When it comes to brutal riffs, face-melting breakdowns, and mosh pits that could crack the floor beneath you, Suicide Silence stands as one of the undisputed kings of the deathcore genre. Formed in Riverside, California, in 2002, these guys took the underground metal scene by storm with their savage blend of death metal and hardcore.
Let’s not forget they won Best New Talent at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in 2009. Not bad, right?
Current Band Lineup
The current lineup of Suicide Silence represents a mix of long-standing and new blood, keeping the band’s legacy alive while constantly pushing its sound forward:
- Chris Garza – Rhythm guitar (2002-present)
- Mark Heylmun – Lead guitar (2005-present)
- Dan Kenny – Bass (2008-present)
- Hernan “Eddie” Hermida – Lead vocals (2013-present)
- Ernie Iniguez – Drums (2022-present)
Notable Former Members:
- Mitch Lucker – Lead vocals (2002-2012)
Mitch was the original vocalist known for his raw and powerful stage presence. Tragically, he passed away in 2012 due to a motorcycle accident, leaving an unfillable void in the band and the metal community. - Alex Lopez – Drums (2006-2022)
Lopez was with the band through some of its most transformative years. His aggressive drumming style helped solidify Suicide Silence’s rhythm section.
Suicide Silence T-Shirts
If you’re a die-hard Suicide Silence fan, these exclusive t-shirts are a perfect way to make your love for the band loud and proud. Each design captures the dark, intense energy that defines their music, from twisted, abyssal imagery to a fierce skeleton warrior to ravens and skulls. Whether you’re moshing to their brutal breakdowns or simply repping your favourite deathcore legends, these shirts are a must-have for any fan ready to embrace the chaos.
The Evolution of Their Sound
Since its inception, Suicide Silence has been synonymous with deathcore—a genre that combines the speed and brutality of death metal with the aggression of hardcore punk. But if you look at their discography, you’ll see they’re not ones to sit comfortably in one style.
- Early albums like The Cleansing (2007) and No Time to Bleed (2009) solidified their reputation. With lightning-fast blast beats, crushing breakdowns, and Mitch Lucker’s guttural screams, they delivered the deathcore template that would influence a generation of bands.
- The Black Crown (2011) was a bit of a sonic evolution. Here, Suicide Silence began flirting with groove metal elements (think less “speed” and more “thick, sludgy riffs”). This album had a bit more focus on song structure, but don’t worry, it was still punishingly heavy.
- Then came their self-titled album in 2017. Now, this was controversial. Produced by Ross Robinson (who worked with Korn and Slipknot), the band introduced clean vocals and nu-metal influences. Die-hard fans? Not thrilled. Risks are what keeps the music fresh, right?
- Most recently, Become the Hunter (2020) saw them returning to their deathcore roots with a more refined approach. Some experimental vibes are still in the mix, but it’s a heavier, more aggressive sound than the self-titled release.
Mitch Lucker’s Influence and the Aftermath
No conversation about Suicide Silence is complete without talking about Mitch Lucker. He wasn’t just the frontman; he was the heart and soul of the band. Mitch’s aggressive yet charismatic stage presence defined their live performances, and his death in 2012 was a devastating blow to both the band and their fans.
Lucker’s personal life, especially becoming a father in 2007, had a major impact on his later lyrics. Themes shifted from nihilistic rage to more personal, introspective material. The song “You Only Live Once” from The Black Crown is often seen as his most iconic contribution—blending intensity with a more hook-driven sound.
After Lucker’s passing, Suicide Silence held a benefit show in his honour, with guest vocalists Phil Bozeman from Whitechapel and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God.
In 2013, Eddie Hermida (formerly of All Shall Perish) stepped in as lead vocalist, and the band kept pushing forward. Hermida brought his flavour to the group, allowing them to continue evolving while paying homage to Lucker’s legacy.
Controversies and Risks
It’s no secret that the band’s 2017 self-titled album caused quite a stir. Fans and critics were sharply divided over introducing clean vocals and a more nu-metal-inspired sound. Eddie Hermida’s vocal versatility was both praised and criticized—some loved the dynamic range, while others felt it strayed too far from the band’s brutal roots.
But it wasn’t just the sound that caused controversy. Lyrical content in some of their earlier albums, especially The Cleansing, faced backlash for glorifying violence. However, the band has always maintained that their lyrics are an artistic expression that conveys raw emotion rather than a literal call to arms.
Most Popular Songs and Albums
Best-Selling Albums:
- The Cleansing (2007)
Their debut full-length album remains their top-selling record. It’s raw and angry, packed with crowd favourites like “Unanswered” and “Bludgeoned to Death.” - No Time to Bleed (2009)
A follow-up that built on the brutality of The Cleansing, with songs like “Disengage” and “Lifted” becoming staples in their live sets. - The Black Crown (2011)
Known for hits like “You Only Live Once,” it helped push them into the mainstream metal spotlight while maintaining their deathcore edge.
Most Popular Suicide Silence Songs
You Only Live Once 2011
Unanswered 2007
No Pity for a Coward 2014
Disengage 2010
Bludgeoned to Death 2007
Influences and Style
Suicide Silence draws from various musical influences, from classic death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse and Death to nu-metal pioneers like Slipknot and Korn. There’s a nice push-and-pull in the band’s songwriting process, too, with some members like Garza favouring nu-metal grooves while others, like Dan Kenny, lean heavily into traditional death metal. This blending of styles has kept their sound fresh and unpredictable over the years.
The Future of Suicide Silence
Even after two decades, Suicide Silence remains a driving force in the world of extreme metal. Whether they’re experimenting with their sound, as seen in their self-titled album, or returning to the deathcore carnage of their early years, they’re not afraid to push boundaries. Love ’em or hate ’em, you’ve got to respect their willingness to take risks.
We can only wait and see what new brutal madness they’ve got cooking up. But one thing’s for sure: Suicide Silence isn’t going anywhere.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Silence
https://metalstorm.net/bands/band.php?band_id=4354
https://loudwire.com/best-suicide-silence-songs/
https://wknc.org/2020/08/08/album-of-the-week-suicide-silence-the-cleansing/
https://www.hysteriamag.com/suicide-silence-band-thousand-faces/
