Make Them Suffer @ The Roxy (2/23/25)
This week, the Roxy hosted a sold-out performance featuring Like Moths to Flames and Make Them Suffer. The first opening act on the bill was the band Windwaker, which will sound familiar to those who frequent The Roxy because they played there with Northlane last summer. This past Sunday their performance was followed by the Swedish band Aviana, who I had not heard of before, but they did not disappoint. The entire band, except for the vocalist, wore masks, adding an air of mystery. They brought a 90's Nu-Metal twist to their performance. The crowd was already packed from the beginning, and it felt like the venue was at capacity even before the opener.
When Like Moths to Flames took the stage, the crowd quickly filled in any gaps. It’s always exciting to see fellow Ohio bands perform, and Like Moths to Flames, based in Columbus, delivered a fantastic show. The energy was appreciated, with the audience nearly rocking the floor and barricades behind us photographers. Their most recent album, “The Cycles of Trying to Cope,” released last spring, was the focal point of their set, alongside popular older tracks like “The Worst in Me.” This was one of my first times seeing Like Moths to Flames, and even with my camera in hand, I felt the urge to jump into the crowd.
The crescendo of the night was the Australian band Make Them Suffer taking the stage. The last time I saw them was at Jacobs Pavilion in the fall of 2023, so experiencing them in such a smaller venue was thrilling. The difference in capacity between the two venues is about tenfold. Similar to Like Moths to Flames, they also focused on their most recent self-titled album, while incorporating songs from older albums to create a balanced performance. Since discovering them, I have grown to love the supporting vocals of Alex Reade. The combination of her vocals with lead singer Sean Harmanis adds a unique twist to their metalcore sound.
The Cleveland scene has been getting the locals out and about these past few weeks. Even with our brutal winter, it has not stopped anyone from enjoying a music filled evening, before going to work the next morning.
Photos by Sami Butler
Like Moths To Flames
Make Them Suffer
