Seventeen years into their existence, Make Them Suffer haven’t lost enthusiasm for what they do, and are just as spirited now as ever. The metalcore Perthians released their self-titled record last year, receiving well-earned praise from both fans and critics. Showcasing a natural progression of their sound as well as exploring new sonic territories, this record was a true return to form for the group. This June, Make Them Suffer will embark on a regional Australian tour to celebrate the record’s release in their homeland, straight off the back of their European tour. I caught up with lead singer Sean Harmanis ahead of the tour to chat about their record, touring Europe, and coming back home.
Sean joins me via zoom from his tour bus as they travel through Munich, and despite the early morning and patchy internet connection, he’s eager to chat. We’re speaking just days after the Hellbound Cruise announcement dropped, with Make Them Suffer among the stellar lineup. “It’s been a bucket list thing for me. I’ve always seen cruise ship festivals- I believe there’s one that happens in Europe and there’s one that happens in the States, but I think it’s super special and cool that we’ve got something like that in Australia now.” Harmanis says in anticipation of the heavy metal voyage.
Make Them Suffer is still riding the waves of their 2024 self-titled record, which marks the band’s fifth studio release. “You know, at this point we’ve just been a band for quite such a long time, 15, 16 years- something like that. At this point in our career we’ve been through so much in terms of ups and downs.” Harmanis explains of their choice to release a self-titled record at this point in their discography, going on to say, “This album is just an amalgamation of all our best work and the best elements of our band throughout its history…we were just super comfortable with the point that the band had gotten to in a creative sense and in terms of the headspace that everyone’s in. And so I think calling the album Make Them Suffer is a reflection of that. We’re feeling very strong in terms of our headspace and yeah, we just wanted the album title to reflect that.”
Listening to this record, there’s a noticeable shift in tone compared to previous releases that feels natural yet intentional. It feels bigger and better than their earlier work, but with a sense of familiarity which stays true to their signature sound. “We just kind of felt like things were getting a little bit stale with the old kind of guitar tuning.” Harmanis says of the overall tone of the record. “We felt very confined to the parameters of what people perceive us to be, and making decisions in the songwriting process that are very akin to what Make Them Suffer would typically do on a previous album. I think this for us, this was really just a chance to spread our wings… it’s still very much a Make Them Suffer album, but I mean, it’s different in its tonality, in the subject matter and tone of voice of the lyrics, the riffs- everything. It’s basically just a revamped version of Make Them Suffer. I see it as Make Them Suffer 2.0.”
Six months on from the release, spirits are still running high and its clear that the band is very much wanting to bask in it’s light for as long as possible. “I think it’s a really strong album.” Harmans says without hesitation, going on to explain, “I think it’s an album that we want to continue to push. We’re going to be playing a lot of the songs live on these tours. We’re playing a handful of the songs now and there’s other songs that we’d like to cycle through from the album as well on future tours. I’d love to play “Small Town Syndrome” live, I’d love to play “Tether” live. There’s a number of songs on the album that I think need to be given a spot on the stage. I mean, we’re all thrilled with how the songs have turned out, and I’m particularly thrilled, I think, with how they translate to a live setting.”
June will see Make Them Suffer embark on a regional tour across Australia, and while Geelong isn’t exactly Munich, the band could not be more excited to come home and play some more intimate gigs, with Harmanis saying, “ I think more more than anything, the members of Make Them Suffer are most excited for this regional tour of all the tours. We haven’t played a lot of these communities and towns in a number of years… I think it’s going to be very nostalgic. But really, I’m just excited to get in a bus with my best friends and travel around the country… It’s gonna be a little bit more stripped back and I think with that it’ll be a more intimate opportunity to spend with the crowds in these communities and deliver a more raw, stripped back, high energy show. It’s going to be awesome.”
Aussie regional tours go hard, it’s no secret. After playing to slightly more reserved audiences across Europe, Harmanis shares his eagerness to reconnect with rowdy Aussie audiences, saying, “My favourite crowd response ever is always the push mosh. I just love when it’s just a bunch of mates pushing themselves around, pushing their friends around. It’s always such a good energy to be around, And I’m hoping to see lots of bush mosh on this regional tour.” And that they will, I’m sure.
When asked what message or feeling he’d like people to leave the regional shows with, Harmanis pondered for a moment before answering, “Live today like today is the first day of the rest of your life.” And while I’m not entirely sure how that translates to the tour, I’m here for it.
Tickets are still available for this massive 20-show tour, so make today the first day of the rest of your life and grab your tickets HERE.
MAKE THEM SUFFER – REGIONAL AUSSIE TOUR
Thursday 12 June – Seabreeze Hotel, Mackay (18+)
Friday 13 June – Harvey Rd Tavern, Gladstone (18+)
Saturday 14 June – The Station, Sunshine Coast (18+)
Sunday 15 June – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast (18+)
Tuesday 17 June – Caringbah Hotel, Caringbah (18+)
Thursday 19 June – Drifters Wharf, Central Coast (18+)
Friday 20 June – Uni Bar, Wollongong (18+)
Saturday 21 June – The Basement, Canberra (18+)
Sunday 22 June – Beer Deluxe, Albury (18+)
Wednesday 25 June – Volta, Ballarat (18+)
Thursday 26 June – Commercial Hotel, South Morang (18+)
Friday 27 June – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (18+)
Saturday 28 June – Forth Pub, Forth (18+)
Sunday 29 June – Altar, Hobart (18+)
Thursday 3 July – District14, Narre Warren (18+)
Friday 4 July – Wool Exchange, Geelong (18+)
Images supplied by the artist
