Architects are a British post-metalcore band that have used their ninth studio album, For Those Who Wish To Exist, to ask the question: are we treating the planet as nicely as we could/should?

Sustainability is not an issue Architects take lightly. The band has worked hard to ensure their merch production and touring are as wasteless as possible. The band believes a change in sustainability will not be mandated by the government but rather a change that needs to happen within society; everyone should do their part to treat our planet with as much respect as possible.

For Those Who Wish To Exist begins with ‘Do You Dream of Armageddon’, a perfect album opener. The song sounds as though it was made to be played during an action movie’s opening credits. While not every song on the record is quite as dramatic as this one, it sets up the album’s tone.

Moving into the second track, ‘Black Lungs’, Architects holds onto that cinematic sound. The heavy drums make the song and are carried into ‘Giving Blood’, making the listener want to headbang along to the beat. The chorus is very hopeful and almost inspirational.

‘Dead Butterflies’ might be one of the most metal titles ever, and the song certainly lives up to it. Architects have perfected a sound that is very vivid while still maintaining their coveted metalcore sound. This song stands out on the record as it holds the listener’s attention with a great hook.

‘An Ordinary Extinction’ yet again proves how talented drummer Dan Searle is. The general feel and sound of the song are extraordinarily haunting, accomplished by the drums.

‘Impermanence’ features Parkway Drive’s frontman, Winston McCall. The song carries a bit of hopefulness while it stresses the importance of sustainability. Architects make sure the listener is paying attention to the message with a great song that will stick with you.

‘Flight Without Feathers’ is one of the softer songs on For Those Who Wish To Exist. The song is obviously still very much a metalcore song but is notably softer than its predecessors. The track is almost ballad-like, but it cannot truly be a ballad due to its metal roots.

‘Little Wonder’ begins with some more amazing drumming; this drum bit focuses on the cymbals. The song features half of the British rock duo Royal Blood, Mike Kerr. The song delivers the message that it is not too late to save our planet, but we need to act quickly.

‘Animals’ reflects pure defeat and hopelessness. These emotions are reflected in the sound and lyrics perfectly. The next track, ‘Libertine’ holds the same heavyweight and tone lyrically. The instrumentals of the song are a bit lighter while remaining serious.

‘Goliath’ is the final feature of the record. Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro helps Architects carry out the most stereotypical metal song on the record. The song has that well-known, classic metal drum beat that almost sounds like rapid-fire gunshots, and that really makes it.

‘Demi God’ is complete hopelessness, pure defeat. The song is nothing less than amazing; like a handful of the songs on this record, this song should be played in an action movie. ‘Meteor’ conveys that same feeling of pure movie soundtrack gold. The song oozes just the right amount of drama to convey the message that we should all be doing better.

The closing track ‘Dying Is Absolutely Safe’ is home to strings, a welcome surprise on a metal record. For Those Who Wish To Exist is perfectly closed with this absolutely ethereal track. The song crescendos beautifully, reminding the listener that there is still hope even when it does not feel that way.

Architects have done their message of encouraging sustainability justice. For Those Who Wish To Exist accomplished the goal that it set out to accomplish: inform the listener of the dire situation that the planet will be in if we are not careful while providing the listener with an enjoyable listen.