Review by Saxy S for Architects - Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit (2022)

I wish I hadn't called this in 2021, but it was quite easy to see the cracks forming through the last album and now we have reached the empty void of sellout Architects. Since I had very little experience with this band during their heavier metalcore days, I went into 2021's For Those That Wish To Exist with muted optimism, but optimism nonetheless. I thought the album was pretty bland, but Architects maintained some of their identity that was present on Holy Hell, but now this band is stuck in alternative metalcore purgatory. I cannot find myself excited about anything here because it all sounds formulaic and basic; none of the songs stand out and simply go through the motions of an alternative metalcore album. Not to mention the poor production from the last album has not been fixed, and the style changes and breakdowns evoke zero reaction.

Sam Carter has recently gone on record saying that metal music fans are elitists in that they do not want their beloved bands changing and becoming more accessible as a way to deflect criticism of this new record. Despite the fact that this happens in all types of music, I see the appeal of this sentiment. I've spoken many times on and off the internet about this very same thing and it baffles me that this practice still takes place today. What Sam Carter forgot to mention was the lost identity of Architects in that transition. This sounds like it could have been written by a computer. The new Architects album contains the classic symptoms of a broken soul.

Best Songs: burn down my house, a new moral high ground