Two months into the new year, and U.K. metal group, Architects, looks to establish their candidacy for album of the year.
In October of last year, they dropped their first single for this album ‘Animals’ and I will admit upon first hearing, I was suspect of what direction this new album was going to take. It was not the heaviness I was anticipating. Their following single ‘Black Lungs’ provided the counter balance to that sound I was longing for, and had me saying, “ this …… is Architects”
They proceeded to release two more singles ‘Dead Butterflies’ and ‘Meteor’, that kind of threw a red flag to me. A lot of times when an artist releases too many singles, they fear fans are already going to dislike the album. So like a clingy boyfriend or girlfriend, they smother you with gifts, hoping you will love it.
This was not the case.
For Those That Wish To Exist is the sequel to Holy Hell, but also marks a new beginning for Architects. Songs such as ‘Giving Blood’ and ‘Little Wonder’ showcase the power of lyric writing that his band has. “We all say that we wanna be saved, but it's easier to follow” and “I never said that I was giving blood for the unbelievers, bleeding out like a devil in disguise” leave an imprint on your mind the more you listen, leading you more into the journey of this album.
And for the fans who are craving breakdowns and riffs, ‘Impermanence’ and ‘Goliath’ caters to your needs, and also include guest features from Winston McCall of Parkway Drive and Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro.
This is Architects breakout album. But fans do not be afraid! Like other artists who have before, this is not so much a change in music but an evolution of who they are. Architects continue to set a standard in lyricism, riff/music writing, and this is probably the most well mixed album to date.
You will want to exist for this album.