Architects: Daybreaker

Wow!! Talk about a comeback record. This is British metalcore/post hardcore band Architect’s fifth studio release and I would argue that it’s their best record to date. It’s a huge step up from their last record The Here and Now, which wasn’t that good compared to 2009’s Hollow Crown, which is the only other contender for best Architects record. This is a really fucking killer record. It’s as bone-crushingly heavy as Hollow Crown was, while making the more post hardcore elements of their music sound more mature and not pansy like most other meat and potatoes post hardcore bands.

They really use the weapons in their arsenal sparingly and conservatively as to not overkill certain aspects of it. They’ve got intense breakdowns, but not every five minutes and when they bring…they fucking bring it. “These Colours Don’t Run” features a breakdown where everything stops and Sam Carter shouts, “You fucking pigs” and then all hell breaks loose. It’s amazing. The title track is a scorcher along with many others. They also tried to go into more of a ballad-y territory on the last record and didn’t really succeed at it, but they tried again and I think they pulled it off.

This is really a great record. Not only that, but it’s the record that this band needed to make and it’s the kind of record the band should’ve made in 2012. Brilliant step up for the band. Not sure of any American shows. I’m sure they’ll be all over the UK this summer. I just hope I can see them sometime soon because I’m a real fan of this band and I kinda forgot about them after The Here and Now, but this record reminded me about why I love this band so much. They bear all of the hallmarks of a post hardcore band, but these guys actually have some balls in their music and in their playing, which is what sets them apart from the majority (and I love a lot of post hardcore bands myself, but we gotta be honest in that a lot of it is very meat and potatoes and a lot of it lacks balls).

Definite;y check this record out. It’s fucking fantastic!

Luke Helker

The Agonist: Prisoners

Finally, its felt like almost a decade since I heard 2009’s Lullabies for a Dormant Mind by Canada’s own the Agonist and now we have the newest release from the band. Whats amazing is that this is only the third full length studio release from the band, yet the new heights this band have achieved are remarkable. They’ve really grown as a band and honed in on the strong suits of their sound to make this new record.

They also made some additions to the band’s lineup. We now have new guitarist Pascal “Paco” Jobin entering into the mix and apparently he wrote a lot of the songs on this record. He shreds like a mother fucker a lot, which Danny doesn’t. Danny isn’t a bad guitarist, but his style of playing is very reserved and with the flow of the music, while Paco’s is a bit more ostentatious and open. Having these two juxtaposing elements in the band though really helps to add depth to their sound and the guitars are frequently playing opposing riffs that mirror one another such. It’s actually quite brilliant.

And finally, the voluptuous Alissa White-Gluz sounds as awesome as her body is. Her singing has gotten more refined and the clean vocals are just has captivating as her aggressive vocals. The band sounds tighter than ever and their songwriting has improved ten fold. Really good stuff. They recently finished up a tour with Alestorm and Kamelot, but as of now, I’m not sure about any summer tours, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

This is all a very natural progression for a band like this, but I’m surprised I enjoyed the album as much as I did. I didn’t have low expectations, but they really stepped up and delivered on this record. It surely won’t disappoint any fans out there. When the album hits shelves in a few days, I highly recommend purchasing it. It’s a possible contender for the top 20.

Luke Helker

Under the Bridge

Virginian punk-reggae rockers Under the Bridge have a new album coming out in late July called Squirt!

Having been around since 2006, this band has really grown and matured as a band even though their music is still pretty silly. It has that tongue in cheek humor that Reel Big Fish has in simplified short songs, but it sounds more like Sublime playing old Green Day tunes. It can be relaxed and chill, or be played at breakneck speeds. There are also some moments where the guitars totally shred. It comes out of nowhere and it really gets “sexifies” the album. It gives it that last X factor to make it a great album. I enjoyed this album quite a lot and I feel that you all would too when/if you hear it. If you’re a fan of some of that 90’s punk rock, Sublime, or Reel Big Fish types of music then this is right up your alley. It’s got elements of all three in their music.

The album was also mixed very well. It sounds raw, but tight. Having never seen this band live, I can’t say what a love show is like, but I’m sure it’s a lot of fun. They seem like a band who can really own a crowd and get the crowd moving. I think 2012 can be a good year for these guys of you give them the chance. The musicianship is good, the songs are cleverly written, and they’re really good, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

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If I get the bands permission, I’ll post a link for where you can download the album, but I highly recommend you purchase this album. It comes out July 27th. I’ll see you all then.

Luke Helker