Sunday 14 December

Supports: House of Protection, PRESIDENT

British metalcore act Architects finished up their 2025 touring schedule last night in Brisbane and oh boy, did they bring one hell of a party to the Riverstage. Without a cloud in the sky or rain in the forecast, fans came out in support, ready to catch a glimpse of what Architects have succeeded in their biggest year yet.

PRESIDENT kicked things for the evening, performing their current world campaign in Brisbane for the very first time. As soon as they launched in with ‘Fearless‘, the next 30 minutes felt like entering an alternative reality. If you weren’t familiar with who President were, you were quickly hypnotised and in a trance state from their blended tones of alternative rock and metal. Their King of Terrors EP has been one of my favourite releases of the year and hearing ‘RAGE‘ live was something else. Delivering a softer ambience to the night, the illusive masked lead singer (although somewhat terrifying to look at), his vocals and melodies glistened against the approaching sunset.

In his own unique way (and in unspoken elements), PRESIDENT still managed to warm up the pit towards the end with his biggest breakthrough song, ‘Destroy Me‘. Those that were keen cooked up somewhat of a mini moshpit which served as the entree for the rest of the night. As disappeared behind the curtains, it was a stunning creative performance for President’s debut and I am so looking forward to their return with talks of a debut full-length next year.

LA rock outfit House of Protection returned to the Riverstage just 11 months later and I couldn’t be more stoked for what they had in store for round two. If your jaws dropped when you witnessed them opening for Bad Omens, then you would have been just as pumped for tonight. From the very first note, Stephen Harrison and Aaric Improta levelled up the show tenfold. From Stephen being the literal centre of attention in the pit during ‘Pulling Teeth’ to Aaric becoming the official GOAT of the pit for 2025 by somersaulting into the crowd, House of Protection officially became everyone’s newest favourite live rock show.

There were no dry moments, no time to catch your breath, the boys went all out and if you blinked, you missed it. ‘Afterlife‘ proved to be a strong highlight as its moody, dramatic guitars lit up Brisbane in spectacular form. While the boys stepped up into main support for this show, by the end of the set, it was very clear to see that House of Protection are quickly becoming headline material.

Following an important message surrounding rethinking masculinity, mental health and risilience from Richie Hardcore (I’ll be honest, I had no idea who he was before tonight but his message definitely struck a chord with many), it was Architects‘ time to shine. Throwing straight into the first two tracks from the band’s latest album, The Sky, The Earth & All Between, it was fire on all fronts. During ‘Whiplash‘, vocalist Sam Carter encouraged everyone to get down low and I’m not sure about everyone else, but the way he said it, it was like no other obligation mattered. In that very moment, whatever Sam says, we obey without delay. “We came here to fucking party,” proclaims Sam and the pit erupts into pandemonium.

The boys powered their way the The Sky, The Earth and 2022’s For Those That Wish to Exist, almost acting as their highlight reel from the past few years. As a first time attendee of an Architects show, I was more than impressed that evening and wondered myself why I hadn’t gotten along to these boys’ show sooner. Hearing the contrast between heavy hitters like ‘Black Lungs‘ and ‘Everything Ends‘ offered everything I enjoy about the heavier side of music. Sam weaving his way between harsh tones and those melodic elements gives the band more of that world appeal, and it is evident that over the past two years, Architects are living out their best life yet.

Perhaps the biggest high of the evening came during ‘Impermanence‘. There were whispers of a certain Parkway Drive vocalist attending the show that day, and I had a hunch he may appear on stage. Low and behold, when the king, Winston McCall confidently walked on stage just before his verse, the crowd absolutely exploded. It was a celebration of friends in comrade, as Winston showed his support for Architects headlining the Riverstage for the first time, when 15 years earlier, they were only opening the show (for Parkway Drive).

That more or less acted as a metaphor for the tour as a whole. Overall, the evening featured bands celebrating some big career moments as well as those who are only getting their first taste of success in the metal scene (PRESIDENT). I do think Architects‘ full circle moment is going to follow House of Protection one day. Give it a few more years and we will be seeing the LA rockers moving into that headline position, perhaps at the Riverstage? Only time will tell.

All in all, 3 killer bands. 3 toptier sets. Similarly to my love for fellow metal/rock hybrids I Prevail and Beartooth, I am officially all in on the Architects movement. Their shows are a concert experience that must be on every heavy music fans’ bucketlist. I’m already pumped for their return.

Review by Tamara May

Photos by Amy Driscoll

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