Architects @ Oxford Art Factory

When Hand Of Mercy emerged, they immediately broke into a track that directly lifted the riff from ‘Frantic’, the track that opens Metallica’s most maligned and universally hated LP, St. Anger. When you’re kicking off by ripping off Metallica at their worst, it’s not going to get any better from there on out – and Hand Of Mercy made absolute sure of that. They may have brought a new lead vocalist to the forefront, but it was essentially the musical equivalent of putting a new hat on Malibu Stacy – it’s still the same plastic, lifeless product for tween girls to swarm to.

It was telling that a siren wail welcomed Stray From The Path onstage, as a small-scale riot followed from the second they began. Vocalist Andrew Dijorio was not in a mood to be messed with, constantly on security’s backs ensuring that they didn’t go overboard. It was difficult not to get caught up in the moment, as the band’s unapologetic take on brash, defiant hardcore sent out a surge of energy that was reciprocated tenfold. By the time closing number ‘Badge & A Bullet’ rolled around, Dijorio’s anti-authoritarian bark could barely be heard over the rabid crowd screaming every word back.

This intimate inner-city venue trumped the trek out to the cavernous Hordern Pavilion, while the 18-plus age restrictions meant not having to deal with first-timers and angsty teens. Best of all, being here meant not having to give The Amity Affliction money. For Architects fans, everything about this show, on paper, was perfect. As if to immediately prove this point, the Brighton natives tore through opening number ‘Gravedigger’ with the kind of ferocity that would suggest they were never to play another show again.

It did not let up from that point for a moment – whether it was one of the many tracks from their recent Lost Together // Lost Forever LP or older favourites like ‘Early Grave’ and ‘Follow The Water’, the momentum never dropped either onstage or off. Vocalist Sam Carter constantly reminded the crowd of the band’s collective gratefulness – and, rather than come off as pandering, it was an aspect of the show that established a true bond between Architects and those who paid to see them. From go to whoa, this was a tightly executed and consistently riveting performance from one of the finer bands within this spectrum.