"Doomsday" is a song by British metalcore band Architects. Originally released as a standalone single on 7 September 2017, the song is included in the band's eighth studio album Holy Hell, released on 9 November 2018.[1] It was the first new material recorded by the group since the death of their original lead guitarist and primary songwriter Tom Searle in 2016. The track was written and self-produced by the band, with additional production from Bring Me the Horizon keyboardist Jordan Fish. "Doomsday" charted at number 17 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.
"Doomsday" evolved from a song that was originally part-written by former Architects lead guitarist Tom Searle during sessions for the band's seventh album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us.[2] Following the guitarist's death on 20 August 2016, his brother Dan (the group's drummer) completed the song's lyrics in preparation for its release.[3] The track was ultimately credited to Architects as a collective.[4] Searle commented upon its release that "Completing it for him was a massive responsibility".[5] The lyrical themes within "Doomsday" have been related to Searle's death by critics, especially lines such as "they say the good die young".[6] Writing for Noisey, Tom Connick explained that the song "is about [Dan's] conflicted feelings regarding the loss, and is a marker of Architects' poise in the face of extreme sadness".[7]
Promotion and release
"Doomsday" was released on 6 September 2017 as the first new Architects material since Tom Searle's death.[8] It was made available as a digital download the following day.[9] The song was not specifically recorded for a new studio album, although Dan Searle did suggest upon its release that it would feature on their next record.[3] The track charted at number 17 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.[10] The band played the song live for the first time for BBC Radio 1's "Radio 1 Rocks" show on 31 October.[11] Three months after the song's digital release, "Doomsday" was issued as a 7" vinyl on 8 December 2017, limited to 1,000 copies.[12]
In July 2018, the band released an alternate version of "Doomsday", featuring James Beckwith on piano.[13] Speaking about the "acoustic piano ballad", Searle suggested that the song "needed a rendition that exposed the sadness behind the lyrics", which he claimed vocalist Sam Carter delivered "beautifully".[14] In December 2018, the WWE announced that the song would be featured as one of the themes of their NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool event.[15]
Music video
The music video for "Doomsday" was directed by Stuart Birchall, who had previously worked on a number of other videos for the band, most recently for All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us lead single "A Match Made in Heaven" in 2016.[16] According to Zoe Camp of Revolver magazine, it "finds the band members tearing through the song against a starry backdrop, performing so intensely that, at times, they appear to break apart themselves".[5]Metal Hammer columnist Eleanor Goodman described it as "a moving video featuring Tom's twin brother, drummer Dan, suspended in the expanse of the universe".[17]
Critical reception
"Doomsday" was met with acclaim from music critics. Kerrang! Radio described the song as "a goosebump-inducing anthem of the highest calibre".[3] Scott Munro of Metal Hammer called it "blistering",[18] while Eleanor Goodman of the same publication dubbed it "honest" and "beautiful".[17] Brii Jamieson of music magazine Rock Sound described the song's piano reprise as "an emotional rollercoaster".[14]Clash writer Robin Murray called it "simple, sparse, and really rather beautiful", praising Sam Carter's "rather special" vocal performance.[19] Kelsey Shawgo of Alternative Press described "Doomsday" as "powerful" and called it "a banger".[20]
Personnel
Architects
Sam Carter – lead vocals, production
Josh Middleton – lead guitar, backing vocals, production
Adam Christianson – rhythm guitar, production
Alex "Ali" Dean – bass, keyboards, drum pad, production
Dan Searle – drums, percussion, programming, production
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