It has been a relentless two years for Architects. They have seen a near constant touring cycle
featuring massive shows with Metallica, and top billing at festival stages across Europe,including a headlining set at Bloodstock festival. And if that wasn’t enough, in December 2023
they dropped Seeing Red, the first single on the much anticipated The Sky, The Earth & All Between. Over a year, and three more singles (Curse, Whiplash, and the most recent,Blackhole) later, the full album has finally dropped.
Since the tragic loss of founding member and guitarist Tom Searle in 2016, the burden of writing has fallen squarely on to the shoulders of his twin brother Dan Searle (Drums) and lead singer Sam Carter. That shift has seen Architects evolve from one of metalcore’s finest up and comers to one of rock and metal’s premier acts. For The Sky, the Earth & All Between, the band have added the creative force that is Jordan Fish (Bring Me The Horizon, Poppy) to the fold to produce and assist with the writing process. Fish’s influence has clearly taken hold
and this new album see’s the band expanding their sound again, with a clear focus on raw intensity, emotional depth and anthemic choruses.
We get all of this on Elegy the spiteful and venomous opener. This band has never been short on confidence and Carter especially has never been one to hide his feelings or opinions. His gradual shift from out and out brutal screamer to accomplished singer has not gone unnoticed and he is not the only high profile frontman to make that change in recent years. It cannot be a coincidence that Oliver Sykes‘ and BMTH’s shift coincided with Fish’s arrival to the band in 2015.What is increasingly noticeable is the dramatic move towards a mainstream, bordering on pop structures, with only one song on the new album boasting a track length beyond four minutes.
We get a barrelful of rage with both Whiplash and Seeing Red. Carter is in fine voice and his screams are piercing and vengeful. With Fish behind the boards there is now a real refinement to the hooks, and it’s incredibly easy to picture a heaving crowd screaming along to both songs.
Much the same can be said for Blackhole. In this instance though, it is modern heavy music at its absolute finest. And who doesn’t love a cheesy guitar solo thrown in for good measure before a crushing breakdown?!
There is so much to love on this album for long term fans of the band. The fiery swagger of Curse, which see’s Searle at his commanding best, driving his troops forward with great aplomb. He reminds us that a band is only as good as their drummer. And he has, and will always be a commanding presence behind the kit. It was once written that, ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ and it is clear Architects have taken a leaf from those that have come before. An homage to Chino Moreno and Deftones on Evil Eyes is a highlight of the album.Carter’s high octane screams and breathless vocals are a fitting tribute, whilst the band stillremind their fans what brought them to the dance in the first place.
What may trigger some overly sensitive so-called fans, is Everything Ends. It is very easy to imagine that this song was found on the cutting room floor of some long lost Linkin Park or (perhaps controversially) Nickelback session. Nostalgia dictates that one almost wishes it was Chester Bennington’s voice we hear soaring over the track. This comparison is not meant to
detract from the job Carter does, his vocals are immense, powerful and impressive. By contrast Landmines is one for the new world fans, a big, high powered rock song that would not be out of place on a Radio 1 playlist. Much the same can be said for Judgement Day, a stomping, catchy track which sees a guest starring role for Amira Elfeky, whose vocal lines sit comfortably
amongst the electronica heavy rhythms.
Chandelier, brings The Sky, The Earth & Everything In Between to a dramatic, epic close. The final track is the longest on the album and it’s another example of how far Architects have come. They may not have pushed the boat out as far as Bring Me The Horizon have gone, in terms of fully embracing the popular music landscape, but they have clearly evolved into compelling and masterful songwriters to go along with their already stellar reputation as a live act. This writer for
one finds it truly astonishing that Sleep Token will headline the mainstage of Download Festival this year before Architects. With the rest of The Sky, The Earth & All Between ready to add to
their already formidable setlist, one can only hope they don’t have to wait much longer for the honour of a headline appearance at the UK’s largest rock/ metal festival.
A band’s decision to evolve their sound should be applauded at all cost. They are not always going to get it right, and there are going to be vocal and opinionated detractors. This was by no means a perfect album, but it is one of immense quality and musicianship. They may have been caught between the sky and the earth at times but the direction is undoubtedly up heading into 2025 and beyond.
The Sky, The Earth & All Between is out now via Epitaph Records
