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The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The 10th full-length studio release for British metalcore band Architects was produced by Dan Searle and guitarist Josh Middleton, with frontman Sam Carter providing additional production.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Oct 21, 2022
    80
    Granted, at some points it does feel a little unrelenting, but the sheer ferocity of this record illustrates a band intently focused on the future, and breaking through to the next level.
  2. 80
    This is an album that thrills in furious energy, but maintains a balance between light and shade via a deep understanding of dynamics.
  3. Oct 21, 2022
    80
    It’s a ferocious, fearless record from one of Britain’s best.
  4. Oct 21, 2022
    70
    This is a punchy record sure to spark some vital debates, as well as having a solid slew of crowd-pleasers.
  5. 70
    This is a band still keen to experiment – a flourishing ensemble ahead of the alternative music curve.
  6. 70
    The title and lyrics may scream apocalyptic gloom - Living is Killing Us, Doomscrolling, Born Again Pessimist - but there is an increasingly bright, infectious, power-glam polish to the band's sound. [Dec 2022, p.74]
  7. Oct 21, 2022
    60
    Architects have made another harmless, inconsequential rock album that’s worth spinning once or twice for curiosity, as there are some decent – dare I say great – moments here.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Oct 22, 2022
    7
    A 42-minute long brick of electronically-tinged modern metalcore and post-hardcore. Not offensive and definitely not bad, but the general lackA 42-minute long brick of electronically-tinged modern metalcore and post-hardcore. Not offensive and definitely not bad, but the general lack of musical progression across the record makes it the band's weakest set of tracks yet. Expand
  2. Oct 27, 2022
    7
    the classic symptoms of a broken spirit lacks vision and originality, most of the times playing safe arround what worked before. Most of thethe classic symptoms of a broken spirit lacks vision and originality, most of the times playing safe arround what worked before. Most of the tracks either seem cut-off material for FTTWTE and b-sides to that same album, or rushed songs just to fill the tracklist. The album falls short in pretty much every aspect, and it's a downgrade of the band's latest works. deep fake, when we were young and a new moral low ground would have been a better fit to FTTWTE, here they just seem a little bit out of place.

    Best tracks: deep fake, tear gas, a new moral low ground

    Worst tracks: spit the bone, born again pessimist, all the love in the world
    Expand
  3. Oct 23, 2022
    4
    Something about a similar synth bass and four the floor beat on most sections just leaves the album sounding underwhelming throughout. AnSomething about a similar synth bass and four the floor beat on most sections just leaves the album sounding underwhelming throughout. An Architects album for sure but of all the tracks, few greats. The change in style is welcomed from me but this just feels like a bunch of songs which did not reach full potential, some leftovers from FTTWTE seems likely here and more time in the stewing pot might have served them better. Feels like an album rushed out too quickly to justify more touring. Disappointing but I hope it does well for them and others do like it Expand