ARCHITECT „All is Not Lost”

Music: Grindcore/Hardcore/Sludge
Country: USA
Website: www.myspace.com/architectkills
Cool Songs: Sic Semper Tyrannis, The Awakening

Syracuse, New York’s ARCHITECT is a bit of a new comer to Black Market, home to many bands of a similar style. Fans of the technical grind/mathcore scene may recognize the group’s previous incarnations—FOUND DEAD HANGING and VIRUS. The group’s debut album “All is not Lost” is scraping, gouging, whirlwind of pounding grind and streamlined hardcore. The guitars change from buzzing, droning NEUROSIS-inspired riffs to slovenly, mammoth-sized chugs that move like soldiers’ boots in a rain-drenched pasture—slow, dirty and hard. Other moments are like dodging enemy fire with the band going this way and that following the drummer’s swift rolls and fills. This harsh style is complimentary to the tales of social injustice narrated through vocal-chord snapping hardcore vociferations.

“All is not Lost” should find a home with fans of ED GEIN, FOUND DEAD HANGING, COALESCE and FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW, and other bands that have added extra features to the ever-expanding hardcore genre. The music is quite dynamic and has a great amount of energy. It really reminds me of the bands presented on the Relapse Records showcase at the Milwaukee Metalfest. The problem I have with this disc and this style of music in general is the lacking of hooks. Each song is caustic, bruising, and as stated before, electric, but it failed to grab my attention.

note: 5/10

Tracklist

1. The Awakening
2. Sic Semper Tyrannis
3. 11
4.Trepanning For Oil
5.13
6.Hell Of the Upsidedown Sinners
7.The End of It
Total Playing Time: 30:56
8.Collapse The War Engine
9.33
10.Broke Dick Dog
11.The Giving Tree
Total Playing Time: 30:56

Line-up

Keith Allen
James Bailey
Thomas Galandra
Anthony Michel
Timoth Seib