Review Summary: The song writing scope, technical proficiency and impassioned delivery come together to create a record that is able to satisfy on all necessary levels.
Architect’s rise to fame has steadily but surely been gaining momentum in recent months, with a string of U.S tours and festival dates seeing the bands popularity soar in amongst the young metal/hardcore crowd. The release of 2009’s ‘Hollow Crown’, the groups third full length effort, has also done much to establish Architects as one of the more talented and exciting acts working in the scene, with the album cementing a style that is both at times blatantly accessible and utterly punishing.
One aspect of the band that works in their favour is that they for the most part forego the cliché elements that has made so much metal stale and tired today. Although it is true breakdowns and the such are implemented on ‘Hollow Crown’, they are approached in such an inventive manner that they tend not to sound hackneyed or contrived, such as the closing section to ‘Numbers Count for Nothing’, which switches from pummelling chugs to moody chord driven sequences and back again, allowing the single note rhythmic attack to streamline its effect and not become just another overlong beat down section segment.
Indeed, while some may argue that Architects are just another by numbers metalcore act, this release is full of inspirational moments of musical ingenuity that really do set them apart. The absolutely mammoth groove fifty seconds into the aforementioned ‘Numbers Count For Nothing’ (incidentally my favourite riff of the year), the sublime crescendo that finishes ’Follow The Water’ and the soaring chorus of ’In Elegance’ all point to a outfit that have enough musical muscle to create both a colossal hook and a riff that packs a weighty punch. The synth led title track re-enforces the fact that the band are comfortable branching out of the metalcore comfort zone, and capable of creating some beautiful music whilst doing it.
Vocalist Sam Carter really comes into his own on this record. His harsh vocals retain a furious passion and sincerity, especially in the vicious opener ‘Early Grave’, where Carters delivery is unreservedly rabid. Yet aside from this, he also implements some cleans that are very impressive, as he displays a wide range and a sometimes gritty tonality that is refreshingly free of the high pitched whine that so many bands suffer from nowadays.
‘Hollow Crown’ is an impressive album from such a young band. The song writing scope, technical proficiency and impassioned delivery come together to create a record that is able to satisfy on all necessary levels, and it is clearly apparent that Architects are a band full of ideas and creativity, boding well for future releases. Topping ’Hollow Crown’ will be no easy feat, but Architects certainly have all the tools necessary to do so.
