Following the recent chart success of their ninth studio album, Architects are revisiting “Animals,” the single that kicked off their For Those That Wish To Exist era. This time around, however, they aren’t alone.
With the help of a full orchestra, Architects took over the legendary Studio Two at Abbey Road Studios in London for a passionate new performance.
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Throughout the decades, numerous artists have recorded at Studio Two, including the Beatles, Oasis and Pink Floyd. Adele, Panic! At The Disco, the 1975 and Noel Gallagher are a few of the more recent acts who also recorded in the space. This week, Architects vocalist Sam Carter even tweeted a photo of the Beatles’ George Harrison and Ringo Starr in the space, noting the historical significance of Studio Two.
How it started//how it’s going with @aliarchitects @AbbeyRoad 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VhKTIZfWX2
— Sam Carter (@samarchitects) March 26, 2021
When it came to their “Animals” performance, Architects knew they wanted to do something different. So, they decided to completely reimagine the hard-hitting track alongside a talented group of orchestra musicians. As a result, the band created something unlike anything fans have heard before.
“This was an amazing opportunity to reimagine ‘Animals’ entirely,” Architects say in a press release. “We took away the jagged synths, replaced them with an orchestra and recorded it in the world-famous Studio Two at Abbey Road Studios. The result is something unlike anything we’ve ever done before. We hope you enjoy it.”
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The incorporation of the orchestra truly elevates “Animals” to a whole new level. Along with Architects’ powerful performance, the blaring horns and string sections create a harmonious blend of genre-bending sounds that completely transform the dynamic track.
“Animals (Orchestra Version)” is available to watch below and stream exclusively on Amazon Music here.
Although “Animals” is the only song Architects recorded at Abbey Road Studios, drummer Dan Searle hinted that similar performances may be on the way.
“This is the only song we did in that session, but we are looking to take this concept further in the not too distant future,” Searle says on Twitter.
This is the only song we did in that session but we are looking to take this concept further in the not too distant future….
— Dan Searle (@danarchitects) March 26, 2021
More on Architects
Earlier this month, Architects celebrated a major milestone in their career. Following its release Feb. 26, For Those That Wish To Exist shot to the top of the U.K. album charts. The debut marks the band’s first-ever chart No. 1 in the U.K. For Those That Wish To Exist managed to beat out artists such as rock band Maximo Park, rapper Digga D and Alice Cooper for the coveted top spot.
According to Official Charts, the race to No. 1 was a close one. As it turns out, Architects beat out Maximo Park’s Nature Always Wins for the top spot by just 550 chart sales. This accomplishment also marks Architects’ first top 10 album in the U.K. Previously, their highest chart peak was No. 15 with 2016’s All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us.
On March 5, Architects took to social media to thank their fans, family and everyone involved with For Those That Wish To Exist. They also paid tribute to guitarist Tom Searle, who died in 2016 at the age of 28 after a long battle with cancer.
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“We are blown away,” Architects say on Twitter. “Never in our wildest dreams did we aspire to this. Even one week ago, when we released this record, there was no discussion between us of having a No. 1 record. We’ve been around for 16 years, and this is our ninth record. Bands just don’t hit new peaks on their ninth record, but here we are. Four years ago, we lost Tom, and our worlds were turned upside down. The fact that we can stand here today with a No. 1 record in the U.K., having lost our songwriter, having created a record that took many risks, should be impossible, but we’re here.”
UK! tickets on sale now @ https://t.co/NFBwX8LQxl pic.twitter.com/KkaPA6i7CX
— Architects (@Architectsuk) March 21, 2021
For Those That Wish To Exist includes collaborations with Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall on “Impermanence,” Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr on “Little Wonder” and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil on “Goliath.” It also features the previously released tracks “Meteor,” “Dead Butterflies” and “Black Lungs.”
Architects already have plans to take For Those That Wish To Exist on the road next year. Earlier this month, they announced their headlining U.K. arena tour. The five-date tour kicks off in Leeds, England, Feb. 22, 2022 at First Direct Arena and ends March 1, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales, at Motorpoint Arena. Along the way, the band are also playing Glasgow’s SSE Hydro, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena and London’s historic Alexandra Palace.
So far, no support acts have been announced. Tickets for the tour are available to purchase here.
For Those That Wish To Exist UK tour
On sale Friday 10am GMT https://t.co/NFBwX93rVV pic.twitter.com/UIYcJZZjBs— Architects (@Architectsuk) March 17, 2021
Along with their U.K. tour, Architects are planning to perform in other countries in the next few years. Earlier this month, Searle tweeted that the band have even more tour plans in the works.
“I can officially announce that we will be touring other countries over the next two years,” Searle says on Twitter.
I can officially announce that we will be touring other countries over the next two years.
— Dan Searle (@danarchitects) March 17, 2021
The full list of Architects’ tour dates is below, and more information can be found here.
Architects tour dates
07/23/2021 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy 2 Liverpool
07/24/2021 – Leeds, UK @ Stylus, Leeds University
08/06/2021 – Kingston upon Thames, UK @ Club Pryzm
08/07/2021 – Kingston upon Thames, UK @ Club Pryzm
02/22/2022 – Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena
02/23/2022 – Glasgow, UK @ The SSE Hydro
02/25/2022 – Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena
02/26/2022 – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
03/01/2022 – Cardiff, UK @ Motorpoint Arena
What are your reactions to Architects’ performance of “Animals” with an orchestra? Let us know in the comments below.