With just few weeks left until the highly anticipated reveal of Architects’ ninth studio album For Those That Wish To Exist, the Brighton outfit shared their last promotional single ‘Meteor‘. The track premiered on Monday evening on the band’s resident slot at Annie Mac’s Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1. Shortly after the show frontman Sam Carter shared the following message on his Twitter account: “Thank you for every lovely comment about Meteor it honestly means the world to us. We pushed ourselves so much creatively on this album and I love seeing you connect with the singles so much!”
Since the end of last October, Architects have revealed the colossal arena anthem ‘Animals‘, the furious metalcore tirade ‘Black Lungs‘ and the beautiful prog-driven ballad ‘Dead Butterflies‘, and we were there for them all. With ‘Meteor‘ the band displays yet another side of what is gradually shaping to be their most important album to date. For Those That Wish To Exist is out on 26 February via Epitaph Records, available to pre-save and pre-order on all formats here.
The day after the premiere saw all major media outlets worldwide set their eyes on Architects, giving them the attention they rightfuly deserve and once again opening the debate over their new musical direction. Slowly molding into an unstoppable force breaking genre restrictions on their own terms, the established metalcore heavyweights are preparing a project brimming with newly found purpose, creative freedom and environmental awareness. Putting aside any paralels to their contemporaries from the UK metal scene, the Brighton flagmen stand proud with the confidence and attitude of a festival headliner ready to lead the pack.
At first glance, ‘Meteor‘ fails to hit as heavy as its title suggests but frankly it doesn’t need to anymore. With nothing more to prove and noone left to please but themselves, the band delivers yet another seminal track that sounds melodic and radio-friendly in its alt rock core, all the while fuelled with all the menacing vibe and dark themes defining any acclaimed metal record. Melodies and lyrics intertwined in a catchy yet troubled requiem for a paradise lost, the single follows Carter desperately crying out loud: “They said we pushed the last domino before the apocalypse. We’ve all got a stone to throw. Why? I will never know, yeah, we’re like fire in the snow“.
Naturally, ‘Meteor‘ won’t please everyone but serves a very specific purpose within the context of For All That Wish To Exist as a significant ninth record by a band blessed by immediate international success but also deeply scarred by personal tragedy. Last year, drummer and producer Dan Searle joined Carter for an exclusive feature for Kerrang!, providing an insight on their inspiration and direction:
“I think Holy Hell still had that Architects sound, but alluded to where we could go next. Holy Hell took us into arenas, and playing live in those spaces taught us a lot. We felt like we were able to go where we wanted, without losing sight of ourselves. After nine albums, you have to go somewhere a little different, a little uncomfortable, and that’s where creativity flies.”
In a curious video interview for Rock Sound from yesterday, Mike Kerr from Royal Blood talked about collaborating with Architects on the track ‘Little Wonders‘ from their upcoming record. A fellow Brighton rocker and long-term friend of Sam Carter and the band, the guitarist discussed seeing them perform life, recording music together and being completely blown by their craft: “It’s like watching a bunch of ninjas. They’re masters of their art“.
Mike Kerr from @royalblooduk talks working with @Architectsuk on their new album: “It’s like watching a bunch of ninjas. They’re masters of their art”
Watch the full Video Call interview here: https://t.co/Keljs2YOlQ pic.twitter.com/dz874ogmko
— Rock Sound (@rocksound) February 8, 2021
