For Those That Wish to Exist
by Architects
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2021
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 80
  3. Negative: 15 out of 80
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Atomic87
    Feb 27, 2021
    2
    Whilst I'm all for bands innovating and coming up with new sounds, the "new" sound Architects have chosen for this album is so generic and copycat that this is a real disappointment. Coming off the back of technical masterpieces in their last few albums with a guitar focused sound, For Those That Wish To Exist strips all that away to provide a vocal driven album with a spattering of powerWhilst I'm all for bands innovating and coming up with new sounds, the "new" sound Architects have chosen for this album is so generic and copycat that this is a real disappointment. Coming off the back of technical masterpieces in their last few albums with a guitar focused sound, For Those That Wish To Exist strips all that away to provide a vocal driven album with a spattering of power chords and GCSE level breakdowns that I struggle to call "metal".… Expand
  2. JoseofCatarina
    Feb 26, 2021
    3
    I'll always be a diehard Architects fan. But, this album sounds way too much like a Bring Me The Horizon album and not enough like an Architects album. After hearing the first singles, I was reluctant, but still hopeful. I was hoping they could keep these radio rock songs, and still have room in the album for some hard hitting Architects songs, but I was mistaken. This album didn't have aI'll always be a diehard Architects fan. But, this album sounds way too much like a Bring Me The Horizon album and not enough like an Architects album. After hearing the first singles, I was reluctant, but still hopeful. I was hoping they could keep these radio rock songs, and still have room in the album for some hard hitting Architects songs, but I was mistaken. This album didn't have a single heavy song, or even an homage to the old Architects sound. There was a few songs with decent riffs like Goliath, or Animals, but ultimately the heaviness was overshadowed by soft and lackluster verses.

    This album ripped off of, BMTH and Starset (two of my favorite bands) and I still hate it. I wanted to hear Architects, but unfortunately I didn't get Architects. I got a watered down version of a once great band, trying to conform to a genre that doesn't fit them.

    I'll continue to support these guys, because their Holy Hell made such an impact in my life, but this album just ain't it.    … Expand
  3. ThunderCrumpet
    Feb 26, 2021
    3
    Created an account specifically for this, but man was this album disappointing for me. And it makes me sad that this is potentially going to get bundled in with The Here And Now as a miss, when that album was far superior to this in terms of changing it up.

    There's no duality of heavy, impactful and tasteful riffs to contrast with the easier going sound and melodies and it makes for a    Created an account specifically for this, but man was this album disappointing for me. And it makes me sad that this is potentially going to get bundled in with The Here And Now as a miss, when that album was far superior to this in terms of changing it up.

    There's no duality of heavy, impactful and tasteful riffs to contrast with the easier going sound and melodies and it makes for a very one dimensional sounding album. Which when the album is 15 songs and just shy of an hour long makes for some dull listening. I can honestly say I have no idea what reviewers are seeing in this album, after multiple listens I'm clutching at straws and I want to love it, but just can't hear what others are hearing!    … Expand
  4. C3realkillah
    Feb 28, 2021
    3
    Finally listening to it and honestly I don't see what people see in this album. It's so generic and boring even when a song sounds promising it just turns into radio rock. Haven't had this much trouble getting through an album since i forced myself to listen to suicide silence self titled album.
  5. bernitdown
    May 13, 2021
    0
    Architects has been my favorite band for almost a decade now, for a multitude of reasons. They've successfully mixed musical technicality, ridiculously heavy breakdowns, beautiful melodies, and lyrics that truly convey the emotion that inspired them. All of this is enough to make one of the greatest metal bands of all time, without even mentioning Sam's unparalleled vocals, the entireArchitects has been my favorite band for almost a decade now, for a multitude of reasons. They've successfully mixed musical technicality, ridiculously heavy breakdowns, beautiful melodies, and lyrics that truly convey the emotion that inspired them. All of this is enough to make one of the greatest metal bands of all time, without even mentioning Sam's unparalleled vocals, the entire band's fantastic stances on environmental and political issues, and the tragic story of loss, grief, and triumph behind their latest and greatest albums.

    I say all of this to assure the reader that this isn't a bitter, hateful review coming from a place of contempt, because I really wish I had something nice to say about this album. Unfortunately, from start to finish, FTWWTE is a collection of uninspired, painfully generic riffs and melodies that are utterly indistinguishable from radio/arena rock outfits. Sam's unique and irreplaceable vocals are, for some reason, pushed aside for whiny, whisper-like choruses and the occasional semi-aggressive yell; the intricate guitar work has been replaced by simple chug rhythms and power chords; the drums have been simplified to Rammstein-like kick-snare-kick-snare repetitions (e.g. Animals) and thoughtless pop-rock anthem beats; and the list goes on.

    I have given this album multiple play-throughs and found that there is genuinely nothing redeemable about any song on it. It's truly heartbreaking to watch one of the greatest bands of all time suddenly decide to "reinvent" themselves into something so generic and forgettable. A lot of fans are quick to jump to the defense of a band changing their sound by calling it "evolving" or something along those lines. Well, evolution doesn't imply progression or improvement; it's just a process of change in response to environmental pressures. So hopefully this review pushes these guys to "evolve" yet again - this time toward something which utilizes all of the high-level talent that this album almost gleefully buries.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 2, 2021
    70
    The Brighton metalcore band turn their attention both outwards and inwards: ferocious, barely contained rage directed towards global dysfunction and the looming, ever-increasing threats to mankind and the notion of personal responsibility, taking control of destiny. [Apr 2021, p.86]
  2. The Guardian
    Feb 26, 2021
    60
    For Those Who Wish to Exist proves Architects’ ability to oscillate between thoughtful, interesting, finely wrought compositions and gleefully hulking exercises in metal obviousness is still intact. The fact it often feels stultifying regardless proves turning climate anxiety into gratifying entertainment is a very difficult art to master.
    Read full review
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 26, 2021
    60
    Essentially, this is an album aimed at everyone – which could explain why it’s so long and inconsistent – and while For Those That Wish to Exist is far from perfect, I do feel everyone can take some good things away from it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »