed home. There was nothing too special or unique except a few songs, and much of it felt like idol worship of the bands in the Deathcore style I personally cannot stand or get into. Early Job for a Cowboy, Emmure, early Waking the Cadavre...the music felt like they just wanted to sound like these bands that took hold of the style out of nowhere, which was something that others in the style were (and still are) doing today. I listened to this album two, maybe three times, and until I decided to review it, I didn't bother with it again. Even after the review, I don't plan to put it in my player again. It's not a horrible album, and it does capture what the fans of Deathcore seem to really want, which is everything they've already heard and insanely slow breakdowns that ruin the flow of the music. There was nothing to really see here, so I moved along.

The Black Crown

This is not the most envigorating or engaging album I've ever heard, but it's solid, well composed, nicely executed despite some robotic parts and an off-key Jonathan Davis, and makes for a good casual spin. I admit I was kind of anxious to get to this one, only because I wanted to see if the band was sticking with the sound of No Time to Bleed, and I really did not want to pay them to rape my eardrums once more, but it was also because I was getting plenty of requests to review this one, and I'm just happy I could finally have obliged the readers. It was a pleasant experience that I promptly threw onto a CD-R and have been driving around listening to now for a good week (it was a digital promo with MP3 files from the label, not an illegal download) and, whenever I get the money to spare, I'll probably pick it up and add it to the collection. It's nothing too over the top, it's nothing bad, it's just a good album. There's really nothing else to say except that I'm pleased with the album overall, but still wondering due to the cut off gang chants that seem to be copied and pasted during one song about the amount of influence the studio's digital equipment and programs like ProTools had in the composition of this release.

Suicide Silence have definitely changed their face in Deathcore enough times, and chances are good this won't be the last. Despite obvious fan service, the band has done a good job at giving fans what they want while still having a more unique vibe to them. The Black Crown shows this nicely, though still seeming to pay homage to more recent Job for a Cowboy ideas for a robotic Death Metal approach that sounds good and tight none the less. Overall, The Cleansing may have got a lower score from me, but it's still by far their best in a personal opinion because there's just more to get into. The energy is there, the brutality is insane, and while The Black Crown does feel like a stronger album, it doesn't really make me stop at any point and be in awe of something. In the end, I'm still a Suicide Silence fan, despite how I feel about No Time to Bleed, as well as what anyone may think of the guy who can't stand today's leaders of the style. I enjoy the music, and I often find the band to be a little more unique and talented then others out there. I'm in no hurry to hear the band's fourth full-length, let it come when it may, but for now, with The Cleansing and The Black Crown, I'm content.