British metalcore band Architects just put out their tenth album last week, and it is quite a ride. the classic symptoms of a broken spirit is a very different sound for them, and unsurprisingly, it's been quite controversial for the metal community. It's mostly the people who only like heavy stuff hating them for "becoming softer", and I think it's a bit shortsighted to say that.
For a band that has literally made hundreds of songs spanning ten albums, going from pure mathcore into metalcore and now this brand of hard rock, not only do I think it's inevitable, but I think it's great too. As a band, they've written so many tracks with a focus on technicality and intensity, and it'd be kind of bland to keep on doing so. Some simplicity every now and then should be welcome, provided it's done right. Also, I think it doesn't need to be said that bands need to evolve, their sound can't stay the same over a period of 16 years. For Architects, they've managed to develop their sound over the years so that every record delivers something different, and the classic symptoms of a broken spirit does exactly that. I'm more excited for this record than if it was a carbon copy of All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us.
I enjoy the classic symptoms of a broken spirit, I'll say it right now. It's a solid hard rock album, it has its moments and is overall a great listen. You're going to be disappointed if you expect a Holy Hell or Lost Forever // Lost Together sound, because it simply isn't. They did a great job putting together a fun, unique and angry sound in this new record, and I especially appreciate that it is so distinct in that way.
Architects went for a simpler route in technicality, the riffs aren't complex, the drums aren't either. Sure, it may not be as exciting to play, but I think it was necessary. With simpler riffs and drumming, it opened up the musical space for them to do more with electronics and production, which, whether you like it or not, is at the core of this record. They painted their soundscape with a completely different set of tools, one which is arguably more intricate, and I found it really cool.
They are still as angry as they have been, but it feels like they found the space in this record to explore a lot of other sounds. They tried out quite a few new sounds, like in burn down my house, a new moral low ground and be very afraid. It's cool to see them experimenting and making really cool and interesting soundscapes, songs that would never even come close to being written from their metalcore era.
Of course, every record comes with its flaws. I'm not trying to glorify this record, I just hate that a portion of their fanbase is hating on them so ruthlessly just because they aren't making heavy metalcore with breakdowns all the time. There are some lyrics on this album that, even with accepting that they're going for a simpler route, feel too cheap. I've always loved Architects in part because of their lyrical capacity and meaningful writing, but there are some moments where it feels like they were just filling up the time. There's also one really minor gripe with the vocal melodies, the chorus of spit the bone and burn down my house sound kind of similar. It was a bit weird hearing it for the first time.
There are some really catchy verses and choruses on this record. Some of my personal favourites are doomscrolling, when we were young and all the love in the world. They also have some great standout moments, like the solo in a new moral low ground (can you believe it, an Architects guitar solo?), the breakdown on born again pessimist, and the filthy lows on be very afraid.
All in all, it's a super refreshing and, dare I say, fun record from Architects. It's not a surprising direction for them to head towards coming off of For Those That Wish To Exist, and it's a well written record from a great band. I have no doubt with Architects that they take great pride in the music they create and wouldn't put out anything that's subpar or unimpressive to them, and this album is neither of those things.
Rating: 9/10