Make Them Suffer - Make Them Suffer (Album Review)

Make Them Suffer - Make Them Suffer
Released: November 8th, 2024

Lineup

Sean Harmanis // Lead vocals
Alex Reade // Keys & vocals
Nick McLernon // Guitar
Jaya Jeffery // Bass
Jordan Mather // Drums

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Since their humble inception in 2008, Make Them Suffer have proven to be an ever-evolving powerhouse within the realm of heavy music. The Perth-based group's back catalogue spans a range of styles, from the deathcore tracks on debut releases Lord of Woe and Neverbloom, to the melodic metalcore sounds that the world-renowned act have released in recent years, as seen on 2020's How To Survive A Funeral. With each album marking the beginning of an exciting new era within the outfit's soundscape, its exciting to ponder just how much this latest offering will contribute to their ongoing success.

The album begins with 'The Warning', which offers church-styled choir vocals that are quickly disrupted by synth and electronic elements, gradually crescendoing into a climatic finish that takes us into the groove-orientated guitar riffs in 'Weaponized'. The track is brought to life throughout the chorus, where Alex Reade's singing offers an auditorily beautiful contrast to Sean Harmanis' unclean vocals. Reade flourishes in the moment and sets the standard high for what we can expect from her further into the album. The track closes out with a mosh inducing breakdown that leaves me on the edge of my seat as I press play on 'Oscillator'. Similarly to the previous track, this single ebbs and flows between the enchantingly melodic chorus where Reade thrives with her hauntingly graceful vocals and the powerful prowess of unclean vocalist Harmanis, who delivers his vocal duties on top of low tuned instrumentals, consisting of a blend of synth elements and intricate compositions.

The album's oldest single 'Doomswitch' recently hit its two year anniversary. Regardless of this fact, this song has yet to lose its touch on me. The introduction of the keytar to the band's discography has been a welcomed inclusion, along with the accompanying digital elements on offer. Harmanis' quick styled, clear-cut vocals that fluctuate in range goes to prove that the thirty-four year old is sounding better than he ever has before. Nick McLernon's technical capabilities are also given a moment to be displayed with a neck-snapping guitar solo. This extremely well-rounded track, which marked the beginning of a new era for Make Them Suffer, has certainly stood the test of time thus far.

Similarly to the previous track, 'Mana God' begins with Harmanis yelling the song title, which wouldn't seem so tiresome had the tracklisting been different and that pattern wasn't used in one song, and then the next. Looking past this, MTS continue to capitalise on their modern metalcore sound with low-tuned instrumentals providing a platform for Reade to produce captivating backing screams behind the prowess of Harmanis' voice. With no melodic hook throughout the chorus, or any clean singing at all, this offering breaks the repetitiveness of the same song structure being used all throughout the album, creating an enjoyable listening experience.

Enticing synths take me into 'Epitaph' before I'm introduced to a soundscape that offers old and new elements from Make Them Suffer's career. With riffs that would fit nicely amongst 2017's Worlds Apart album alongside the inclusion of the group's futuristic elements that are commonly used on this release. Reade once again fulfils her duties as clean vocalist impeccably throughout the chorus before displaying her talents in full and offering bursts of unclean vocals while playing her instrument. Reade's talent is awe-inspiring and this track is simply one example. Another example would be her individual flair throughout 'No Hard Feelings'. Dialed-back instrumentals with a fast tempo allows Reade the opportunity to prosper in the limelight as she delivers her eerily divine clean vocals. Harmanis offers his input, which offers a contrasting polarity to Reade's lead. The vocals on this song have cemented my belief that Reade and Harmanis are the best dual vocalists in the game, the results of their partnership are unmatched by most.

Taking a leaf out of Reade's book, Harmanis goes on to display his own clean vocals throughout 'Venusian Blues', although they aren't quite as captivating as Reade's, Sean uses the moment to display his aptitude as a well-rounded vocalist, particularly as he switches between techniques with so much ease (with parts reflecting his melodic-side project, Onslow). Bursts of technicality come from the instrumentalists in fluctuations, which has kept me as a listener on my toes from start to finish. Blistering efforts from Jordan Mather take us into 'Ghost of Me' as he beats his drum kit as if it owes him money. Harmanis goes into this track with a 'no holds barred' attitude and delivers his deepest growls and sharpest tones. With an abundance of synth littered throughout, this recent addition to MTS songs is quickly becoming a staple sound for the Perth act. Once again, Reade's impressive clean vocals are put to use which I would imagine nobody would ever complain about.

Continuing with the staple heavy sounds we know and love this class act for, 'Tether' and 'Small Town Syndrome' close out the self-titled release with further emphasis on the high-quality musicianship that this five-piece offers. From the uniquely special combined vocal efforts of Reade and Harmanis, the impressive riffage from McLernon and Jeffery to the magnificent drumming of Mather - this group operates like a well-oiled machine at peak performance.

Make Them Suffer most certainly found their missing piece when Alex Reade joined following the demise of Drown This City. This newest era of Make Them Suffer is by far the most polished and impressive to date. My only criticism would be the overuse of repetitive song structures e.g. heavy verse, big melodic chorus, heavy verse, then breakdown. However, with this new album now under their belts, there's no stopping this act as they continue along their unwavering upward trajectory.

Make Them Suffer - Make Them Suffer tracklisting

1. The Warning
2. Weaponized
3. Oscillator
4. Doomswitch
5. Mana God
6. Epitaph
7. No Hard Feelings
8. Venusian Blues
9. Ghost Of Me
10. Tether
11. Small Town Syndrome

Rating 8.5/10
Make Them Suffer is out Friday, November 8th. Pre-Order here
Review by Adam Rice