Make Them Suffer – Make Them Suffer (Review)

Make Them Suffer are an Australian metalcore band and this is their fifth album.

Make Them Suffer contains 39 minutes of keyboard/electronics-enriched metalcore, laced with deathcore elements. I’ve never heard Make Them Suffer before, but they’ve impressed me with this new album of theirs.

This is a collection of very well-crafted songs. They’re dynamic and heavy, with a real focus on song-based structures, compelling hooks, and overall catchy songwriting. The balance between aggressive heaviness and stadium-friendly accessibility is effectively struck, allowing Make Them Suffer to serve both masters better than most metalcore bands seem able to. Make Them Suffer are skilled at writing striking music. Be it a riff, an electronic enhancement, a savage set of snarls, a furious beat down segment, an anthemic clean chorus, or whatever it is, each song has ample hooks to ensnare.

I like the vocal variety across the record too. The lead singer primarily unleashes a selection of harsh screams and brutal growls. His voice drips with passion, and his forceful delivery works with the songs to produce engaging synergies. He is frequently backed up by the harsh screams of the keyboardist, who adds an extra layer of aggression. She also deploys weapons-grade clean singing too, which quickly becomes the music’s focal point almost every time they make an appearance.

This is music to dance to. It’s metalcore with a pop sensibility that’s remembered the need to be aggressive and heavy. With songwriting that’s as strong as it is and production values that are through the roof, I can easily imagine this making very big waves. If you’re a fan of contemporary heavy music, then this is an essential listen.