ALBUM REVIEW: For Those That Wish To Exist – Architects

Since forming in 2004, the story of ARCHITECTS has been remarkable. Testament to their longevity and their knack for writing razor-sharp metalcore that has captured the hearts and minds of the alternative scene across the world, the band have grown into one of the juggernauts of heavy music today. But, it hasn’t been without its challenges. 2011’s The Here and Now threatened to undo their early strides thanks to a sound that polarised their fanbase at the time and the truly tragic passing of founding member Tom Searle in 2016 could have spelled the end just as they hit universal acclaim with the sublime All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us.

However, it was not the end. Through the greatest of adversities, ARCHITECTS rose like a phoenix rising from the sombre ashes and have forged a legacy that will surely make Tom Searle proud. 2018’s Holy Hell built on the success of AOGHAU and soared the band to new heights and now, three years later, comes For Those That Wish To Exist; the first album to not feature any involvement from their departed comrade.

They say by your third album, a band should know their sound after two previous outings allowing for growth and development. ARCHITECTS are three times that number and its utterly mind-boggling that this deep into their career, the band are pushing their sound to new and unexplored soundscapes whilst reinforcing the sonic foundations that got them this far. For Those That Wish To Exist is arguably the most accessible album ARCHITECTS have penned to date, but this is not just a shoehorned cop out to greater heights. Every lighter movement, every splash of electronic-focused experimentation and every surprise feels like a natural evolution to the blueprints of the core ARCHITECTS sound.

Dead Butterflies is a crooning, anthemic superstar thanks to a breath-taking vocal performance from Sam Carter, gorgeous splashes of orchestral strings and easily digestible musicianship from his bandmates resulting in a song that was just made to be played on the biggest of stages whilst An Ordinary Extinction fuses some punchy flashes of metallic riffs with a hefty dosage of synth-laden electronics that feels like an expansion to the first hints of this on Holy Hell and could easily sit within the dystopian futuristic world of Cyberpunk 2077. Little Wonder, featuring a slick guest spot from ROYAL BLOOD‘s Mike Kerr, is ARCHITECTS at their most accessible thanks to synth-pop chorus that is ready to soar on mainstream radio airwaves and introduce the band to new audiences.

Whilst this foray into lighter territory may spike fear in those that have followed the band since their tech-leaning-metalcore early days, ARCHITECTS still retain the core elements of their musical identity throughout the album. There’s still plenty of bite and metallic-driven power here, more than enough to easily squash the negative discourse seen on online social networks in response to the singles released thus far. Black Lungs‘ punchy riffing from guitarists Josh Middleton and Adam Christianson has enough bounce and thick grooves to get any head banging, Discourse Is Dead reverts back to a sound that would easily cement itself in the band’s records of days gone by and Impermanence is one of the heaviest songs on the record thanks to the earth-shattering breakdowns and a monolithic guest vocal blast from PARKWAY DRIVE‘s Winston McCall.

Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of the record though is that For Those That Wish To Exist is so much more than just a yin and yang approach. This is so much more than just offering electronic and lighter experimentation in one moment then reverting to the heavier moments the next. The record effectively fuses every myriad of the band’s influences into one cohesive body of work. Giving Blood is just one standout example of this fusion. Whirling synths interact with the hefty riffing and the chorus is utterly infectious; one in which will easily imprint itself on your memory. Similarly, Goliath benefits from the intricate riffs combining with the crooning vocal work from Carter and hearing BIFFY CLYRO‘s Simon Neil at his most deranged and manic is simply a treat. It’s moments like this that shows that ARCHITECTS‘ sonic development and expansion of their sound is not only incredibly organic and natural, but calculated, measured and executed with the utmost precision.

Lost Forever // Lost Together started ARCHITECTS‘ ascent to universal acclaim within heavy music, All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us continued the searing run of form and reflects the sheer brilliance of Tom Searle, whilst Holy Hell showcased a band coming back from the deepest of brinks. For Those That Wish To Exist is a brave new world for ARCHITECTS, a new chapter for a band who are releasing themselves from the shackles and embracing every nook and cranny of the musical spectrum. It’s a phenomenal effort and one which shows that there is still plenty of gas left in the tank. The future is here and ARCHITECTS stand on the precipice of becoming the one of the biggest bands on the planet. And boy, do they more than deserve it.

Rating: 9/10

For Those That Wish To Exist is set for release on February 26th via Epitaph Records. 

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