Album Review: Architects Of Grace – Moments In Time
The brainchild of Duncan Robert Illing, Architects Of Grace have been making quite a few waves with the release of debut single ‘Reflections’. Not wanting to lose the momentum, the one man band have followed up with ‘Moments In Time’, their debut album. Taking inspiration from the likes of Bowie, Bauhaus and Nine Inch Nails, Architects of Grace make dark, atmospheric synth and guitar driven gothic rock and they do it rather well. As the album moves gracefully from industrial to orchestral, with reverb laden guitars and cold, dark synths, its roots are firmly set in the early eighties, especially with the affected vocals giving Illing that Bowie-esque sound. As for the songs themselves, there are some cracking tracks here. The sparse ‘Into The Night’ has a relentless bass hook which culminates in a heartbeat that almost brings the song to life; it could be a perfect, chilling soundtrack to the next Blade film. My favourite tracks though are the industrial ‘Hot White Sun’ with its overdriven guitars brings the Sisters Of Mercy to mind, and the percussion led ‘Heart Of It All’. ‘Moments In Time’ is a good album, and considering it’s predominantly the work of one man, quite an achievement. While in may be rooted in the eighties, it was a good ere for synth music and it’s about time it was revisited, albeit with a little less eyeliner! 7/10
Mark Cousens
No related posts.
