Relapse Records has announced the signing of death metal legends SUFFOCATION. The band will issue its as-yet-untitled new full length release in Spring 2004.

SUFFOCATION, (Frank Mullen - vocals, Terrance Hobbs - guitar, Guy Marchais - guitar, Josh Barohn - bass, Mike Smith - drums) one of the most influential and emulated bands in the history of extreme music and the pioneers of the now infamous 'New York death metal sound', return to the Relapse label after releasing the now classic albums Effigy Of The Forgotten (1991), Breeding The Spawn (1993), and Pierced From Within (1995) via Roadrunner Records. SUFFOCATION's debut release -- 1991's seminal Human Waste --was the first CD release in the history of Relapse Records, and the band's signing comes on the eve of the label's thirteenth anniversary. In addition to releasing Human Waste, Relapse also reissued SUFFOCATION's Despise the Sun EP in 2002.

SUFFOCATION will make their only live appearance for the remainder of 2003 on August 30th, when the band will headline the Las Vegas Metalfest. The band will then head into the studio to continue work on their forthcoming full length album.