Review

Architects - Ruin

04.04.2008 | Cam | 1 Comments

Genre: Metal/Hardcore/Progressive
For Fans Of: Norma Jean – A Secret Death – Johnny Truant
Favourite Songs: Buried At Sea – You’ll Find Safety – North Lane
Running Time: 37:22
Year: 2007
Website Link: http://www.wearearchitects.co.uk
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/architectsuk

Score: 90

UK metal without the hairspray…

REVIEW.

Yes, I’m aware that the modern day amalgamation of metal and hardcore doesn’t qualify as true metal in the eyes of the purists… but fuck them. Architects are a heavy band that demands your attention and their sophomore full length Ruin is more accomplished than a large percentage of the crap that’s being churned out of the US at the moment.

While the use of off kilter drumming and staccato riffing is nothing new in the world of heavy music, Architects have done a particularly good job of taking these familiar ingredients and crafting captivating songs out of them. The comparisons to Norma Jean are going to be unavoidable but if you give Ruin a few listens you’ll be privy to a somewhat unique take on an already familiar sound.

Some bands take their time when kicking off a record… they ease the listener into it. Architects clearly don’t subscribe to that theory because “Buried At Sea” hits like a sledgehammer. Sam’s vocals are nothing short of intense, his mid range bark having more of an impact in thirty seconds than the hordes of front men who resort to over used low growls and faux black metal shrieks. What’s even more impressive is the successful inclusion of breakdowns that don’t rely on open E chords, the groove of the riff more than compensating for the lack of down tuned chugging.

The disjointed introduction of “Hunt Them Down” makes way for a Mastodon influenced riff, something that a lot of groups are having a crack at these days, the difference being that Architects have the chops to pull it off. The guitars work throughout “You’ll Find Safety” is unrelenting while resident skin hitter Dan certainly earns his keep showing off a wide variety of well executed beats… the inclusion of clean vocals giving the song an almost atmospheric feel.

“Always” is another shining example of just how effective the Architects resident axe men are and “Sail This Ship Alone” provides a short breather before the sinister sounds of “Heartless” make their way through the speakers. The remarkable thing is the melodic edge that these songs manage to retain, the guitar bordering on ambient at certain stages. The opening riffs of “North Lane” would have many a head nodding along in agreement, the rapid fire blast beats punctuating the tracks heaviest moments and in the process making this one of the album’s most intense numbers.

“I Can’t See The Light” operates in a similar fashion to the previous number however the bass heavy “Low” breaks the song writing style up nicely. I’d love to hear the band explore these slower moments on their next record as the dense sounds are on par with anything Cult Of Luna have churned out in the last few years. Bringing up the tail is “Running From The Sun” and “Save Me”, both of which are excellent tunes but the content has already been thoroughly explored on Ruin.