Album/EP

Snuffed On Sight - Smoke (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Jul 2, 2023

7 min read

Snuffed On Sight - SmokeReleased: July 7th, 2023

Line Up:

Seven Kane // VocalsWalid Gad // GuitarsLaike // DrumsSpencer Metela // Bass

Snuffed On Sight online:

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San Franciscan four piece Snuffed On Sight may have only been a band since 2020, yet their obnoxiously knuckle-dragging take on brutal death metal has seen their stocks rise quickly in the extreme underworld. Their 2021 self-titled EP was the perfect introduction to the group - grooving brutality, punishingly attesting moments, a touch of metallic-hardcore and even a strong vein of hip hop and humour running throughout. With Sanguisugabogg, PeelingFlesh and Extermination Dismemberment all dropping massive releases this year, Snuffed On Sight’s debut full length Smoke is another major highpoint for slam/brutal death in 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4dot1OyzXY

At only 15 minutes long, Snuffed On Sight are clearly here for a good time, not a long time with Smoke. The album’s shortened run time keeps things from getting stale, as ultimately - aside from the creeping, pause-menu style instrumental ‘(Smoke Break)’ - it’s a bit of a one-trick pony. But when the trick is so good, who cares? ‘Time 2 Dip’ is in the running for the best sub-90 second song of the year; it’s pre-breakdown shout out is worth the price of admission alone, as is the guest spot from PeelingFlesh’s Damonteal Harris. Vocalist Seven Kane’s purely guttural attack never lets up, whilst guitarist Walid Gad is a weapon - from the scrapping main riff on the awesome ‘Slippin’, to the rampaging, digit-twisting title track.

Of course, there are breakdown/beatdowns aplenty, such as the double slowdown on ‘Repeat Offender’, while the whiplash intro of ‘Dummy’ works it’s way into potentially the LP’s most devastating slam. Snuffed On Sight isn't just creating music to crush and destroy, there is some serious, serious groove on Smoke, and loads of heavy hooks. Smoke’s fantastic production is worthy of note too. Self recorded, and then mixed/mastered by Hunter Young and Brandon Lopez’, the album sounds huge and clear, without sacrificing unpolished savagery - including the classic ‘ping’ing snare and some flattening 808 drops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EODsgORqjI

Snuffed On Sight’s debut LP is a resounding success and frankly nigh-on impossible to fault. Smoke will be too intense for most ‘normal’ music listening folks, but if you can appreciate the gnarlier end of metal then you’d be a fool to miss this release. It’s absolutely soaked with ear-grabbing parts - riffs, grooves, beatdowns, samples (‘DTD’ in particular!), guest spots; there is a smorgasbord on offer for the fun loving extreme metal fan.

The air of lightheartedness and hip-hop imagery that runs through the quarter-of-an-hour effort makes it even more enjoyable, and helps them stand out from an enormous chunk of their peers. Short, sweet and inspired sounding, Snuffed On Sight’s violent debut Smoke will no doubt see the Bay Area bruiser’s continue their march even further up the brutal metal ranks.