Following the release of the EP Back to the Known (1985), Bad Religion went on a temporary hiatus, then reunited with its original members (except drummer Jay Ziskrout) and went to work on their first full-length studio album in five years.

[9][10][11] A plethora of third-wave punk bands cite Suffer as a major inspiration, including NOFX's Fat Mike, who called it "the record that changed everything.

[14] After experiencing line-up changes and releasing their second album, Into the Unknown (1983), to commercial failure, Bad Religion and their label Epitaph Records called it quits.

[15] They released the Back to the Known (1985) EP, and after a year of constant touring, Gallegos left and was replaced by former Bad Religion member Jay Bentley, who had also played in Wasted Youth.

[16] Some months later, former Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, who was recovering from drug problems, filled in for Hetson during one show and eventually re-joined the band.

Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner played guitar on "Best for You"[21] and Jennifer Finch sang back-up vocals on "Part II (The Numbers Game)".

Author Dave Thompson, in his book Alternative Rock (2000), wrote: "Fast, furious, edgy, insightful lyrics about the state of the world... it all started here.

[17] The album also received acclaim by the following magazines: In a fan poll, "Do What You Want" was cited as one of the best Bad Religion songs of all time, along with "American Jesus" and "Along The Way."

The album cover features a drawing of a teenager on fire wearing a T-shirt with Bad Religion's crossbuster logo, designed by Jerry Mahoney, on the back.