Architects

For Those That Wish To Exist

For Those That Wish To Exist is an expansive album in every sense of the word.

The current climate is dark, moody, uncertain with the pandemic in mind, but this new album brings joy and happiness in a time where it is needed most.

The Brighton's band ninth album is, improbably, a fresh start. With a cleaner sonic palette and orchestral flourishes, it's proof of their enduring creativity.

Cohesive, coherent and demanding of us an explanation, ‘For Those…’ shall not relent until wrongs have been righted, and being this righteous never sounded so good.

The bleaker things get, the stronger they emerge.

This is essentially a continuation of the stylistic approach of Holy Hell: a cleaner, vaster, stadium-sized version of what the band used to be.

Thematically and sonically, For Those That Wish to Exist feels limitless.

It’s an album that has something to appeal to any ears, without compromising the true Architects’ signature – you just have to be open to it.

Other than a few lapses, the hooks, synths and classical instruments effectively recontextualize Architects' musicianship. For Those That Wish to Exist proves these guys can successfully diversify their sound.

The Brighton metalcore band turn their attention both outwards and inwards:  ferocious, barely contained rage directed towards global dysfunction and the looming, ever-increasing threats to mankind and the notion of personal responsibility, taking control of destiny.

Cobweb-blasting singing, brain-invading melodies and skin-scouring riffs offer no relief from this wrestling match with impending disaster.

Essentially, this is an album aimed at everyone – which could explain why it’s so long and inconsistent – and while For Those That Wish to Exist is far from perfect, I do feel everyone can take some good things away from it.