Why I love this song and this band! || Architects — Tear Gas
Architects, with their new album, The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit, have well and truly ushered in their Bring-Me-The-Horizon-era of massive sounds, epic melodies and penetrating vocals.
Architects is probably my favourite modern metal act. I know they have been around since the first half of the 2000s, but their big breakthrough came with the advent of a completely new sound on Lost Forever // Lost Together.
This was only a year or two after Bring Me The Horizon redefined themselves to include the melodic synth features powered by Jordan Fish, with the release of Sempiternal.
The Lost Forever // Lost Together, All Gods Have Abandoned Us, and Holy Hell era, to be said, was genre-defining music. That era of Architects is forever immortalised. So perhaps fitting, that they evolved, both their soundscape and songwriting.
It is also worth a mention, that this is their second album in 2 years, having released a stylistically similar album in 2021. That hardly ever happens with big bands these days.
Since the release of the new album, I have had to take some time, to recontextualise the singles for myself in the context of the album. I have found it difficult to choose a favourite song, but perhaps not entirely all for good reasons.
So herewith, my impression of the second single off of The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit. Architects — Tear Gas || Overall score 15/20
Sonic Magic || 5/5
Architects have really focussed on developing Rammstein/Metallica-style soundscape massiveness over the last two albums. The combination of excellent drum production, low-tuned guitars, a massive bass low end and the use of synths and the guitar tone mastery that is Josh Middleton.
I consider this production to be some of the best I have ever heard, certainly from Architects (on Par with the previous album), and more generally, from my favourite bands over the years.
Musicianship and technical proficiency || 4/5
This music is not technical, by design, but if you consider the full complement of instruments and the delivery, it is quite astounding. The vocals, the understated, yet non-boring drums, the riff, the breakdown, the overall tightness.
These are some of the most talented musicians on the planet, and this track is perfectly understated in the most satisfying way.
Overall composition & Surprise || 3/5
Structurally, this is a fairly easy-to-listen-to track. It has an intro/hook, verse, chorus bridge/breakdown sections.
However, the thing with really great musicians, is that they don’t under compose, or over compose. They introduce small little nuances, small little surprises, little easter eggs for the dedicated listener.
It doesn’t break any rules. It colours perfectly between the lines.
Vocals || 4/5
Sam Carter is one of the best vocalists in all of metal today, and possibly, ever.
His forced style of sing-screaming is absolutely bone-chilling. The only vocalists that outperform Sam Carter in this style of delivery, are Chester Bennington, arguably, Oli Sykes, and Sam Carter on All Gods Have Abandoned Us.
Lyrics || 3/5
I think the bar for Lyrics, when it comes to Architects, is set impossibly high. On my list of best-ever lyricists, Tom Searle is at the top.
The lyrics on Tear Gas, are decent. I always find it difficult to analyse lyrics, and specifically, the meaning of lyrics. In this case, I have failed to find the poetry that makes me want to tattoo the lyrics on my arms.
Melody/Riff || 5/5
This opening riff, is fucking massive! The first thought I had was, this is Rammstein, done in the style of Architects, in the most complimentary of opinions. It is undeniably Architects, but it has that heft that is so characteristic of Rammstein’s riffs.
The derivative of the main riff in the breakdown, is going to kill on stage!!
Drums & Percussion || 4/5
Dan Searle is a tasteful drummer. His playing is so perfectly song-serving, but it has some non-obvious flair, that I really appreciate.
If you listen to the little interjection between verses 1 & 2, at 00:39 in the track, you will hear what I mean. That is delicious!
Feel || 5/5
Along with their immense progress on the soundscape side of things, they have also been focusing on creating tracks that have incredible feel. Bass synths and other electronic elements, slower, stank-face-making riffs, and slower Rammstein-style drums…
This is stadium metal.
Live crowds are going to go ape-shit!
Emotional epicness || 3/5
Again, the bar for Architects is set very high. The Holy Hell album is possibly one of the most emotional albums I have ever heard in my life. Even writing about that album gives me goosebumps.
Tear Gas, is epic sounding. It makes you feel empowered and alive! It has attitude!
