Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Architects - For Those That Wish to Exist (2021)
Fancy tea parties wouldn't be for Sam Carter if he keeps making rude noises like he's disgusted about something, "BLEGH!" Get it? OK, jokes aside, Architects has please the modern metal scene with technical metalcore blended with Linkin Park-like melodies. But now it seems like they want to take the Linkin Park-isms further. After a few albums of monolithic metalcore, album #9 For Those That Wish to Exist marks a different phase in their career.
This new direction was first hinted subtly in their previous album Holy Hell, an offering of resilience after the passing of founding guitarist Tom Searle. At least this more accessible sound in For Those That Wish to Exist is better than their first attempt in The Here and Now, and even Hollow Crown. Still the redemption wears off...
"Do You Dream of Armageddon" is a nice electro-orchestral intro. Then "Black Lungs" blasts off into catchy nu metalcore. I recommend that song to anyone wanting to get into alt-metalcore! I like "Giving Blood" in which the booming rock sound and bombastic strings makes sure this album is the Minutes to Midnight of Architects. "Discourse is Dead" throws back to the band's earlier heavy aggression. It's polar opposite "Dead Butterflies" is a ballad-ish rocker, standing out with Carter's cleans and screams.
Stomping rhythms cover the heavy "An Ordinary Extinction". Then "Impermanence" has more of that battling against the bass and drums. Guest vocals appear for the first time in a few albums, as Winston McCall from Parkway Drive adds to the metal intensity. As much as I enjoy that one though, why the h*ll does the "again and again and again" part sounds so much like part of the chorus "Don't Let Me Down" by The Chainsmokers?! Speaking of electropop, "Flight Without Feathers" only depends of dreamy keys and beats. One song I feel lacks some creativity is "Little Wonder", sounding too mainstream in the music and lyrics, "I wanna sing you a different song, one's that easier to swallow". Yeah, there are easier songs to swallow than that sh*t. But it's made up for by the guest vocals of Royal Blood's Mike Keer and the strong breakdown, "THEY F***ING HAD IT COMING!!!!!" Next track "Animals" marches with a great industrial drum groove alongside the addictive guitars and bass.
The riffing power goes heavy in "Libertine". Then "Goliath" is another interesting track with ambient synths, arena-filled melodies, and metalcore heaviness all at once, with some more guest vocals, by Biffy Clyro vocalist Simon Neil. Deeper down, "Demi God" soars with strings without much error. The penultimate "Meteor" is not bad, but the catchiness could've had greater composition. "Dying is Absolutely Safe" closes the album with delicate strings and additional drum work by Liam Kearley of Black Peaks.
While a few tracks really end up tapping out, you can depend on Architects to hook you up with different aspects including synths and cinematic strings. For Those That Wish to Exist is for those who wish for a more diverse sound, though the heavier fans wish the band could stand by what they're known for....
Favorites: "Black Lungs", "Giving Blood", "Dead Butterflies", "Impermanence", "Animals", "Goliath", "Demi God"