Why should you give “Dying Is Absolutely Safe” a chance? We often hear the term “sell-out” nowadays, when a band suddenly makes a drastic change to their familiar sound. It’s hard to do justice, as there are fans who constantly demand something new, and others who expect the familiar sound and feel betrayed when they get something different. I myself have been on the hate train in some of these cases. Although I still feel justified in my dissatisfaction with some bands, but there have been albums which, on subsequent re-listening, I have realised that I was too harsh, giving the disc no chance of convincing. Nowadays, I can accept such sonic changes if I feel they are the result of a truly conscious artistic concept. I’ll give it a chance and, if it’s really good and I like what I hear, I’ll give it credit. At least that’s how I am with it.
But why am I talking about this? British metalcore giants Architects released their ninth studio album, “For Those That Wish To Exist“, at the end of February last year. From the four lead-in singles, it was clear that this album would be a departure from the usual sound. Less technical riffs, breakdowns and screams, and more clean, catchy, often symphonic sound with more singing. Even Architects’ trademark “BLEGH” is not part of the repertoire. Of course, most people immediately cried blasphemy at how dare they sell themselves. Well with the new sound, their aim was indeed to reach a larger audience. But the reason for this was more to reach more people with the message of the album and its lyrics by making it more accessible. This is also hinted in the lyrics of “Little Wonder“: “I wanna sing you a different song, one that’s easier to swallow”
Anyway, this is not an album review, so I’ll get to the point of the article. The first time I listened to the album, it was a little bit chunky, I felt lost in the new sound. It took a few days for the songs to settle in me one by one and I found myself humming them. However, the closing song on the album immediately got me going. And that was “Dying Is Absolutely Safe“. In terms of sound, it goes against the style of the previous songs, but it was my favourite from the album. (Even though I had a subconscious desire to hate the new sound.) Architects have always been vocal about the importance of protecting the environment. It was the main theme of their new album, but the pandemic was also a big influence. The album draws attention to the destructive nature of the human race and calls for action to postpone the end of days that are probably not so far away. The closing song is a little different in tone and message. It is a song accompanied by an acoustic guitar and backed by a symphonic orchestra. Instead of the lyrics and energetic sound that have so far encouraged action, we get a very sad, tired and slow, yet hopeful sounding song. There is a sense of resignation in the lyrics, and ironically, it almost welcomes the coming of the end.
When the last heavy phrases of the bridge are heard, “Beloved distant blue, one day I’ll die for you, and swim in sweet serenity ’cause death is not my enemy”, the grand finale begins, in which the symphony is joined by a vocal choir, thus sending the listener on its way. Finally, the melody is drowned out by a loud noise, as if the end of the world has come and the connection is broken. In the distance, only a lone violin laments its strings.
The song was first imagined to have a more electronic sound. However, this was eventually dropped, as the singer says they always wanted to do a song in this style. They tried to do something similar with alternative versions of “Doomsday” and “A Wasted Hymn“, and as they were well received, “Dying Is Absolutely Safe” was born, which became one of the singer’s (Sam Carter‘s) favourite songs (and not just on the album).
Genre: Acoustic Metal
Band: Architects (UK)
Song: Dying Is Absolutely Safe
Album: For Those That Wish To Exist (2021)
Lyrics:
From the cradle to the grave
Destined to break like the waves
Existence is so threatening
It takes a fierce grace to crack us open
A moment sat with our sentencing
And the light comes flooding in
Oh, the light comes flooding in
When the leaves fall in the spring
May all the beggars be blessed
Like angels with anhedonia
We’re all just doing our best
Repeating, “There’s nothing left”
That’s why we weed out the wonderers
Maybe there’s virtue in emptiness
But I still drown in distress
When the leaves fall in the spring
With the ravens here to stay
And the doves all flying away
Sedation feels so welcoming
In the subtle space, there’s an endless ocean
But the devils sing and it’s deafening
What a world we’re living in
Oh, we’re never listening
When the leaves fall in the spring
May all the beggars be blessed
Like angels with anhedonia
We’re all just doing our best
Repeating, “There’s nothing left”
That’s why we weed out the wonderers
Maybe there’s virtue in emptiness
But I still drown in distress
When the leaves fall in the spring
I’ve got a lot to lose
But I won’t lie to you
And make believe sincerity
I’m praying for a remedy
Beloved distant blue
One day I’ll die for you
And swim in sweet serenity
‘Cause death is not my enemy
I’ve got a lot to lose
But I won’t lie to you
And make believe sincerity
I’m praying for a remedy
Beloved distant blue
One day I’ll die for you
And swim in sweet serenity
‘Cause death is not my enemy
What should you know about Architects? Architects is a British metalcore band formed in 2004. They are considered to be the defining figures of the genre. They have nine studio albums to their name, with their latest album released in February last year, which topped both the UK and Australian charts the following week.
Architects
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architects/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/architectsuk
by: Traidusk & Wolfy
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