This latest song may seem quite reminiscent of their early days as Billy Stevenson the bands’ drummer noted that the track was “One of the very first Descendents songs, written in 1977, by (founding member) David Nolte, about how living in Hermosa Beach made him feel like a freak.” 

In 2002, the original line-up of bassist Tony Lombardo, drummer Bill Stevenson, guitarist Frank Navetta, and vocalist Milo Aukerman entered the studio to finally record the album. However unfortunately they failed to complete it before Navatta died in 2008. It was then more recently revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone, that, Stevenson sent the 2002 recordings to Aukerman, who recorded his vocals at home before sending them back to Stevenson to mix it.

The 18-track result became “9^th & Walnut”, which was named after their Long Beach practice space back in the day. This latest release features the bands’ earliest material written from 1977 through 1980. You can pre-order the album here.

“9^th & Walnut” Tracklist:

1. Sailor’s Choice
2. Crepe Suzette
3. You Make Me Sick
4. Lullaby
5. Nightage
6. Baby Doncha Know
7. Tired of Being Tired
8. I’m Shaky
9. Grudge
10. Mohicans
11. Like the Way I Know
12. It’s A Hectic World
13. To Remember
14. Yore Disgusting
15. It’s My Hair
16. I Need Some
17. Ride the Wild
18. Glad All Over (Dave Clark Five cover)

Strengthened through the creative process behind Architects’ previous album Holy Hell, the well-oiled production partnership between drummer Dan Searle and guitarist Josh Middleton have produced yet another fine example of uncompromising contemporary metalcore. With additional mixing by Zakk Cervini and resident drum engineering by Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, ‘Black Lungs‘ deliver Architects’ signature sound with a newly found purpose and vigour.

https://t.co/ZtpMXaIbez pic.twitter.com/FH03vjqcpB

— Architects (@Architectsuk) December 2, 2020

‘Black Lungs‘ premiered with a powerful video, showing the band perform at a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and directed by Jeb Hardwick, known for his previous work for Architects’ ‘Death Is Not Defeat‘, ‘Hereafter‘, ‘Downfall‘, and ‘Gone With The Wind‘ as well as collaborating with Sleeping With Sirens, Oceans Ate Alaska, Falling In Reverse, Beartooth, The One Hundred, and many more. Visually, the video provides the fitting background of the eye-opening lyrical content of the song, highlighting singer Sam Carter’s soaring chorus: “You wanna make your hell a reality? / Black lungs for the young if they dare to breathe“.

The new single follows Architects’ recent focus and criticism of society’ ignorance and apathy towards environmental issues and disasters, further fueled by the ongoing global pandemic. In an exclusive interview for Kerrang from 2019, Carter shared the following message, resonating even louder after today’s release: “The world is dying, it’s our fault and no-one cares. We’re marching towards the edge of a cliff, and there’s such an apathy about it. I go back to that word: this new album is a lot of desperate feelings about what we can do, and why nothing is happening.”

So far, ‘Animals‘ and ‘Black Lungs‘ are the two official singles from the highly anticipated For Those Who Wish To Exist, and the first new material since Holy Hell was released in November 2018. Earlier last month, Architects played a milestone virtual concert at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London, performing the two other tracks ‘Discourse Is Dead‘ and ‘Dead Butterflies‘ from the upcoming fifteen-track record for first time. The initial reception of all new material has been extreemly positive, with fans and critics praising Architects’ mature and reinvigorated sound.

The metalcore heavyweighs are aiming big for their ninth record, building on their last three consecutive Top 20 albums – Holy Hell (2018, #18), All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us (2016, #15) and Lost Forever // Lost Together (2014, #16). The band’s most recent single ‘Animals‘ is already buidling huge momentum with over 6 million Spotify streams and 4 million YouTube views.

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Публикация, споделена от (@samarchitects)

If ‘Animals‘ is any indication, the Brighton heavyweights are embarking on a new journey incorporating more synth-led guitar layering, atmospheric choruses and melodic singing. In a recurrent trend with most of the band’s contemporaries from the scene, a signicant change in style and direction reflects the musicians’ growth, purpose and inspirations as years go by and global events demand a creative response. Although often met with scepticism from diehard fans, so far the different approach to ‘Animals’ has been getting overwhelmingly positive reception and increasing the hype for next February.

For Those That Wish To Exist ⁣
Out February 26⁣
Pre Order now @ https://t.co/NFBwX8LQxl pic.twitter.com/HjcGN1Pu2w

— Architects (@Architectsuk) October 21, 2020

Back in 2018 Architects released Holy Hell that transformed the band into a resident arena headliner and dealt with the untimely death of guitarist and Dan Searle’s brother Tom. Naturally, the album followed the themes of its two predecessors and became the expected heartfelt emotional response to the tragedy. Now, after some years of reflection, raising children, worldwide environmental issues and ongoing global pandemic, Architects are returning determined to tackle ignorance and apathy.

Speaking for Kerrang in 2019, frontman Sam Carter praised the work of environmental activist Greta Thunberg inspiring an entire generation to make change, and saw other bands joining in the global call for action as a small but significant win. Following the recent single premiere and album announcement, the drummer and the band’s leading force Dan Searle returned to Kerrang for an exclusive cover story about the current state of affairs and the main inspiration behind For Those Who Wish To Exist: “The world is dying, it’s our fault and no-one cares. We’re marching towards the edge of a cliff, and there’s such an apathy about it. I go back to that word: this new album is a lot of desperate feelings about what we can do, and why nothing is happening.”

 

 

 

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  @kerrangmagazine_   Публикация, споделена от Architects (@architects) на Окт 21, 2020 в 7:08 PDT

Speaking about the band’s new direction, Searle states that “after nine albums, you have to go somewhere a little different, a little uncomfortable, and that’s where creativity flies.” Looking at the official list of 15 tracks, Architects are going to collaborate with some huge names from the international rock and metal scenes as a clear statement of Architects’ reputation and current standing.

As a certain highlight, ‘Impertinence‘ is promising to deliver a seminal vocal partnership between Sam Carter and Winston McCall of the Australian giants Parkway Drive. Mike Kerr of Brighton rock duo Royal Blood is expected to appear on ‘Little Wonder‘ while Biffy Clyro’s lead singer and guitrist Simon Neil himself will feature on ‘Goliath‘.

If all of this is not enough to get your expectations up, listen to track #10 ‘Animal‘ again and mark 26 February 2021 on your calendar.

The official tracklist of For Those Who Wish To Exist is as follows:
1. Do You Dream of Armageddon?
2. Black Lungs
3. Giving Blood
4. Discourse Is Dead
5. Dead Butterflies
6. An Ordinary Extinction
7. Impermanence feat. Winston McCall (Parkway Drive)
8. Flight Without Feathers
9. Little Wonder feat. Mike Kerr (Royal Blood)
10. Animals
11. Libertine
12. Goliath feat. Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro)
13. Demi God
14. Meteor
15. Dying Is Absolutely Safe

‘Animals‘ premiered with a dark video, directed by drummer Dan Searle himself and perfectly capturing the ominous feel of the track. The band seem to have fully embraced the synth-led sound explored in their previous record, and developed it into a huge arena anthem with strong industrial influences and predominant melodic leads.

The devil is definitely in the details on this one with minor touches such as the reverse singing in the intro and the atmospheric apocalyptic pre-breakdown section adding complexity to the otherwise straightforward verse-chorus structure. Architects deliver a simplistic yet effective composition executed with precision, passion and outstanding production.

After years of producing some of the highest quality modern metalcore and gravitating at the very top of the global heavy scene, Architects successfuly delve into unknown territory with apparent maturity and new-found purpose. The seminal album trilogy Lost Forever // Lost Together (2014), All Our Goods Have Abandones Us (2016) and Holy Hell (2018) covered a time of personal loss and became the emotional reponse to a tragedy that raised the bar for the entire genre but also exhausted its creative opportunities. A change was needed for the band to survive and move forward, and ‘Animals‘ delivers that in spectacular fashion.

Dan Searle is credditted with the production of the track and retains his role as Architects’ relentless driving force. Responsible for the lyrics and vocal engineering, the drummer’s work with frontman Sam Carter delivers one of the finest vocal displays from the band, switching the signature heavy screaming with emotive distorted singing, additional effects and whisper layering.

Josh Middleton of Sylosis returns as a full-time member and co-producer after joining Architects in 2017 following the untimely death of guitarist Tom Searle, and brings his unique take on the lead guitars and keyboards. Individually, each member performs at their absolute best, but the real strenght of ‘Animals‘ lies within the band’s synergy reflecting the experience and confidence of an established arena headliner.

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⁣⁣ ANIMALS⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ https://architects.ffm.to/fttwte⁣⁣ ⁣

Публикация, споделена от Architects (@architects) на Окт 20, 2020 в 1:01 PDT

With eight studio records in just sixteen years since their formation in 2004, Architects are no strangers to hard work and have managed to stand proud at the very top of their craft. Continuously expanding their sound and exceeding the expectations, they are yet to land a top 10 album in the UK and ‘Animals’ could be the key for a commercial breakthrough.

Within less than 24 hours since its premiere yesterday, ‘Animals‘ reached #6 in the YouTube viral videos list with almost 350 thousand views on Wesnesday morning. The initial response in social media has been overwhelmingly positive with fans and critics embracing Architect’s fresh material and excited for the new album that is already expected to be among the key moments for heavy music in 2021. As far as the comebacks is concerned, one could have hardly hoped for a more monumental return.

Thank you for all the kind words about Animals. Really taken back by the love we have received today

— Sam Carter (@samarchitects) October 20, 2020