Australian metalcore veterans Make Them Suffer are set to release their fifth studio album in November 8th. The band’s guitarist Nick McLernon took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, their most recent tour with Bury Tomorrow, the challenges of playing in different markets, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Your band, Make Them Suffer are set to release their self-titled fifth album on November 8th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
McLernon: Listen to the record in full. Don’t compare each song equally but instead digest it all in unity.
MER: How was the writing and recording process having this being your band’s fifth album?
McLernon: This is our second self produced record. Due to the COVID environment, we had no option to work with an overseas producer and the release of “Doomswitch” encouraged us to pursue the self-production route. Much of the writing was done in between touring, the recording was done between touring, for two years we were non stop writing, touring, and recording.
MER: How did the idea come about of having this album be self-titled?
McLernon: If I could go back far enough we’d all be reading this for five hours across 2600 pages. In very brief summary, this is the first time in over ten years as a band we finally feel like a unit, especially after Alex joined the band. This could be our final form, and the record is self-produced so it was only fitting that we would self-title the album.
MER: How was it bringing back Jeff Dunne to collaborate on the album?
McLernon: Jeff is a legendary human being and we’ve had a connection to him since Neverbloom in 2012. Jeff helping us record, engineer, mix and master the record seemed like another piece of the self-titled puzzle.
MER: You’ve released four singles from the album so far, do you feel those four songs give fans an idea on what to expect from the full album?
McLernon: I like to think that each song is different with its own very unique purpose and represents a different shade of us. The only two tracks which may be comparable could be “Doomswitch” and “Oscillator” as they were conceived around roughly the same time, so I like to see those to songs as a different shade of the same color. The rest of the album exhibits different colors, figuratively speaking.
MER: You just finished a tour in Australia along with Bury Tomorrow, Spite, and Bloom, how did the tour go for you and your band?
McLernon: It’s one that I will remember for a lifetime. Great tour package, shows have been amazing, experience has been amazing, I just wish it was longer.
MER: What do you see as plans for you and your band the rest of the year?
McLernon: We’re at home intermittently in between visits to China, New Zealand, and Europe for more performances. In between that, more writing. The writing never stops
MER: Who else do you hope to tour with and why?
McLernon: We’ve ticked everyone off our bucket list in terms of touring. We’d just love to be back out on the road with friends as that is the most fun we have when we’re out on the road.
MER: How is it playing in Australia and Europe compared to playing in America?
McLernon: Australia and America are very similar aside from America’s vast market. There are more places to play in the US and Europe, but the live show / concert / festival culture is much different in Europe. You really have to turn up in Europe to convince people because your music alone won’t necessarily do it. Australia and America will sympathise with you if you’re not 100%. You can’t get away with that in Europe.
MER: What have been some of your favorite releases of 2024?
McLernon: Knocked Loose’s new album, Alpha Wolf’s new album, anything in the Metalcore territory has simply been outrageous.
MER: Out of your band’s five albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan?
McLernon: I would suggest the latest record and work their way down.
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