To say Architects have undergone a grandiose metamorphosis over the course of their career would be a touch of an understatement. Over the course of their eight current long plays – from the tangled Nightmares to 2018’s triumphant Holy Hell – the band have perfected the modern metalcore blueprint and are now in the process of expanding the genre as a whole, something set to be established with their forthcoming ninth long play For Those That Wish To Exist. When it was announced that Architects would be taking to the legendary, yet sadly void Royal Albert Hall in promotion of the upcoming record, we knew it was going to be something special indeed. However, much like everyone who tuned in, it’s safe to presume we weren’t prepared for the sheer scale of the set. From the live premiere of new material to the awe-inspiring left turns, Architects live at the Royal Albert Hall was an utterly breathtaking performance to witness; and here’s some of the things we learned from the evening. The Production Of The Livestream Was Beyond Compare In this accursed year, livestreams have become the norm. This isn’t the first time an act have put on a full stage production for a livestream, with previous livestreams from acts such as Trivium, Code Orange and Behemoth featuring fantastic production qualities. However, the sheer scale of this performance was simply mind blowing. Complete with a multi-camera set up scaling the entirety of this magnificent venue, the livestream was more a full cinematic event as opposed to a simplistic musical performance. Both crew and band were free to use the venue as they pleased, allowing a jaw dropping performance that not only allowed the band’s output to take a vivid new form, but gifted a spectacle that was a treat for both the eyes as well as the ears. The New Material Is Simply Stunning As expected, the anticipation regarding the material from the new record was paramount from the onset. The colossal debut of lead single ‘Animals’ saw such anticipation reach feverish levels, even more-so after it was announced that the new record is set to contain guest spots from Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall, Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr and even Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro fame. Granted, there was apprehension amidst the excitement regarding the new material, but the live debut of new tracks ‘Discourse Is Dead’ and ‘Dead Butterflies’ has dispelled all such concerns. In the case of the first track, ‘Discourse Is Dead’ is crushing, all annihilating that see’s the band incendiary firing on all cylinders, essentially quelling all pre-emptive complaints that Architects have lost their heft. However, ‘Dead Butterflies’ is set to be something else altogether. Quintessentially translucent and curious, the premiere showcased Architects basking in the light of both ominous darkness and celestial glow. We may only have heard three songs from a fifteen track release, but the new record and accompanying live show is set to be something thrillingly exciting and original. Architects Still Know How To Shock And Surprise It was pretty much expected that this performance was set to contain a surprise or two. It’s safe to say not a single viewer expected it to take this form though. Immediately following the debut of ‘Dead Butterflies, the band took to the floor of Royal Albert Hall for intimate and vulnerable acoustic performances of both ‘Memento Mori’ and ‘A Hasted Hymn’. For a band renowned for their incendiary onslaught of pummelling sound, such a performance was a moment of touching emotion, with the key and string led reworkings of both tracks showcasing the tangible emotional intricacy that underpins them. Quite frankly, such re-imaginings are a brand new sound for a band, certainly not one synonymous with their namesake, but one that Architects can successfully navigate, all whilst further amplifying their intensity in new emotional fashions. Sam Carter’s Vocals Are Better Than Ever With the previous premiere of their latest single ‘Animals’, many took the toxic echo chambers of social media to fraudulently state that the lack of tortuous harsh vocals was proof that frontman Sam Carter has lost his famed vocal range. As proved by this set however, this claim could not be further from the truth. Immediately, Carter dispelled all speculation with a flaying performance of the bombastic ‘Nihilist’ all before reanimating heavy hitters such as ‘Mortal After All’, ‘Holy Hell’, ‘Gone With The Wind’ and ‘Broken Cross’ with vigour and fervour. The cleans are serene, the screams more piercing than ever and even stomach turning low bellows have taken prominence within their live sound. If this set was an indication for things to come, For Those That Wish To Exist is set to present Sam Carter’s most spectacular vocal performance to date. Architects Are Simply Unparalleled Within Their Field It’s been stated countless times over the past several years, but last night’s performance unquestionably solidified the fact that Architects are simply unparalleled in their craft. Across the span of approximately ninety minutes and seventeen tracks, the act immaculately swerved and dove through their craft with lethal precision whilst radiating immersive emotion, flawless technicality and inspirational showmanship. Architects have built their career atop a solid foundation of such traits and this set was a breathtaking showcase of them in a vivid and intense form that is beyond the comparison of their peers. With the Royal Albert Hall now empty bar from the distant echoes of ‘Doomsday’ within the air, it’s nigh on absurd to name a single band better to represent the global metalcore scene as a whole. Architects Live At The Royal Albert Hall is available to view until 8pm November 23rd. Watch the performance here. For Those That Wish To Exist is released February 26th via Epitaph Records and UNFD. Pre-order the record here.