What we have here tonight at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is very much the present and future of British metal. Often pronounced dead by various factions, tonight is clear evidence that it’s thriving as Brighton’s Architects spearhead a tour of three UK bands.
There is a decent enough crowd on hand as Malevolence move up to the next step in their careers. Having spent a decade-plus laying waste to every club and pub in the land, they proudly deliver a savage set, proving themselves not at all out of their depth in arenas. The set is mainly taken from their latest album Malicious Intent and judging by the ferocious pit that develops, they most definitely would have gained a few more Welsh fans this evening.
A few hundred more people have wandered in just as the mysterious ensemble that is Sleep Token take to the stage. The guessing games go on as to who could be behind this blend of dark shoegaze misery and tech-metal breakdowns, but I’m not sure if this crowd were completely ready for them. They want something to move to, and Sleep Token oblige in parts, but otherwise people seem happy to simply observe the show. Still, this band really are something to behold in the live arena: with a sonic outpouring of emotion that other bands only dream about achieving, they are the perfect accompaniment to the headliners.
As Architects launch into Black Lungs from 2021’s For Those That Wish To Exist, it’s clear that tonight’s crowd are right up for this. Flanked by a stage-size screen this is a far cry from the Architects that took its influence from bands like Converge and toured the toilet scene in the mid-00s – around 2014, they became a fully polished metal juggernaut. This is evident in a setlist which ignores anything prior to then, Gravedigger being the oldest track rolled out tonight.
Gone With The Wind comes with its now customary tribute to their fallen comrade Tom Searle and never loses its passion. Vocalist Sam Carter has established himself as quite the arena-metal vocalist with a notably upbeat performance, which in turn kept the Cardiff crowd at optimum intensity throughout. A quick break signals the encore which kicks off with the spiky When We Were Young before they cap things off with the epic Animals.
The future of metal is looking promising with this new breed at the helm and don’t let the naysayers tell you any different.
Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Thurs 5 May
words CHRIS ANDREWS photos ED MASON
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