Venue: Home Club, Singapore
Date: 13th September 2012
Promoter: Reconstrux Booking
Review by: Fadhil R.
Special Thanks: Jai and the Reconstrux Booking team
Photos by Cliff Y.
For those who have waited half a decade with fingers crossed, have no fear, as it was the right time for a few chaotic screams to be heard. Simply ferocious and brutal on stage, and known for producing as many albums as they possibly could within a few years, Architects is one of those high-tempo energetic bands with an ability to produce top-notch live performances you just can’t ignore. Singapore was one of their destinations they were touring at and I gladly welcome them with birds flying high. Performing at a well-known, tight area in the busy town of City Hall, Home Club was the perfect place for any fan of Architects to get up close and feel the wrath of their very own hardcore music. As some might say, this show takes no prisoners.
The boys were really friendly, exchanging words, and giving handshakes as they made their way through the crowd and onto the mini stage, where the fans were already swarming all around. After settling into a cozy routine of soundcheck, the band kept their noses up waiting for that upbeat mood to fill them in. The sound of wind chimes was heard as the introduction and I was saying to myself, “I’ve heard the new album man, and it’s the shit.” Offering a collection of distinct, emotional and self-contained songs from their recent album, “The Bitter End” followed by “Alpha Omega” were brutal with each note being played, as some of the fans were busting their beer cans open to start the ‘party’. Without hesitation, ‘Dethroned’ created a real pulse-quickening of excitement to a point that even the crowd were trying to get to the front stage. The band was fighting fits by then and it’s hard to tell whether they are comfortable with the venue as they were vulnerable to groping and leg-hugging I might say. Well, not that anyone seemed to care about that, really. Architects’ rampant energy was almost too much for some headbangers to handle but “Numbers Count For Nothing” had fists pumping and tiny circle pits in appreciation.
“Learn To Live” and “Daybreak” unleashed a sweet memory of stunning riffs and clean vocals that were more powerful, live. Time goes in a flash and epic is everything we hoped it would be. Unfortunately, it was tough luck for someone who managed to sort out her head in a nasty fall involving a mosh pit and a douchebag. Thankfully, she was alright! Even when blood streamed down her face, she didn’t stop, knowing the fact that leaving the gig halfway is blasphemous. She was a beauty, though. Get in there!
Honestly, I used to really like these guys once upon a time, so it was a pleasure to hear them play songs that I used to listen to a lot. When it comes down to it though, there are a million bands out there that sound like Architects and none of them are doing anything interesting. Apart from that, I challenged the band to get out of their comfort zone, and who would have guessed that they did it precisely remarkably. Vocalist Sam Carter was the bright spark for their whole set as he kept himself clung on to a large speaker that was hanging from the ceiling like a boss. Flailing his mic around at the faithful, he screamed those words, “I JUST CAN’T WIN!” and “Follow The Water” was enough to make you go mad-shit mental and wanting to smash plates in your face. The boys injected strong melodies with “Delete, Rewind” and “Outsider’s Heart” to keep the material memorable and rousing. There’s something strange however, and it proved more than a little distracting as the crew members were unfazed by the ongoing audio problems with the mic. The band did pull it together nevertheless, and their restless energy was something of an upswing with “Devil’s Island” ending their set, somehow or rather.
It was heartening to see such a healthy turnout, especially on a Thursday. Even the opening act by homegrown band, Avalanche, proved they were ones to watch too earlier on. Tres Empre, hailing all the way from Kuala Lumpur, was also slated to open for the band but was unfortunately held up at the border, which delayed their arrival. The crowd was still on their feet to keep their positivity and energy for Architects. It’s not that the opening act was terrible by any stretch, or that no one was moving around. It’s just that everything sounded totally safe, so most everyone thought.
There was a massive chant that rang around Home Club as the crowd was mercilessly demanding an encore. As soon the tune of “Early Grave” kicked off, “These Colours Don’t Run” made the breakthrough by inviting a few radical events happened right after. The audience were wasting themselves by trying to tuck into some stage dives from tight spaces and crowdsurfing over to the front, which actually worked. A sophisticated turn for the vocalist in particular that I didn’t know existed in him. As rabid fans singing along to their tunes embraced him, the mic sound issues persisted and messed it all up yet again. Sam being a frustrated figure, reignited the crowd with his stage dive, pulling the stage crews by the side to join him as well. That was a joy to watch and admire.
I have to admit that Architects not only have the music, but the passion to fill the venue with their brilliant showmanship altogether. As the house lights slowly brightened up the place, it was a signal that the set ended with smiles and sweat all over. There may be times when you’ve watched a band and imagined what it’d be like to hang out with them. To be honest, I would prefer to stay in a crowd and do whatever I want. Keep it low, enjoy the greatness of music.
Kudos to RECONSTRUX for bringing them in!