Architects - 'the classic symptoms of a broken spirit' - Album Review

It has been less then two years, and we are about to end 2022 just like we started 2021, with a beautiful yet extremely divisive new Architects record. For Those That Wish To Exist was just the beginning of a fresh chapter in the Brighton quintet's career, one that saw them overcome past traumas and found new purpose, with The classic symptoms of a broken spirit its righteous successor. As unexpected in its quick release as logical in its sound and structure, the album is yet another proof of the band's legacy and stature.

Despite the unexplainable fact that a large portion of Architects' fanbase would have expected them to re-do past records and relive the past, this was never going to be the case. Out of nowhere, they dropped the first three promo singles 'when we were young', 'tear gas' and 'deep fake', and it was clear the guys have not taken a breather since FTTWTE's global success. Pushing those ideas, composition and production even further into the unknown, a second chapter was being written and set for yet another grand premiere.

Like any outstanding modern metal album that steals the spotlight and causes a riot of equally powerful exhilaration and hatred, TCSOABS cannot be contained within a straightforward stylistic framework. The album is hardly genre-defying, but you can easily call parts of it alt metal, metalcore, stadium rock, newcore, etc, further expanding with pop structures, nu metal grooves, industrial vibes, subtle electronics, and anthemic choruses for a truly diverse experience. And if there was ever a band to pull this off so masterfuly, cohesively and purposefully, it is undoubtedly these reborn, post-2020 Architects.

Embracing the creative freedom displayed in FTTWTE and pushing in to the next level, Architects don't seem to be slowing down. A powerhouse of the metalcore scene for more than 15 years, with the premiere of their tenth album easily making them one of the most prolific band in the UK, there is nothing left to prove. Dan Searle and Josh Middleton join forces in writing and producing an exemplary modern metal effort, with Sam Carter reaching new highs yet again. Backed by the ever so tight Alex Dean and Adam Christianson, and mixed by the legend Zakk Cervini, TCSOABS is Architects maintainig their stellar form.

Although described by Searle as "playful and spontaneous", the record is also ominous and reflective. Architects have always been an example for making conceptual albums that stay firm together without the unnecessary fluff and dilluted storytelling. A logical continuation of the musical and lyrical themes explored in FTTWTE, TCSOABS is a step further into those new utopian territories of bleak realities and uncertain futures, or “how much our collective trauma from hundreds of thousands of years of death, loss and destruction impacts our behaviour, our selfishness and our inability to look two feet beyond our own nose”.

Despite its innate darkness, TCSOABS is weirdly hopeful and upbeat. It is chuggy and bouncy, a stampede against everything it "should have been" and boldly infuriatung the "I miss the old Architects" crowd. Haters gonna hate, more so here than even before, but in my book this means you are soing something right and meaningful. Without any hesitations and restraints, these imaginative guys truly are the architects of their own presence and future, a joy to witness and take part of for those of us that wish to exists alongside. As you get in the right wavelenght with the groovy 'deep fake' and industrial 'tear gas', the rest is a theme ride of fragile existences and questionable futures. The similarities with FTTWTE are many, with TCSOABS pushing deeper into alternative, synth-driven and rocky territories. Those of us who enjoyed the stompy and anthemic nature of 'Animals' and 'Black Lungs' have a lot to unpack here in the face of new stadium ragers 'living is killing us', 'born again pessimist' and 'all the love in the world'. For fans of the more energetic and vibey 'Little Wonder', there are 'spit the bone' (aka 'The Return of the Blegh') and 'doomscrolling'. There are also the melancholic and slow-paced 'burn down my house' and the dystopian fury and lyrical mastery of 'a new moral low ground'. Going back to the roots, you have to give it to 'when we were young' for starting the whole cycle with such flair, destined to eventually become a generational anthem. And then there is the wildcard 'be very afraid', the surprising final piece of the puzzle and a great way to finish the record with an exciting cliffhanger, subtly nodding to the past whilst fully embracing the future.

Those who have grown overly attached to the ‘Lost Forever//Lost Together’, ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’, and ‘Holy Hell’ era need to realise they are obsessing with a dark and traumatic period that, musical masterpieces aside, reflected a particularly painful part in the band's career. And while their loss will never be forgotten and respects will be paid in the future, it is also time for the wounds to start healing and for the band to move forward.:

“We’ve got a good atmosphere and we’re celebrating Tom rather than being too downbeat. He’ll always be there as part of the band, but this one is more exciting. [...] You never forget what happened, but you learn from it.” - Sam Carter

I cannot say that TCSOABS is flawless for certain parts can be bolder and pushed even further into the creative unknown. However, it is a joy to experience and sets up an unpredictable sequel that is likely to follow up this direction. When and how this new era's grand finale will come is unclear, but you can be sure it will be a blast. After all, we are talking about one of the most prolific and influential UK bands in the last few decades that somehow sound like they are just getting started.

Architects - 'the classic symptoms of a broken spirit'

Country: England, UK

Released: 21 October 2022

Label: Epitaph Records

Tracklisting:

1. 'deep fake'

2. 'tear gas'

3. 'spit the bone'

4. 'burn down my house'

5. 'living is killing us'

6. 'when we were young'

7. 'doomscrolling'

8. 'born again pessimist'

9. 'a new moral low ground'

10. 'all the love in the world'

11. 'be very afraid'