The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit
by Architects
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2022
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. DIY Magazine
    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. Kerrang!
    Oct 21, 2022
    80
    It’s a ferocious, fearless record from one of Britain’s best.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 21, 2022
    80
    This is an album that thrills in furious energy, but maintains a balance between light and shade via a deep understanding of dynamics.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 24, 2022
    70
    This is a band still keen to experiment – a flourishing ensemble ahead of the alternative music curve.
  6. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 24, 2022
    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. Clash Music
    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.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 4 out of 13
  1. MajestikMelvill
    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… Full Review »
  2. mcpooja
    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.… Full Review »
  3. SmashingReviews
    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    … Full Review »
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