Review Summary: A very good start to 2009.
“Hollow Crown is about how people and bands somehow get such a big ego and such a big attitude problem for things they think they’ve done and they really haven’t” explains Ali.
“It’s basically being arrogant for no reason and getting big headed about shit you haven’t earned.”
One could easily apply the statement made by bassist Ali Dino to numerous bands that undeservingly got big but it is pointless to waste an introductory paragraph regurgitating rants about how saturated the current scene metal is. Simply put, Architects is a beacon of light amongst a sea of generic –core bands, a shining gem worthy of holding the title as the UK’s upcoming metal band. This Brighton-based band composed of five young boys has come a long way from the debut album,
Nightmares, released only 2 years ago when the members were barely 18, evolving from a Botch/Dillinger ‘over-the-top’ sound to a more refined and neater style; a similar path followed by Bring Me The Horizon but not executed as well.
Upon first listen,
Hollow Crown is a surprise as it’s different from
Ruin and more in the vein of metallic hardcore showcased on Architects split EP with Dead Swans. The reason why the metalcore term isn’t used is because this album is very hardcore-oriented compared to their previous offerings with an array of refreshingly different influences. Underoath comes to mind when hearing the dissonant post-hardcore-like riffs displayed in “Follow The Water”, “Left With A Last Minute” sounds like a tribute song to Comeback Kid and the atmospheric closing track is reminiscent of Thrice. Those are the lighter tracks but when the band wants to hit hard, it’s a kick in the crotch listening to the angry hardcore-fuelled tracks like “Numbers Count For Nothing”, “Borrowed Time” and “One of These Days” with Dan, the drummer, playing calculatingly added blast-beats and lighting speed fills.
Technicality has always been a fundamental aspect of Architects but this time they opted for a more straight-forward style which might upset the
Nightmares-era fans that drool over awkward time signatures and chromatic riffs (“Dethroned” interestingly combines some elements of
Nightmares with the new sound). That said, the album does have subtle SikTh influences, Meshuggah-like patterns/tunings, unexpected hysterical Dillinger Escape Plan passages and dissonant riffs akin to Converge. Fortunately, the slightly increased breakdowns aren’t generic calls for pathetic hardcore dancing and instead provide in-your-face groove slam moments which should be a treat for the moshers.
Sam’s vocal delivery has improved a lot since
Ruin and he leads each song with desperate borderline-hysterical yells which just make you want to scream-your-guts-out as well on the chaotic frenzy that is “We’re All Alone” or the perilous “Dead March”. What is his source of inspiration for the relentless aggression?
“[...] shitty friends and people with big egos that get loads of glory without having worked for it or earned it.” His newly found level of confidence as a vocalist is clearly displayed in the increased abundance of emotionally-fuelled clean vocals such as the breath-taking singing in “Every Last Breath” or the anthemic ending of “Follow The Water”.
Hollow Crown is not a perfect album but it is one hell of a successor to
Ruin. The transitions are more fluid, the songs are more memorable and the overall flow of the record is consistently dynamic and solid with no unnecessary filler tracks to spoil it. I would have to nitpick to find a con that bothers me but I know for certain that the increase of clean vocals and the tech regression will bother certain listeners. Nevertheless, anyone who enjoys –core or even just a bit of it should definitely check this out. I would recommend those who are slightly interested to listen to “Early Grave” as it encompasses all the aspects of
Hollow Crown into a 3 minute frenzy of vicious screams, spectacular gang shouts, heavier-than-heavy detuned guitar riffs, and a sing-along complemented by Tom’s familiar melodic tapping eventually leading to a final savage breakdown.
Final Rating : 87%
