Hollow Crown [PA] (CD - 2009)

Personnel: Sam Carter (vocals); Tom Searle (guitar, keyboards); Tim Hill (guitar); Dan Searle (drums, programming).

At least two different bands that emerged in the 2000s have had the word "architects" in their name. One is the Architects (formerly the Gadjits), a Kansas City, MO-based outfit that started out playing ska but evolved into a mixture of hard rock, punk, and rock & roll. The other is Architects, who don't use the word "the" in their name (simply Architects, not the Architects) and are a metalcore combo from Brighton, England. Metalcore is the focus of Hollow Crown, which finds them continuing to favor the angular approach that they favored on their previous release Ruin. Architects haven't softened their attack since Ruin; they are as ferocious as ever, and vicious, head-clobbering brutality prevails on scorching tunes such as "We're All Alone," "Dead March," "Numbers Count for Nothing," and "Early Grave." Ruin had a take-no-prisoners policy, and the same goes for Hollow Crown. Although math metal and math rock are influences, Hollow Crown isn't ultra-technical -- angular, yes, but not ultra-technical -- and even though this early 2009 release has its melodic moments and includes some clean vocals along with lead singer Sam Carter's tortured screaming, it doesn't fall into the screamo/post-hardcore category. Those who found Ruin to be decent but not exceptional will probably feel the same way about Hollow Crown, which isn't a huge step forward for the British band but is still a worthwhile example of angular metalcore. ~ Alex Henderson minimize