MAKE: zweite Single vom neuen Sludge Metal Album „Exegesis At The End Of Time“ aus North Carolina – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
North Carolina – The sludge metal band MAKE has released a new video for the track “The Judge,” marking the second single from its forthcoming album. The release signals the group’s return after a ten-year absence from new recordings. Fans can also stream the album opener “The End of the Night” ahead of the full project.
A Decade Away from the Studio
MAKE formed in North Carolina and built a reputation for dense, slow-moving sludge metal across three earlier albums. The new record, titled “Exegesis at the End of Time,” will arrive on June 12 via Accident Prone Records. It marks the first collection of original material since the band’s last release in 2016.
During the long break, members focused on other projects while the core sound remained intact. The upcoming album reunites the same lineup that shaped the group’s earlier work. Listeners familiar with MAKE’s catalog will recognize the heavy riffs and layered vocals that define its style.
The Story Behind “The Judge”
Guitarist and singer Scott Endres explained that the song draws partial inspiration from the “Beresinalied,” a historical poem that also influenced Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s novel “Journey to the End of the Night.” Endres noted the track explores the feeling of reaching the close of a difficult period only to realize the next day brings more of the same.
Bassist and vocalist Spencer Lee added that the lyrics reflect a growing sense of repetition in daily life. He pointed to broader social pressures that force people to sell their labor simply to survive. The band presents these ideas through its signature heavy, deliberate pacing rather than direct protest.
Production and Visual Approach
Engineer Kris Hilbert handled recording and mixing duties for the album. Mastering was completed by Brad Boatright, whose work appears on many prominent metal releases. Scott Endres created the cover artwork himself, continuing the band’s tradition of hands-on visual contributions.
The video for “The Judge” pairs the track with imagery that matches its brooding atmosphere. A separate visualizer for “The End of the Night” is also available online. Both pieces give listeners an early sense of the record’s overall mood before its official release.
Complete Tracklist and Band Lineup
The album contains six tracks that move from atmospheric openers to more intense closing pieces. The full sequence is as follows:
- The End of the Night
- The Judge
- Forking Paths
- Chimera
- The Spectacle
- The Augur
MAKE’s current lineup features four longtime collaborators who share vocal and instrumental duties. Scott Endres handles guitar and vocals, Spencer Lee contributes bass, guitar, and vocals, Aaron Smithers plays bass, synth, and vocals, and John Crouch rounds out the group on drums. This configuration has remained stable since the band’s earlier recordings.
What the Return Means for Sludge Metal
MAKE’s reappearance arrives at a moment when many listeners seek heavier, more introspective music. The band’s focus on existential themes and slow, crushing riffs continues to distinguish it within the genre. Early previews suggest the new material builds directly on the strengths of its previous work while adding fresh lyrical depth.
With the June release date approaching, the two singles offer a clear preview of the album’s direction. Listeners can expect the same weight and atmosphere that first drew attention to the group more than a decade ago. The project stands as a measured continuation rather than a reinvention.
