Architects (UK) is one of the bigger names in mathcore today, and their latest release is a good reason as to why. “Lost Forever // Lost Together” is possibly the most defining record of their career, refining everything the band has been through.

Architects’ fans have gone through a rough couple album releases. Previous records “Daybreaker” and “The Here and Now” are love it or hate it by most fans. “The Here and Now” featured cleaner songs, ballads and an overall rock sound, while “Daybreaker” was heavy and technical but was too political based and felt more like a confused step rather than a progression.

With “Lost Forever // Lost Together,” Architects’ fans can rejoice as their beloved sound from “Hollow Crown” is back. 

“Lost Forever // Lost Together” is heavy, angry, fast and is not political. It is a giant step forward for the band.

The album’s lead single, “Naysayer” is easily one of the better songs on the record. The song is basically a giant hook and with the addition of blast beats (a first for Architects), the song just welcomes the listener with a brutal onslaught of a metal, good time.

Other songs like opener “Gravedigger” is perfectly placed as a welcoming for what is to come for the rest of the record. 

The guitar work in this album is a highlight, it is nothing short of fantastic riffs. The polyrhythms and (dare I say) djent sound of the record can give any guitar lover a new favorite album. The songs are mostly played with dropped tunings, so the songs are more based on the lower strings. But in a record like this, that is not a bad thing. 

Vocalist Sam Carter shines with this record as well. His screaming, yelling and cleans just sound wonderful with the overall sound. It is a good decision that Carter chose to drop the total clean voice from “The Here and Now” for this record would not fit that sound at all. 

As good as “Lost Forever // Lost Together” is though, a listener cannot help but wonder what happened to what Architects had before. The biggest strength of this record is its weakness. There is no moment of relaxation or a slowed down moment long enough to make you want another onslaught. Needless to say, the ballads from “The Here and Now” would have been great for this record within moderation.

Overall, this record is a fantastic step forward for Architects and anybody who is a fan of heavier, technical, hardcore music should look into them. Now is the perfect time.

3.5/5