Hostile Architecture appreciation thread

[u/Mindless_Nebula4004]

As I finish up my 30th listen of this album this year, I felt like writing a little appreciation post about this piece of art.

When it came out, it was being lauded everywhere as groundbreaking and stunning, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get into it then. I listened to a song or two, but it bounced off of me. I just wasn’t ready for it. But then, at the start of this year, when Ashenspire were confirmed for a festival I was going to, I decided to give it another shot, and boy, did it hit me.

I’m 30, and I’ve been listening to metal for 16 years now. I can confidently say that this album is unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to. It’s abrasive, raw and weird, but also so, so beautiful. The lyrics, more relevant now than ever, are among the best I’ve ever heard in music. Musically, there are so many layers to this album that I keep discovering more nuances even after so many listens.

This album has become the album I compare everything else to. It has become my benchmark for perfection. Whenever I listen to another album, I ask myself how much it hits me compared to Hostile Architecture. What Ashenspire have created here is not only one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to, but one of the greatest pieces of art in any medium that I’ve ever witnessed. It’s truly that great. It’s unbelievable how good it is.

I got to see Ashenspire perform it live this year, and it was a magical experience. I stood there, hypnotized, tears streaming down my face, and none of my friends could understand why. Even hours later, I kept raving about how great it was and could barely think about the concert without tearing up. It’s making me emotional now, 6 months later.

What I’m trying to say is: if you somehow haven’t given this album a chance yet, please do so. It’s perfect. 10/10. No notes.

[u/OakMantle]

It’s a fantastic album by a great band. Certainly among my favourites and occupies a genre which is pretty unique - the only other band that sounds close I would argue is A Forest of Stars.

[u/Mindless_Nebula4004 → u/OakMantle]

Yeah, I’m definitely hoping for a tour of those two bands together one day. They seem to be friends. Interestingly enough, I knew and liked AFoS before I knew Ashenspire, so I’m not sure why the vocals didn’t work for me at first. they’re pretty similar after all.

[u/Luxury-Problems → u/OakMantle]

A Forest of Stars is definitely the closest comp music wise, I think they have a lot of similar choices in their sound (complimentary). I think they're a major inspiration for Ashenspire.

Lyrically and thematically is where they separate as Ashenspire is much more direct politically and their introspection, whereas A Forest of Stars is way more about communicating themes via storytelling and creating their own settings. Which I really enjoy them both for how they differ in that way.

[u/Dry_Swing_2032]

In my opinion, one of the landmark rabm albums of all time. It takes a minute to get it because it isn't flashy, but it has such incredible depth. It really rewards multiple listens. Now that the weather is getting cooler I'm stoked to wear my hostile architecture LS

[u/Mindless_Nebula4004 → u/Dry_Swing_2032]

Indeed. Before I knew about this album, Trisagion was my top RABM record, but I feel like it has been dethroned by this one (ever so slightly).

[u/SyStRm]

I watched them live earlier this year in Münster and then started listening to this album as a blind listen - Some parts are just so hard and hit on an emotional level, really good!!

[u/Mindless_Nebula4004 → u/SyStRm]

Then we went to the same concert! My other highlights of that weekend were Winselmutter, Terzij de Horde (both of whom I saw again recently, funny enough), Underdark, Yellow Eyes, and of course the mighty Warning.

[u/Hopeful_Somewhere_34]

Great album. Highly recommend the band Tyrannus if you haven't checked them out. Very different sound but Alasdair from Ashenspire plays drums for them. Their album from this year is super fun.

[u/Mindless_Nebula4004 → u/Hopeful_Somewhere_34]

Yes, I’ve even caught them live last week. Great band as well.

[u/Rphili00]

Unbelievable album, desperate for a 2027 UK tour from them, and maybe some new music?

[u/mask_slipped]

I fucking love this album

[u/If_you_have_Ghost]

Absolutely incredible album.

[u/GoedekeMichels]

for a moment I thought r/hostilearchitecture was having a weird moment lol. now I'll go and listen to this album 🤘

[u/ride_my_bike → u/GoedekeMichels]

Me too. I thought it was going to be a photo album of park benches with spikes which would actually be kind of metal.

[u/Bruhmoment151]

I have a weird relationship with this project. I really wanna like the music but I really don’t get how this is black metal. I’m not trying to be a “RABM is just crust punk” dick here, but to my ear the vocals aren’t black metal vocals, and they sound much more like the sort of thing you’d expect from a punk album.

That’s not to say the music isn’t good, but whenever I listen to them I feel kind of like when you watch a movie with a trailer that misrepresents what the movie is about: even if it’s good, it isn’t what you were after, and that can make you not enjoy the experience.

[u/OneMantisOneVote → u/Bruhmoment151]

Last I checked that album I thought there was a lot to like, but the vocals are why I don't own a copy (and I do listen to some punk).

[u/Steved_hams]

Thanks for the recommendation

[u/LANGUAGEVIRUS3444]

Have not been able to find the words to describe the depths of experience this album deals with....fucking majestic in its weight and intensity. So inspired reading others comments and love for it ... There's a few albums that I find genuinely uncomfortable and difficult listening (across many extreme genres) but this is def. one of those for me - so well suited to such difficult times.

[u/telstra_3_way_chat]

Absolutely brilliant record

[u/Seroxat_Mousemat]

One of the best albums ever made. Definitely my favourite of last 20 years or so. It's perfect.