ARCHITECTS just released their newest album, Holy Hell. This marks the first album after ARCHITECTS’ founding guitarist, Tom Searle, tragically passed away. With his twin being the drummer, and the rest of the band being close friends, the album was a tool to move through the grieving. Rather than being consumed by grief, Dan Searle says of the album “Ultimately, there were two choices. Feel sorry for yourself, and believe the world to be a horrible place and let it defeat you. Or let it inspire us to live the life that Tom would have wanted us to live. I was very worried about people taking away a despondent message from the album. I felt a level of responsibility to provide a light at the end of the tunnel for people who are going through terrible experiences.”
This past week, I’ve listened to this album nonstop. Even when it was just background music, without me really listening and analysing it, it’s a great album and it hits you deep in your feelings. Since its release, I’ve seen it posted all over social media with nothing but good reviews. I think that ARCHITECTS have outdone themselves to put out an album in honor of Tom, and they have definitely fulfilled that responsibility they felt of providing that light.
Opening the album, “Death Is Not Defeat” is the perfect song to set the stage for the album. It opens in a theatrical way with slow, low violins starting the song, and as the music picks up, the violins are heard throughout the song, giving a somber undertone to the fast song. This song does a great job of tackling the inevitable of death that many of us struggle to accept. “Why do we fight what we can’t define? Don’t be afraid, we all cross the same line.”
“Hereafter” was another favorite of mine, with a melancholy intro, then speeding up with heavy instrumentals. I really love the melodic intro, then the fast-paced, screaming build into the first verse. “I wasn’t ready for the rapture, we’re only passing through, but these words, they mean nothing to me. I know that time will mend this fracture, I’ve been lost in a maze, and every route I take leads right back to you.” In this opening verse, I can feel the stages of grief with anger in the voice, and the lyrics are almost in denial and bargaining. This is the best song to go to for comfort during times of loss and grief. It’s very cathartic in the lyrics, but it has a great melody and energy to it, that it’s a great listen.
I loved this entire album. It’s packed with such raw emotion and healing, and the vocals and instruments are great for screaming and headbanging to. Any hard rock/metal fan should be adding this to their library. ARCHITECTS is touring Europe now. Head to their page for all tour information, and band news. www.facebook.com/architectsuk.
Tracklist
1 Death is not Defeat
2. Hereafter
3. Mortal After All
4. Holy Hell
5. Damnation
6. Royal Beggars
7. Modern Misery
8. Dying to Heal
9. The Seventh Circle
10 Doomsday
11. A Wasted Hymn
