Album Review: The Suicide Machines, No More Self-Doubt [EP]

Release: No More Self-Doubt [EP]
Band: The Suicide Machines
Label: Sbam Records
Year: 2026
Score: 8/10

Bandcamp

Sbam Records

review by Ricky Frankel

In 2022 The Suicide Machines released their fantastic split with Japan’s Coquettish called ‘Gebo Gomi.’ In my opinion, it was very overlooked and deserved a lot more praise and attention that it got when it originally was released. Four years later, The Suicide Machines are back with a three-track EP called ‘No More Self-Doubt.’

Interestingly, ‘No More Self-Doubt’ is a small sampler of sorts that shows how accomplished the band is when it comes to their takes on skacore (obviously), hardcore punk, and melodic punk. The Suicide Machines start out this EP with their ska-heavy track, “Never Go Quietly.” The song switches back and forth between a slower ska sound during the verses and faster and more distorted guitars intricate bass fills during the choruses. It is classic Suicide Machines sound mixed with very introspective lyrics like, “I will never go quietly/Destroying my own enemy/Which has become me.” The track “Thank You” really comes at you from the opposite end of the band’s sonic spectrum. This tune is The Suicide Machines doing hardcore at their best. It’s crunchy and slow at the beginning and then it blasts into mayhem with the drums and guitar blaring, along with some of Jay Navarro’s best screaming to date. The third track, “Pragmatic Blue,” is where the band takes a much more melodic punk route. The heavy palming-muting from the guitar and slick bass fills mix together amazingly well with the very anthemic gang vocals from the band. All of this makes for “Pragmatic Blue” truly being the stand out track of the release.

Thirty-five years since their formation, The Suicide Machines are still releasing music that absolutely rocks. They have managed to master ska punk, hardcore, and melodic punk, and always seem to keep it fresh and true to their style. Anytime the band announces a new release it always makes it high on my “most anticipated releases” list. And especially since 2020’s ‘Revolution Spring,’ they haven’t had a miss. ‘No More Self-Doubt’ continues that trend.

—