Review: Architects – The Sky, The Earth and All Between

Another breathless assault on the senses, matching aggressive metal energy, electro elements and soaring anthems.

Formed in Brighton in 2004, Architects have long held a position – alongside Bring Me The Horizon and Enter Shikari – at the top of the UK Metal scene. From Mathcore beginnings through to their progressive metalcore present, the fourpiece have kept things fresh and heavy for over two decades now.

Similarly, The Sky, The Earth and All Between is another breathless assault on the senses, matching aggressive metal energy, electro elements and soaring anthems. And their 11th album stays just on the accessible side of things for those not usually in tune with this style of music.

‘Elegy’ is quite the attention-grabbing opener. To begin, an ominous riff presents an atmospheric backdrop, matched by Sam Carters emotive love torn singing. What arrives next is a combination of breakneck screaming and thunderous metal to place us firmly on the edge of our seats.

The explosive ‘Whiplash’ follows; an anthem exploring tribalism and our inability to get along with people of a different opinion. The second track contains as soaring a chorus as you’ll find here, Carter chanting: “Welcome here in the crowd, 'cause we're safe and we're sound / But who gives a f*** unless you're one of us?”.

Later, the industrial-ness on ‘Judgement Day’ and introduction of female vocalist Amira Elfeky proves adaptability and another explosive second half highlight. Meanwhile, ‘Broken Mirror’ is more pop in focus: a heartfelt and chest-thumping move into stadium-rock territory with Carter’s pristine vocals front and centre.

If we were to be in any way critical of The Sky, The Earth and All Between it’d be that a harsher edit would’ve ensured a more coherent listen and batted against any weariness. But overall, this is another album of (mostly) gold from Architects. It encompasses the perfect mix of anger and sensitivity, but, most importantly, is a pretty fun listen throughout.

8/10