Architects Return to London with Explosive Intensity and Heart
On Sunday night, London’s O₂ Arena was a storm of sound, emotion and sheer intensity as Architects returned to the city with a stacked lineup, supported by House of Protection and Wage War. The evening was a masterclass in metalcore, blending artistry, aggression and emotional resonance into a show that left the crowd breathless.
House of Protection set the tone with a haunting opening set. Kicking off with ‘Pulling Teeth’, the band immediately drew the audience into their world of post-hardcore energy. ‘Learn to Forget’ and ‘Being One’ further demonstrate House of Protection’s versatility, blending raw energy with modern production and drawing influences from hardcore punk to electronic music. But one of the night’s most unforgettable moments came during ‘Godspeed’. Frontman Wesley Eisold plunged into the crowd, carried atop a platform held aloft by fans in the first row, while moshpits swirled chaotically in the middle of the arena. It was a perfect encapsulation of House of Protection’s intensity — daring, immersive and exhilarating. The band’s set continued with ‘Fire’ and ‘It’s Supposed to Hurt’, leaving a lingering sense of tension and anticipation for what was to come.
By the time Wage War hit the stage, the atmosphere shifted from eerie anticipation to explosive energy. Opening with ‘TOMBSTONE’, the Florida metalcore band immediately set the crowd ablaze. Their set struck a perfect balance between blistering aggression and memorable hooks, keeping every corner of the O₂ floor in motion. During ‘Godspeed’, the crowd erupted — headbanging, moshing and leaving no one standing still. The band effortlessly transitioned through ‘Stitch’, ‘BLUR’ and ‘The River’, sustaining intensity while giving fans moments to lock into their soaring choruses. Closing with ‘Manic’, Wage War left the arena buzzing. The adrenaline was surging, excitement at its peak and anticipation for the headliners reaching fever pitch.
As the house lights dimmed, Oasis’s ‘Fuckin’ in the Bushes’ thundered through the PA, signaling Architects’ arrival. From the first notes of ‘Elegy’ to the crushing riffs of ‘Whiplash’, Architects launched into their set with relentless intensity. Early highlights like ‘when we were young’ and ‘Black Lungs’ brought the crowd into perfect sync, while ‘Curse’ showcased the band’s balance of technical precision and raw emotion.
During ‘Impermanence’, Sam Carter rallied the arena, urging everyone to crowd-surf in an attempt to set a new world record. The audience responded with wild energy. Fans lifted and carried one another, creating waves of mayhem and exhilaration. Shouts and cheers echoed through The O₂, turning the moment into a shared act of defiance and unity between band and crowd.
The intensity continued as House of Protection rejoined Architects for ‘Brain Dead’. The two bands fused electronic tension with Architects’ ferocious riffs, creating a performance that was both chaotic and precise. Lights pulsed in time with the breakdowns, and the crowd erupted, swept up in the spectacle. The collaboration elevated the song into a transcendent high point, leaving the arena vibrating with energy and emotion.
‘Meteor’ escalated the energy to new heights. Every person on the floor and in the seats was jumping in unison, the arena shaking with the sheer force of thousands moving together. Fans screamed, fists pumped and bodies bounced trying to outdo the explosive atmosphere Architects had ignited in Manchester just a couple of days prior. The collective intensity was electrifying, a tidal wave of sound and motion that carried through every corner of the arena, leaving no one standing still and no energy untapped.
The emotional heart of the night arrived toward the end. ‘Everything Ends’ was dedicated to Miles Kent — a cherished crew member and vital part of the band’s family who had passed just days before the show. The entire arena lift their phone lights in memory of lost loved ones, emotions washing over every corner of the crowd. Later, ‘Doomsday’, honoring both Kent and the late Tom Searle, transformed sorrow into defiance, uniting thousands of voices in a cathartic release. The set closed with ‘Blackhole’, leaving the audience exhilarated and hungry for more. The encore hit like a lightning strike: ‘Seeing Red’ and ‘Animals’ delivered a triumphant, adrenaline-fueled finale, bringing the night to a powerful and unforgettable close.
From start to finish, Architects delivered a show that balanced brutality with beauty, chaos with control and ferocity with heart. At the O₂, it wasn’t just the sound that shook the arena, but the emotion, the daring moments and the unshakable presence of a band at the very peak of their powers.