American deathcore band Suicide Silence will return to Australia in September for a national tour.
This will be their first tour of Australia since they where on the Soundwave bill in 2014. It's also the first Australian dates since the band released 'You Can’t Stop Me', a song the late Mitch Lucker (the group's original lead singer) wrote (it was also the title track of the band's 2014 album).
For most, the passing of a band member would end that band. But according to Suicide Silence's Mark Heylmun this was not the case. “[Mitch's passing] brought us closer together; even though we had nothing to prove to other bands and people. We wanted to prove to ourselves that we could do it. We wanted to make ourselves better, show that we still had what it takes,” Mark says.
“It was the most important thing for Suicide Silence to continue. It would have been sad for the band to finish in tragedy [as well as] loosing a friend and the opportunity that it turned into, which is: you're in a situation and your singer just died. Do you let the band die or do you create what that band is [now] going to be?
“So, going out and touring with Soundwave [in 2014] was a huge step. We planned it and had to make sure that Eddie’s debut [singer Hernan Hermida] was on the biggest, travelling music festival in the world. We wanted him to continue on and two years later [we're] coming back; and knowing what we have been through, it basically means everything to us – to get a new singer, jump back on the horse and go shred and make people stoked; ‘cause that is what we are here to do.
“People need music and they need heavy music. People need their outlet. This is our outlet and it means everything to us. We love Australia and it is like a second home to us.”
Suicide Silence love Australia so much they are always thinking about their next tour down under. “It’s great to be able to play the small club gigs,” Mark says. “Some fans see us for the first time at festivals and come to see us again at these smaller gigs, which are more special and more about us. At the same time there are those who have seen us in these smaller gigs and want to see us at festivals, so it is a win-win for us.”
The band have announced they're starting work on a new album this year. This will be their fifth studio album and second with singer Hernan 'Eddie' Hermida. “As sad as the passing of Mitch was, it was something that forced us to become a better band,” Mark says.
“It made us want to keep going and be the best. We wanted to prove that we could thrash it out harder. Make better albums and perform better shows. We are able to look back on it and know that what Mitch brought to the band wasn’t something to be pushed aside. We can’t say that what Eddie has brought to the band is anything less. Both have, in their own way, helped make Suicide Silence what it is today.”
Written by Jamie McNicol
Suicide Silence Tour Dates
Sat 3 Sep - Woolly Mammoth (Brisbane)Sun 4 Sep - Manning Bar (Sydney)
Tue 6 Sep - The Cambridge (Newcastle)
Wed 7 Sep - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
Thu 8 Sep - Fowlers Live (Adelaide)
Fri 9 Sep - Amplifier (Perth)
