We're into the Top 3 with a band that I've supported since this blog's inception. It's been a tumultuous couple of years in the world of this band, and we've seen them build and change in front of and alongside their fans in a way that's never been so poignant. Now dropping in at number three is Architects with the magnificent Holy Hell.

In the wake of Tom's passing last year the band and fans alike were utterly devastated, and if I'm honest, I was steeling myself for the news that they wouldn't be continuing on without him. However, when they announced that they would be releasing new music, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was excited. Watching their film - Holy Ghost - about the making of this album was difficult but definitely shed some light and confirmed a few assumptions I'd already made about how things were playing out behind the scenes. Tom's role in the band was always a big one but it was suddenly very clear just how big; like realising just how deep the water you're in is. Architects have taken that pressure and swam with it, being sure to keep Tom's input and influence at the forefront of their music, whilst also being sure that each of their parts swelled and broke with emotion around it.

My favourite tracks on the album at the moment are "Death Is Not Defeat", "Holy Hell", "Royal Beggars", and "Modern Misery". Architects have tried to articulate their feelings of processing and 'dealing with' pain on this record. The struggle and effort that come part and parcel with this are something that they don't try to shy away from at all. Rather, they identify it and use it to spur them on, which only makes you appreciate this album more.

If there's anything to critique I would note that the strings could use a bit more thought where they appear and could add a more theatrical moment to it. However, this realisation only came to me after a few listens. All in all, the album ebbs and flows in a way that takes the listener on a journey of grief, sure. However, it's the charging voice of Sam Carter that steals the show for me on this. It's more melodic than their past projects but somehow the vocals hit harder in pockets than they have previously. This is a huge album and a beautiful tribute.

Here's a look at the album that ushered in my Top 3 last year.

Coming in hot with Architects masterpiece All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. This band really can do no wrong. Ever since hearing their song "Day In Day Out" in like 2010 on Kerrang, everything I've heard from them hasn't managed to disappoint me yet.

Devastatingly, I write about this album as the last one that Tom Searle will feature on as he passed earlier this year. I genuinely believe that Architects would not be close to the band that they are today without him - as a founding member and phenomenal guitarist, it's a huge loss for the boys but of course they continue to honour him through the music and in life. In terms of his work on the album - would you just listen to those instrumentals?! Architects have mastered the art of making songs sound humungous both on record and on stage. Just listening to the first 30 seconds on the album should vouch for that.

After seeing them at Rock Im Park earlier this year I can comfortably place them in my top 10 favourite bands around right now. Their energy is almost unmatched. Also, one thing that's always blown me away about them as a metal/hardcore/post-hardcore band is their amazing lyricism. Anyone that I've shown their lyrics to has been impressed regardless of whether they like metal or not. In fact, one of my favourite lyrical performances on the album is actually in their first song "Nihilist", so cleverly put together it just astounds me. Another couple of favourites on the album for me are "Gone With The Wind" and "Gravity"

I don't know if they'll be putting out another album after but if they do, I definitely expect big things. They set the bar higher with every new record they drop. And even if they don't put out something new, they've left off on a hell of a note.