Perth’s Make Them Suffer really know how to bring the heat on a cold, dreary Thursday night in Narre Warren—absolutely packing out District 14 for yet another sold-out show to add to the books. Supporting such a notable band is not for the weak, but luckily the rest of the night’s lineup truly stepped up to the plate. July 3rd showcased the ever-excelling talents of Melbourne-born bands RUN and The Gloom in the Corner, as well as Sydney-based heavyweights Justice for the Damned.

***Sean Harmanis (Make Them Suffer) / Photo Credit:*** ***Tristan Skell***

The night kicked off strong with RUN, the blackened post-metalcore band from Melbourne who are well on their way to spreading their name across the country. Formed in 2020 by vocalist Lochlan Watt, the band now includes Benn Gaylor (bass), Adrian Horsman (drums), and guitarists Arron Parker Richards and Lewis Noke-Edwards, who all joined in 2023. The set launched with their standout track True Heaviness Is Time, the title track from their EP released exactly one year prior to the show. They continued with songs off that EP like Spring and Summer, and dropped their recent single Ash, which—like its follow-up Soil—delivers Watt’s signature deep growls and a crushing rhythmic presence. With two new singles under their belt and no signs of slowing down, RUN are definitely a band to watch closely.

Next, we were graced with the presence of a personal favourite—The Gloom in the Corner. The Melbourne locals are made up of vocalist Mikey Arthur, guitarist Jesse Abdurazak, drummer Josh Clinch, and regular bassist Paul Musolino (who was filled in for on the night by Nicholas Davies). That fill-in didn’t miss a beat—Nicholas brought serious energy, even sharing vocal duties with Mikey on multiple songs.

***Nick Mclernon (MTS) / Photo Credit:*** ***Tristan Skell***

Although some technical issues arose—namely the mics dropping out—the crowd hardly noticed. Mikey’s raw vocal projection still cut through the room without a mic, a testament to the power behind his delivery. The setlist featured fan favourites like Behemoth (from their 2022 album Trinity) and closed with The Jericho’s Protocol, a self-titled love song released mid-last year. And of course, what’s a show without an unreleased track? They delivered a brutal new song called Assassination Run, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, everyone’s itching for a release date.

As the lights dimmed and the energy shifted, Justice for the Damned took the stage. Formed in Sydney back in 2011, the band is known for their crushing sound and emotionally driven lyrics. The lineup features vocalist Bobak Rafiee, guitarist/vocalist Nick Adams, drummer Chas Levi, and bassist Ben Mirfin.

With 2017’s Dragged Through the Dirt and 2020’s Pain Is Power, they’ve cemented themselves as one of Australia’s most intense and lyrically raw metalcore acts. The band played tracks from Pain Is Power, including The House You Built Is Burning, which they dedicated to victims of domestic violence—highlighting their ability to bring real-world pain into focus through music. They also debuted Stay Relentless, the title track from their upcoming album due out in August, alongside an unreleased track from the same record. If that performance is anything to go by, this next chapter for Justice for the Damned is shaping up to be huge.

***Alex Reade (MTS) / Photo Credit:*** ***Tristan Skell***

Finally, the moment the crowd had been waiting for—Make Them Suffer took the stage and wasted no time, diving into their intro and leading into Epitaph, off their self-titled album Make Them Suffer, released in November last year. The current lineup features frontman Sean Harmanis, keyboardist and co-vocalist Alex Reade (absolutely killing it with her keytar), guitarist Nick Mclernon, drummer Jordan Mather, and bassist Jaya Amurao. Since their 2012 debut Neverbloom, Make Them Suffer have consistently evolved, blending progressive songwriting with their signature intensity. While showcasing new tracks, they also took it back to 2020’s How to Survive a Funeral, with crowd-pleasers like Bones and Erase Me making appearances. Sean paused to reflect on how far the band has come, reminiscing about playing the same venue seven years ago and how much they’ve grown since.

***Jack Bergin & I (Void Of Vision) / Photo Credit:*** ***Tristan Skell***

As I stood to the side of the stage, I spotted someone familiar—Jack Bergin of Void of Vision, there to support his mates. Having reviewed their final tour back in February, it was great to catch up with him again before their last show on July 5th.

But this night was all about Make Them Suffer. With their constantly shifting dynamics and commitment to sonic excellence, they proved once again why they’re one of Australia’s most exciting heavy acts.

All in all, the night was a celebration of progressive metalcore, hometown pride, and musical innovation. The venue may not have been massive, but District 14 felt like it was bursting at the seams with energy. Every band brought something unique to the table, from the blackened atmosphere of RUN, to the conceptual weight of The Gloom in the Corner, to the raw emotion of Justice for the Damned, and the polished chaos of Make Them Suffer.

Be sure to keep your eyes on all four acts—there’s no doubt there’s even more greatness to come.