Review: Dan Maynard
Photography: Luke Petty

I sit on the hard gravel with my ten-year-old daughter in the shade, escaping the blasted heat, eating our awful servo dinner while getting bitten by mozzies. But it is all going to be worth it, because tonight we witness a lineup at the Brisbane Riverstage that will inevitably make it into the top gigs of 2025. British metalcore royalty Architects return to Australia in support of their 2025 release The Sky, The Earth and All Between, with House of Protection and President as support.

President is a band I did not expect to see this year, but here we are. Only new to the world this year, President have drummed up quite the following, and that becomes clear the moment they step on stage to a roar of cheers. They might have the opening slot, but it is the opening slot on a bill of three incredible bands, and President show exactly why they deserve it.

They sound huge, and the masked frontman sounds spot on, showcasing a vocal range that feels flawless. With only an EP in their arsenal, the crowd can walk away knowing they may be some of the only people to ever see some of these songs performed. I can only imagine President have something big on the horizon, and the next time they visit it will be on a much larger scale. They are only just marking their territory now, and it is going to get wild from here on.

The almighty House of Protection hit the stage with energy out the wazoo. This Californian duo wastes no time proving why they are one of the most talked-about live acts around. If you managed to catch them on their last visit, or previously with their former band Fever 333, you already know just how insanely energetic they can be. On top of their incredibly well-written fusion of rap, pop, hip hop, rock and metal, the chaos unfolds everywhere at once. Vocalist Stephen Harrison finds himself in the crowd with his guitar and mic, standing in the middle of a circle pit.

Drummer Aric Improta is doing backflips off Stephen’s amps, crowd surfing on his cymbal case while singing, throwing high kicks, leaping into the air, standing on drums and holding cymbal stands overhead. That is only scratching the surface. They are, quite honestly, one of the greatest live acts I have ever seen. That is a big statement given they are relatively new and only a duo, but they make the most of absolutely everything they have.

Before Architects take the stage, we are joined by Richie Hardcore. Richie has been travelling on this tour with the band to speak directly to the crowd about domestic violence against women. He makes a point of explaining, with compassion and clarity, that this is not an attack on all men. Rather, it is a call to men everywhere to look out for harmful behaviour in others and to speak up when something feels wrong.

I am doing no justice here to Richie, who delivered an incredibly powerful and thoughtful speech. The response from the crowd was something to be genuinely proud of. I was grateful to have my ten-year-old daughter there, watching a man her dad’s age takes the stage, be vulnerable, and address such an important and difficult subject. I know I was not alone in that feeling, as I saw many other parents standing alongside their children. Thank you, Richie Hardcore.

The time has arrived. The moment we have all been waiting for. As the lights dim, an intro plays while the band take their places. Once they are in position, the opening melody to Elegy echoes through the speakers, sending shivers down my spine. Vocalist Sam Carter opens with the melody-driven intro before everything explodes into chaos. Strobe lights flood the stage, and the light show mirrors the intensity of the song perfectly. After the massive breakdown outro, there is barely a moment to breathe before the band launch straight into Whiplash, keeping the pace relentless. My forty-year-old body loves it and hates it at the same time. Worth it.

Next up is When We Were Young, the very definition of a crowd singalong. You can tell a lot about a band by how well they construct a setlist and how smoothly the first three songs flow together. Architects are absolute masters of the craft. This setlist may genuinely be one of the most well thought out and perfectly designed I have ever witnessed. There is never a dull moment. You never feel overwhelmed, and slower songs never sap the energy from the room. The bigger tracks are scattered perfectly throughout the night, while deeper cuts are slipped in seamlessly. This is a setlist worthy of serious praise.

Curse and Deep Fake arrive next, with the bridge of Deep Fake shaking the entire venue. Throughout the night, Sam Carter takes time to speak warmly about Australia’s own Parkway Drive, which makes what happens next even more special. Out of nowhere, Winston McCall storms the stage to join the band for the second half of Impermanence, a track he originally guested on back in 2021. The entire venue erupts. It is an incredible gift to the crowd, made even better by the fact that Brisbane is the only show to receive this moment.

A few songs later, there is another guest appearance. Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison of House of Protection return to the stage for Brain Dead, a track they feature on from the latest album The Sky, The Earth and All Between. They are just as energetic as they were during their own set. These guys simply do not stop.

It is a big setlist, but it never feels that way. Brain Dead lands twelve songs in, and there are still six more to come. Meteor, Everything Ends, Doomsday and Blackhole roll through in quick succession. Sam Carter takes moments here and there to speak with the crowd, but never long enough for the momentum to dip. He is a true frontman. He controls the room effortlessly, choosing the perfect moments to speak before diving straight back into the music.

Blackhole leads into the encore, and after a brief pause off stage, Architects return once more with Seeing Red, complete with the obligatory BLEGH to kick things off. Before the night comes to a close, Sam Carter delivers one final speech, thanking the crew and everyone who made it out to the show. He speaks about the band experiencing their biggest year yet, and both his words and the band’s actions make it clear just how genuine that gratitude is.

There can only be one closer, and that is Animals. The crowd erupts for the final song, and the energy surges across the entire Brisbane Riverstage grounds. Sam Carter runs across the stage to grab the legend Richie Hardcore, pulling him in to finish the song together. Arms over shoulders, everyone is living their best life, band and crowd alike.

So sure, I could complain about the oppressive heat. I could complain that Subway was closed and we were stuck with a servo dinner. I could complain about being covered in mozzie bites. But I was right. It was all worth it. Am I surprised? Not at all. That show was outrageous, unforgettable, and incredible in every possible way. What a way to close out a year of phenomenal gigs.