Holy Hell (Architects album)
Architects · 2018
42 min · 11 tracks · metalcore
A raw exploration of grief infused with relentless energy and intricate metalcore riffs that push emotional boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Holy Hell — This title track encapsulates the album's gripping confrontation with loss and despair, blending melodic elements with ferocious intensity.
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Doomsday — The song serves as a harrowing reflection on mortality and the inevitability of death, featuring dynamic shifts that mirror the tumultuous emotions expressed.
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Modern Misery — With its intricate instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics, this track examines contemporary struggles, showcasing the band's ability to blend heaviness with introspective moments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively channels grief into complex compositions and energetic performances, marking a strong entry in the metalcore genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid-fire drumming and intricate guitar riffs, setting a relentless pace.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts between melodic choruses and aggressive verses, creating an emotional contrast throughout.
- The final track features a gradual build-up that culminates in a powerful climax, allowing the record to close on an intense note.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cathartic release through intensity
- steady pacing with emotional depth
- reflective moments amidst aggression
- focused listening for personal growth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid emotional weight and tension
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2018, Holy Hell is Architects' first album following the tragic death of guitarist Tom Searle in 2016. This pivotal moment drove the band to channel their grief into a powerful and cathartic record, marking a significant evolution in their sound and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Parkway Drive· While She Sleeps· August Burns Red
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Death Is Not Defeat 3:45
- 2 Hereafter 4:15
- 3 Mortal After All 3:39
- 4 Holy Hell 4:13
- 5 Damnation 4:08
- 6 Royal Beggars 4:01
- 7 Modern Misery 4:13
- 8 Dying to Heal 3:50
- 9 The Seventh Circle 1:48
- 10 Doomsday 4:08
- 11 A Wasted Hymn 4:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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