Single Slam – Modern Misery by Architects (Holy Hell)

Architects fans have just a few more days to wait for the release of the band’s new album, Holy Hell. To tide you over they have released the 4th single from that album called Modern Misery.

Holy Hell will be out on the 9th of November via Epitaph Records marking the band’s 8th studio album. It will also be the first since the passing of guitarist, Tom Searle. It was his untimely death that inspired the first couple tracks from Holy Hell. Two excellent songs looked at grief and continuing on in a powerful way with Doomsday and then Hereafter. You can read our thoughts on those songs by following the links. You can also read our thoughts on the 3rd single, Royal Beggars, here.

The British metalcore icons have really set a high bar with the songs from Holy Hell. It is looking like being a cracking album. Architects are Sam Carter on vocals and Alex Searle on drums and programming. Alex Dean is on the bass while Adam Christianson is on rhythm guitars. Lastly, on lead guitars it’s Josh Middleton.

Modern Misery is another great track. It is just over 4 minutes long and is a seriously angry track. It starts off with a chugging riff and roared vocals. Drums join in and kick the song off. It has a deep, bass heavy chug to the whole thing. Going for punishing heaviness in form rather than speed. Lyrically it deals with modern society, it’s weaknesses and how disappointingly meek and useless mankind has become. At least that is how I take it.

Lines like “seven billion hungry ghosts, just a parasite killing it’s host” or “There’s not enough water in the world to wash the blood from our hands” hit hard and speak truth. the verses of the song see the pace and intensity pick up with blasting drums and a neat lead guitar melody. It builds and builds but rather than exploding for a chorus, it fades off to a more melodic section. It is well sung, still with plenty of fire, and a nice ringing guitar melody.

After the second chorus they break back into the slamming groove of the start while Carter roars out lines. It is a really heavy section of slowed down groove that is sure to get heads banging. The last few lines are delivered over guitar melody bringing an end to a supremely heavy and powerful song.

Modern Misery is great. Heavy but with groove. The instruments have a real crunch to them and you can’t help but bang your head. The lyrics are furious and delivered with venom. The chorus still have plenty of melody and catchiness to them. Great effort and just another sign of how strong Holy Hell is likely to be.

Modern Misery is out now on all the usual streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify. Preorder a copy of Holy Hell from the band’s website here, or from here. Find out more about Architects at their website, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.