Deaf Havana @ Manchester Academy 2
Tuesday April 24, 2012 

By Frances Roach

Thursday December 15, 2011

Review by Frances Roach

Photography by Danielle Booth

Support from: Deaf Havana, Tek-One, Heights

A near full capacity Academy 2 sees Brighton metalcore five-piece Architects storm their way through a blistering set of songs old and new, with audience following suit. Starting with new single ‘Devil’s Island’ off their anticipated upcoming release, and continuing through with a pleasant mix of songs from previous albums such as ‘Learn To Live’, ‘Dethroned’ and ‘Delete, Rewind’, the centre of the crowd is at their fullest energy- pits erupting and the majority of the crowd in full participation throughout.

The highlight section of the set is when the band slow it down (slightly) before playing ‘An Open Letter To Myself’ and crowd favourite and best song of the night in terms of reception, ‘Heartburn’, where frontman Sam Carter asks for as many people as possible to get on their friends’ shoulders, reminiscent to the atmosphere seen at the typical summer festivals. This is successfully achieved, as a relatively good proportion of the crowd is elevated during the performance, passionately singing the words back to the band on stage.

Following up with ‘Day In, Day Out’, the first track off of their last release, The Here And Now, they leave the the stage with the attentive audience practically screaming for an encore. Returning with two final songs ‘Hollow Crown’, taken from the album of the same name and finally ‘Follow The Water’, it is evident that Architects have staying power. Fans seems extremely pleased, with clothing intact albeit covered in their own sweat (and most likely others).

A very energetic and exciting performance all round.

3.5/5

www.facebook.com/architectsuk

Saturday December 17, 2011

Written by Frances Roach

Below are my top 10 albums that you (hopefully) will have checked out in 2011. If not, I’d advise you to get to it!

It is not in any particular order and this is just based on my opinion/ my personal tastes. There are so many I have missed off the list that I have heard great things about but I just haven’t gotten round to giving them a listen.

So here it goes…

1. letlive.- Fake History

Epitaph

2. Rise Against- Endgame

Interscope/DGC

3. The Wonder Years- Suburbia, I’ve Given You My All….

Hopeless Records

4. Deaf Havana- Fools & Worthless Liars

BMG

5. I Am The Avalanche- Avalanche United

I Surrender Records

6. A Loss For Words- No Sanctuary

Rise Records

7. New Found Glory- Radiosurgery

Epitaph

8. Close Your Eyes- Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts

Victory Records

9. Polar Bear Club- Clash Battle Guilt Pride

Bridge 9

10. Jack’s Mannequin- People & Things

Sire Records

Reblog with your own top 10!