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Metalcore · Alternative Metal · Brighton, UK

Architects

Architects turned grief, politics, technical metalcore and arena- sized ambition into one of the most influential modern heavy music catalogues, moving from chaotic mathcore beginnings to festival- headline scale without losing their emotional core.

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Formed
2004
Origin
Brighton, UK
Albums
11
Genre
Metalcore
Latest Album
The Sky, The Earth & All Between
Background

About Architects

Architects formed in Brighton in 2004, originally built around the creative partnership of twin brothers Tom Searle and Dan Searle. Their early albums were chaotic, technical and rooted in mathcore and metalcore, but the band gradually sharpened that sound into something more direct and emotionally forceful. Sam Carter joined as vocalist in 2007, and his voice became one of modern metalcore’s most recognisable sounds.

The band’s breakthrough creative run began with albums like Hollow Crown, Daybreaker and Lost Forever // Lost Together. These records pushed Architects toward a more focused style: huge low-tuned riffs, technical precision, environmental and political lyrics, and choruses that could hit as hard emotionally as the breakdowns did physically.

All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us became one of their defining albums in 2016, but it was released during a devastating period. Tom Searle, the band’s guitarist, main songwriter and lyrical centre, died from cancer later that year aged 28. The aftermath shaped Holy Hell, a grief-stricken album that turned loss into some of the band’s most powerful music. Songs like Doomsday, Royal Beggars and Hereafter made the album feel both personal and enormous.

Since then, Architects have continued to evolve. For Those That Wish to Exist expanded their sound into arena-sized metal and gave them a UK number one album. The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit leaned further into electronics and industrial textures, while The Sky, The Earth & All Between reconnected with heavier modern metalcore energy. Few bands from their generation have changed as much while keeping such a strong identity.

Ranked

Top 10 Architects Songs

Ranked by songwriting craft, emotional impact, live legacy and how well each track represents a key Architects era.

01
Doomsday
Holy Hell
Doomsday is the emotional centre of Architects’ story. Built from material left by Tom Searle and completed after his death, the song carries a grief that feels raw without becoming melodramatic. Sam Carter’s vocal performance is devastating, and the chorus became one of the band’s defining live moments.
2017
02
Gone with the Wind
All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
One of the most powerful songs from the Tom Searle era. Gone with the Wind combines crushing riffs with lyrics that became even more heartbreaking after Tom’s death. It captures Architects at their most technical, urgent and emotionally overwhelming.
2016
03
Animals
For Those That Wish to Exist
Animals is the song that pushed Architects into a new arena-sized era. The riff is simple by their standards, but it is massive, and the chorus is built to carry across festival fields. It proved the band could simplify without losing impact.
2020
04
Gravedigger
Lost Forever // Lost Together
Gravedigger is one of the clearest examples of Architects becoming a truly great modern metalcore band. The riffs are sharp, the structure is tight and the ending hits with total force. It remains one of their best live-openers and a perfect gateway into their 2010s sound.
2014
05
Royal Beggars
Holy Hell
One of the most emotionally direct songs on Holy Hell. Royal Beggars balances melody and weight beautifully, with a chorus that feels huge without sanding off the pain underneath it. It is Architects at their most human.
2018
06
Naysayer
Lost Forever // Lost Together
Naysayer is sharp, furious and politically charged, with one of the band’s most satisfying breakdowns. It helped establish Lost Forever // Lost Together as a major step forward and remains one of the best examples of their technical-but-accessible writing.
2014
07
Hereafter
Holy Hell
Hereafter turns grief into something almost cathartic. The electronics, riffs and chorus all work together without one part overpowering the other. It showed that Architects could continue after Tom Searle’s death without pretending nothing had changed.
2018
08
These Colours Don’t Run
Daybreaker
A key song in the band’s political era, These Colours Don’t Run helped Architects sharpen their identity into something more confrontational and focused. The closing section became one of their most quoted moments, and the track still feels furious years later.
2012
09
Black Lungs
For Those That Wish to Exist
Black Lungs is one of the strongest tracks from the band’s arena-metal era. It keeps the climate-anxiety themes of the album while delivering a punchier structure and a darker sense of momentum. It works both as a message song and a live track.
2020
10
Whiplash
The Sky, The Earth & All Between
Whiplash represents Architects reconnecting with a more aggressive modern-metal edge while keeping the scale of their later work. It is tight, heavy and direct, making it a strong entry point into their newest era.
2024

For the full ranking see the best Architects songs guide.

Discography

Architects Albums: Where to Start

Key albums with honest notes on who each one is for.

2006
Nightmares
Start here if: you want the raw beginning
The debut is chaotic, technical and far less polished than the band’s later work. It is mainly for completists who want to hear the early mathcore foundations before Sam Carter joined.
2009
Hollow Crown
Start here if: you want early classic Architects
The album where Architects’ early technical sound really comes together. It is rawer than the later records but remains one of the most loved releases among long-time fans.
2012
Daybreaker
Start here if: you want the political era
Daybreaker sharpens the band’s lyrical and musical identity, with These Colours Don’t Run standing as one of their most important tracks. It is a key bridge into their peak 2010s run.
2014
Lost Forever // Lost Together
⭐ Best starting point: modern metalcore
A huge step up in focus, production and songwriting. Gravedigger, Naysayer and Broken Cross make this one of the best entry points into Architects’ classic sound.
2016
All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
⭐ Best starting point overall
The defining Architects album for many fans. It is bleak, technical, furious and emotionally loaded, with Gone with the Wind, A Match Made in Heaven and Gravity among its standouts.
2018
Holy Hell
⭐ Best emotional entry point
Written in the aftermath of Tom Searle’s death, Holy Hell is the band’s grief album. Doomsday, Royal Beggars and Hereafter make it one of the most powerful records in modern metalcore.
2021
For Those That Wish to Exist
Start here if: you want arena Architects
The band’s most commercially successful era, led by Animals and Black Lungs. It is bigger, cleaner and more accessible, ideal for listeners coming from modern alternative metal.
2025
The Sky, The Earth & All Between
Start here if: you want current Architects
The band’s latest studio album, produced by Jordan Fish and released via Epitaph. Whiplash, Blackhole and Curse point toward a heavier, sharper modern Architects sound.
History

Architects: Key Moments

2004
Formation in Brighton
Architects form in Brighton, England, built around brothers Tom Searle and Dan Searle. Their early sound is chaotic, technical and rooted in mathcore and metalcore.
2007
Sam Carter joins
Sam Carter joins as vocalist, giving Architects one of the most recognisable voices in modern metalcore. His arrival helps shape the identity that defines the band’s classic era.
2009
Hollow Crown earns cult status
Hollow Crown becomes a key early release and remains beloved by long-time fans. It captures the band’s technical side before the later records become broader and more emotionally focused.
2014
Lost Forever // Lost Together breaks through
The band release Lost Forever // Lost Together, widely viewed as a major turning point. Songs like Gravedigger and Naysayer push Architects toward the front of the modern metalcore scene.
2016
All Our Gods and Tom Searle’s death
All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us arrives as one of the band’s strongest albums. Later that year, guitarist and songwriter Tom Searle dies from cancer aged 28, changing the band’s story forever.
2017
Doomsday is released
Doomsday is completed after Tom’s death and becomes one of Architects’ most important songs. It bridges the band’s past and future while giving fans a powerful moment of collective grief.
2018
Holy Hell turns grief into catharsis
Holy Hell arrives as the band’s first album after Tom Searle’s death. It is both a tribute and a statement of survival, with Hereafter, Royal Beggars and Doomsday becoming key tracks.
2021
For Those That Wish to Exist reaches number one
For Those That Wish to Exist expands Architects’ sound into a more arena-sized direction and becomes a major commercial milestone, led by Animals and Black Lungs.
2023
Josh Middleton leaves
Guitarist Josh Middleton leaves the band after several years as a major part of Architects’ post-Tom Searle era. The band continues as a four-piece into the next album cycle.
2025
The Sky, The Earth & All Between
Architects release The Sky, The Earth & All Between, their eleventh studio album, produced by Jordan Fish and featuring tracks including Whiplash, Blackhole and Curse.
Test Yourself

Architects Trivia Quiz

Five questions — how many can you get right?

Where to Start

Best Architects Songs by Listening Mood

Not sure where to begin? Use this as your entry point.

First song ever
Doomsday
Heaviest classic-era track
Gravedigger
Most emotional
Gone with the Wind
Arena entry point
Animals
Best grief-era song
Royal Beggars
Political Architects
These Colours Don’t Run
Modern heavy track
Whiplash
Festival-sized chorus
Black Lungs
Questions

Architects FAQs

When did Architects form?
Architects formed in Brighton, England in 2004. The band was originally built around brothers Tom Searle and Dan Searle.
Who are the current members of Architects?
The current members are Sam Carter on vocals, Dan Searle on drums, Alex Dean on bass and Adam Christianson on guitar.
What is Architects' most famous song?
Doomsday is arguably Architects’ most famous and emotionally important song. Animals, Gone with the Wind, Royal Beggars and Gravedigger are also among their best-known tracks.
What is the best Architects album to start with?
All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us is the best starting point for the classic Architects sound. Holy Hell is the best emotional entry point, while For Those That Wish to Exist is best for their bigger, arena-sized era.
Who was Tom Searle?
Tom Searle was Architects’ guitarist, founding member and main songwriter. He died from cancer in 2016 aged 28. His writing and legacy remain central to the band’s identity.
What is Architects' latest album?
Architects’ latest studio album is The Sky, The Earth & All Between, released in 2025. It follows The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit.
Can I play a metal guessing game with Architects tracks?
Yes — RockHeardle includes Architects tracks. You can also try Metal Heardle for heavier songs.