Suffokate, a deathcore band from Oakland, California, was formed in 2003 by friends Taylor Jones on electric guitar and Lars Diaz on drums. Shortly after their formation, bassist Bray Almini joined the group. Their debut album Oakland was released in 2004 on Stillborn Records, featuring vocalist Ricky Hoover and guitarist Tesoro Protomartir. The band's breakthrough came when Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed took notice of them, leading to a tour across the United States with bands such as Sworn Enemy, Bury Your Dead, All Shall Perish, For the Fallen Dreams, and Abigail Williams. This tour helped Suffokate secure a deal with Mediaskare Records, under which they released No Mercy, No Forgiveness in 2010 and Return to Despair in 2011. In May 2012, Ricky Hoover announced his departure from the band due to personal reasons.
