For Those That Wish To Exist by Architects: Climate Change, Mortality and the Best Album Ever Made

In 2018 Architects set themselves apart from the crowd with 'Holy Hell.' It was a concept album about grief, written as a tribute to the bands late guitarist Tom Searle a mere 2 years after his death from skin cancer. Instead of using the tired tropes of the genre, they did something entirely different, crafting a unique tribute with gorgeous tracks like 'Death is not Defeat' and 'Wasted Hymn,' questioning themes such as mortality, faith and grief in a way that was original and thought-provoking as it was intense. With a score of 90 on Metacritic it's one of the best reviewed albums of all time. 

After this success their was intense speculation as to what they might do next. 

The answer: to not just change their sound completely, but to push the boundaries of their music far beyond what anybody could imagine they were capable of.  

The result, their 9th studio album 'For Those That Wish to Exist,' is not just a good album, it's one of the best albums ever made. 

On the surface it's a plea to accept and combat climate change, on a deeper level it is a concept album that tackles subjects as tough as personal responsibility and accountability, animal ecology and extinction, global dysfunction, pollution, the creation of life and our eventual demise in a way that is fresh, innovative and instantly attention-grabbing.

I've already listed the lead single 'Animals' as one of my favourite tracks of 2020 and here it especially hits home. It is the album's centrepiece, a direct challenge to the listener which benefits from drummer/producer Dan Searle's exquisite production, up there with some of Hans Zimmer's greatest scores, pulsating with electronica-infused synths, a guitar breakdown that is mosh-pit worthy as it is stirring and an absolute stinger of a chorus.

'Meteor' is also a standout track. A cinematic, stadium-ready, call to arms complete with choir, string orchestra and power chords galore. It's bombastic, loud and likely to have you head-banging along as soon as it starts playing. 

It's safe to say that lead vocalist Sam Carter pulls no punches on every single track. Every vocal line is as raw and heartfelt as if it was performed live, to the point where you feel as though he has nothing left in the tank by 'Dying is Absolutely Safe,' where the album switches from the melodic, cinematic metalcore of the previous 14 tracks to acoustic guitar and strings. It's a final note of hope, the end credits on an album that is disturbing as it is beautiful, fearful as it is hopeful and ultimately utterly unforgettable.

For 'Those That Wish to Exist' is a thrill ride of epic proportions that never so much as gives you time to breathe before it plunges you into its next moment of pure genius. Cinematic in spectacle and grand in scale, It achieves a level of musicianship, emotion and production that is greater than anything that has been achieved by the genre before.  

To buy the record click here For Those That Wish To Exist: