Aussie Heavy Acts weigh in on Architects' influence ahead of new album Holy Hell's release

The hype is increasingly building around the release of Architects' forthcoming eighth-studio album Holy Hell which will finally see the light of day this Friday (November 9th) via UNFD/Epitaph Records. This new masterpiece is arguably one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2018 (not to mention the band's career) as it not only wraps up some of the last songs written by guitarist Tom Searle prior to his tragic passing after battling cancer in 2016, but it also serves as the start of the band's next venture without him and you better believe there'll be tears shed from all parties.

Thinking about the success the band has had, in a short amount of time they've gone from being support/opening acts, to dominating the metalcore genre on an international scale, selling out headline shows in Australia, playing huge festivals around the world and cementing themselves as key players in the genre's success, influencing a plethora of bands in their own backyard and ours.

To get you all keen as fuck for this release (yes, more than what you already are), we reached out to a few of the upcoming and established heavy bands from Australia to find out first hand the influence these Brighton boys have had on their musical endeavours, which helped shape them to the be musicians they are today.

Dale Tanner (Ocean Grove)

I first saw Architects live when they supported Parkway Drive on their 2009 “The DVD” Tour at Kingston City Hall in Moorabbin. Even then there was evidence of how crushing, yet polished this band was and was destined to become. In the early years of OG, Architects’ music was always a cornerstone reference point, the benchmark standard, alongside bands like Parkway Drive and Attack Attack, when we were writing our own music. Years later when we were given the opportunity to tour Australia with them as main support it was a full-circle spin-out kind of moment. This tour came in the wake of the passing of Tom, and what we found most admirable about this band was the noble manner in which they went about their live show, exercising their sense.

What were they like to tour with?

The Architects lads are a real easy-going, honest and inspiring group of beings and musicians. We were blown away by their performance every night, and notably sometimes hearing a completely silent venue as Sam gave one of his speeches. This was something we had never experienced before. Due to their hectic Groovin’ The Moo schedule last year that intertwined with the run of sideshows we were on, we actually had very little downtime on the tour to hang out. However I do have an especially fond memory of sharing stories over a couple of pints with Sam and their photographer Ed at Little Creatures in Fremantle on one of the last days of the tour, until we were the last people in the place.

Favourite Song?

The Devil Is Near

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSnMTi33ks&w=640&h=360]

Josh Smith (Northlane)

Tell us about your experience with Architects and how they influenced you and the band?

Architects were years ahead of the curve when they came out with Hollow Crown and it was one of the most influential records for Northlane when we were first starting out. In particular, the song Early Grave completely blew my head off. I’d never heard anything like it before. I was lucky enough to meet and tour with the band in later years and now I call them my friends, something I never expected and I’m very grateful for.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZWEAhj3Uo&w=640&h=360]

Rick Schneider (Polaris)

How have the Architects lads helped or influenced your career as a musician? 

Honestly, being in a band is something which can bring immense struggles especially when it comes to writing and releasing material, but the moment you step onto a stage you immediately remember why it is so important to you. No other job, hobby or activity has given me the same rush and sense of satisfaction that being in my band does, and it's something that I hope I'll continue to do until I'm at a much older age. To see Architects face one of the most challenging things a band could ever imagine and to persevere and in many ways, thrive is nothing short of amazing. It gives me hope that if ever a situation as insurmountable faced myself and the others in my band, we too could pull through and make it to the other side - in the end, we all know that if we would make it, it would be worth it.

And your favourite song from the band?

Colony Collapse

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlzBRwkwJUE&w=640&h=360]

Lizi Blanco (The Beautiful Monument)

How did you discover Architects and how have they influenced your life as a musician?

I remember the first time hearing Architects in high school. One of the dudes in my music class told me I had to listen to 'Early Grave' and I fell in love with the Hollow Crown release [still my favourite record of theirs forever]. I did a monologue drama performance using 'Hollow Crown' which was my favourite song at the time; it was a terrible performance from what I remember, but the song totally made it. I was fortunate enough to share the stage with them later on in life which was something I never in my wildest dreams thought would be a thing. They definitely inspired me to start spreading awareness for the voiceless the only way I knew how. The Beautiful Monument started giving out Sea Shepherd stickers at our shows [which they gave to us] and now sending them out for Dominion in order to educate our listeners on something I am truly passionate about - it’s even made its way into lyrical content of one of our tracks on the new record. I have them to thank for this I guess!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1IGCrN-e4o&w=640&h=360]

James McKendrick (Void of Vision)

Architects were one of the first heavy bands that I took a keen interest in, but to me, they did something different to everyone else. I remember hearing the Hollow Crown record for the first time, and just sensing a different energy from them. They just sounded so much angrier than the other bands that I'd listened to at the time, but they managed to still incorporate melody into the music. It showed me that there was such a thing as controlled chaos in music, and it definitely influenced both how I see and write music. Seeing their growth has been wild too, they're one of the few bands that just keep doing their thing but always find a way to step it up every time. I think I could listen to all of their records front-to-back and enjoy it the whole way through, you can tell there's a lot of thought to how the track-listing flows too.

Favourite Song?

I'd love to say something old from Hollow Crown, but I think I've gotta say Gone With The Wind. One of the few songs I can't skip, no matter what mood I'm in. Everything about it is just incredible.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d-1ZilyKdw&w=640&h=360]

Words by Browny @brownypaul

Keep an eye out for our Holy Hell album review coming later this week,
in the meantime find out more about Sea Shepherd and their causes here

Holy Hell is out Friday via UNFD. Pre-Order right here

Architects – Holy Hell tracklisting

1. Death Is Not Defeat
2. Hereafter
3. Mortal After All
4. Holy Hell
5. Damnation
6. Royal Beggars
7. Modern Misery
8. Dying To Heal
9. The Seventh Circle
10. Doomsday
11. A Wasted Hymn

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvWbcK3YQ_o&w=853&h=480]