Album Review: Archetypes Collide – Archetypes Collide (Fearless Records)

Arizona upstarts Archetypes Collide — Kyle Pastor (vocals), Brandon Baker and Jared Knister (guitars), Ky Sanders (bass), and Tyler Flamm (drums) — have quickly established themselves as a band unafraid to blur the lines between safety and innovation in heavy music. A collection of singles and EPs has drawn a devoted fanbase and now, the band will release their self-titled full-length debut on March 31st via Fearless Records.

Inventive and interesting throughout, Archetypes Collide are cut from the modern cloth of bands looking to twist the rock and metal formula into something both challenging and captivating. Delivering anthemic tunes that blend pop, rock, electronica, hip-hop, and metal, all with the purpose of connecting to a broader audience.

There’s no denying that will work for Archetypes Collide as this self-titled debut has a lot of mass appealing elements. Yet, it is still rooted in the heavier camp and constantly surprises by being notably intense. All while having an underlying anthemic quality that means many will find themselves engaged throughout.

The challenging aspects also come from the mass appealing elements as, depending on your taste, you may find yourself struggling with aspects of the album. The dramatic pop sensibilities and the electronica infusions for example. Yet, with an open mind, it’s impossible to not appreciate how anthemic a lot of this album is. Modern thinking delivered by a talented group of people.

From the punchy opener of Parasite, to the heartfelt power of What If I Fall, to the gigantic energy of My Own Device (one of the best tracks on the album), to the scathing heaviness of Suffocate Me. The first half of the album delivers on expectations and hopes as Archetypes Collide show just why they have so many listeners gravitating to them already.

Something that is surely only going to increase as this album strides confidently out into the world.

The second half of the album keeps things strong as we get tracks like Destiny, with its dark cinematic tone. Then there is the abrasive heavy speed of Deep End, the stupendously catchy Paranoid, and the big finale of Love Again. Another set of tracks that showcase the creativity of this band. If you had any doubts about their rise to prominence, it will be well and truly put to bed upon hearing this album.

Archetypes Collide – Archetypes Collide Track Listing:

1. Parasite
2. Fade Away
3. Counterfeit
4. What If I Fall
5. My Own Device
6. Suffocate Me
7. Destiny
8. Deep End
9. Separate
10. Paranoid
11. Silence
12. Love Again

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