On Saturday 03/02/2018, Brighton metalcore giants, Architects, took the stage at a sold out Alexandra Palace. Architects are a band who have been through a lot over the past 18 months, after guitarist and main songwriter, Tom Searle, sadly passed away after a three year battle with skin cancer. It comes as no surprise then that the band’s biggest show to date would be an emotional event and an incredible tribute to Tom.
After immense support from Counterparts and While She Sleeps, Architects took to the stage, opening with “A Match Made In Heaven.” Drop tuned guitar, thundering drums and Sam Carter’s blistering vocals tear through the venue like an artillery barrage, sparking excitement and energy within every member of the 10,000 strong audience. Carter’s vocal performance was particularly astonishing, perfectly executing low screams and energetic cleans on tracks like “Broken Cross” and “Gravedigger.” It was clear that Architects pulled out all the stops, not just musically, but visually too. The show was packed full of strobes, lasers and pyro. Their signature eclipse backdrop was flashing with visuals throughout. The stage show was especially striking during “Alpha Omega” from their 2012 album “Daybreaker,” with flames shooting skyward with each strike of thunderous guitar. Their most recent single, “Doomsday,” closed the main part of their set in great style.
However, the night was about far more than just the music. Just before the closing song, “Gone With The Wind,” Dan Searle steps out from behind his drum kit to deliver a speech. He speaks about Tom and how much it means to have sold out their biggest show to date. “My brother Tom would be tearing up to see 10,000 people here listening to his songs,” Throughout the final moments of the show band members and audience alike are visibly in tears, with Sam Carter even falling to his knees during the bridge of “Gone With The Wind,” allowing the audience to take over vocal duties while he collects himself. As the band exits the stage the letters “T//S” appear in a heart as a tribute to the guitarist who shaped the band throughout their 14-year career.
After the success of their recent single “Doomsday” and after putting on such and incredible show I am very excited to see what’s next for Architects.
Article by Philip Marsden.
He discovered the gem when he was 12 years old and still has it now, claiming it to be why he fell in love with music. He likes to play disc golf when he's not writing about music. He is a one-of-a-kind individual who is always the first to bust out his air guitar on the dance-floor.
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