Architects - Nightmares (2006)^{Release ID: 3210}

Pretty much every popular band has to have at least one album that's overlooked. The album can often be a band's debut. Architects' Nightmares is a different beast than their later works, showcasing more of a technical metal/mathcore with time signature-changing riff insanity. Even at their most humble of beginnings, they can sound fresh and talented. While I can't deny how similar they are to some bands, they can pull it off without ripping it off, and they have some great chaotic stuff on their plate...

These Architects of metal and hardcore were around 18 when they made their debut. They must've listened to a lot of TDEP and Botch for their heavier sections while also blending them with different melodies. All this would please longtime fans who would then check out their new material and wonder "What the f*** happened?!"

Opening track "To the Death" starts this technicality-filled rollercoaster ride without losing any steam. Dan Searle's drumming pummels through alongside the riffing. The audible bass gives the guitarwork some boost. Next track, "You Don't Walk Away From Dismemberment" is a perfect riff-tastic highlight. Mathcore fans will have something worth smiling at in "Minesweeper".

We start to hear some clean singing "They’ll Be Hanging Us Tonight", which is fine when then-vocalist Matt Johnson does it, but Sam Carter does it better. Another standout track is "This Confession Means Nothing". It has a nice pleasant calm buildup before having some chaos in the second half.

"In the Desert" has some awesome guitar melodies, making this track not just the best highlight of the album, but one of the best ever by this band! "A Portrait for the Deceased" has some riffing harmonies that is practically a metalcore guitar fan's wet dream. The closing highlight "The Darkest Tomb" ends it all in metalcore wonder. Melodic epicness covers the riff tapping that fiddles through a final breakdown.

All in all, Nightmares is a great start to a phenomenal band. This half-hour 8-track offering shall be worth your time. They didn't have to as deathly as Bring Me the Horizon at that time nor as ultra-melodic as Bullet for My Valentine. It's all just technical metal/mathcore, recommended for those wanting chaos in their lives....

Favorites: "You Don't Walk Away From Dismemberment", "This Confession Means Nothing", "In the Desert", "The Darkest Tomb"