Hardcore albums are considered to be the hardest ones to perfect, making it even more special when a brilliant one comes alone. One such brilliant release is the 6th studio release by English group Architects, Lost Forever // Lost Together. Recorded in Sweden, the album see’s Architects progress further to become one of the world’s most prominent hardcore bands.
Opening with the heavy-yet-melodic Gravedigger, vocalist Sam Carter’s harmonic screams perfectly accompany the metal breakdown riffs and pounding drums, before a slowed down outro builds up to a powerful climax riff. Naysayer is heavy from the very start, with extremely up-tempo drums and growls swiftly being replaced by a slowed down section, before the song reaches a harmonic chorus and chaotic closing. Broken Cross starts off slower, with atmospheric synths and wails making way for Carter’s screamed intro and another heavy riff, laden with distortion and accompanied yet again by Dan Searle’s powerful drumming. This one is slightly slower, taking influence from Bring Me the Horizon’s more recent output in places. Following track The Death is Near brings the album back up to pace, with elements of Crossfaith throughout, as well as more heavy riffage courtesy of Tom Searle. A recorded vocal sample during the bridge adds to the already eerie atmosphere, before Dead Man Talking sees some of Carter’s more brutal and harmonic screams. Its heavy riff and pounding drums are similar to those seen throughout the whole album, yet that doesn’t take away from the sheer ferocity and power of the songs in question.
Once we get to Red Hypergiant’s more electronic elements, we can start to see how brilliant an album this really is. Drum machines, sampled vocals and hazy synths make way for anthemic riffs and a space for the listener to breathe. This leads into the brutal C.A.N.C.E.R which, following a hard-and-heavy intro, slowly morphs into an atmospheric belter of an anthem. Colony Collapse follows suit, with orchestral elements and a slower pace showcasing the sweeter, more arena-sized songs on the album. It then transforms into a massive anthem, once again similar to contemporaries such as Bring Me the Horizon, Crossfaith and even Enter Shikari. Castles in the Air is another brutally heavy song, with more heavy hardcore breakdowns and screams.
Album highlight, and penultimate track, Youth is Wasted on the Young brings more harmony to the already crowded table, with another atmospheric mid-section accompanying low-tuned riffs and Sam Carter’s massive screams. The Distant Blue brings the record to a close, starting off slow and anthemic before reaching a chaotic mid-section and finishing with atmospheric synths and drum beats.
As hardcore albums go, Architects seem to have just created one hell of a masterpiece. If this is anything to go by, the future will be very exciting for Brighton four-piece.
9/10
