FOLLOWING the passing of guitarist Tom Hearle, the remaining members of Architects had to find their place in the band again.

The talented musician, and twin brother to drummer Dan, passed away in 2016 following a private three-year battle with cancer.

In the years leading up to Tom’s untimely death, the band had risen to global success off the back of their seven album releases and cemented their status as one of the biggest metal bands in the UK.

But its future was thrown into jeopardy following the world-shattering loss of their founding member.

Through their grief, the band found strength to carry them through a pre-planned tour and their biggest show to date – at the 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in London.

The same grief pushed them to make an eighth studio album, Holy Hell, which has been described as “a modern classic of the genre”, featuring the aptly-named single Death is Not Defeat.

Next weekend, they will headline Wembley Arena

on their biggest tour yet.

The album was created in tribute to Tom and as an expression of their collective grief.

“Tom was our lead songwriter so it was a massive difference not having him around, and not having him during the recording process was a shift as well”, bassist Ali Dean explains.

“It was something we had to work through and everyone had to find their places in the band after that happened.

“It was not easy at times but we managed to come out the other end of it with an album we’re really happy with.

“Personally I found it very therapeutic, we’ve been in this band for many, many years now and it’s what we do – making music and touring it. To be able to continue doing that after we lost Tom, I think was a fair achievement for all of us.”

Holy Hell delves into the pain and hopelessness of grief experienced by Dan, with the lyrics sung by lead vocalist Sam Carter.

Ali adds: “We’re all in huge admiration for what he did and for offering himself up so willingly and making himself so vulnerable. I think for all of us, and for him, it was very cathartic and a big part of the grieving process.

“Continuing the band was something we all wanted to do but we didn’t know if we could do it or not.

“We went out and toured a little bit but once we got back from that, Josh our guitarist joined us to replace Tom.

“Him and Dan started writing some material together and once we had a couple of songs they did that we were big fans of, we knew we could carry on and make something that’s decent.

“If we all kept going for the sake of it, it probably wouldn’t have happened.”

Listeners connecting with the music has been a gratifying response for the group. Their refreshingly honest account of the resultant grief, pain and confusion that engulfed the band during that time struck a chord for those going through the same thing.

Bringing to lyrics to life was a big ask for Sam – who had also just lost his best friend.

“It’s at times like that that you ask yourself, ‘What is left?’”, the singer adds. “As a group of friends, we had to find something.”

“Ultimately, there were two choices. Feel sorry for yourself, and believe the world to be a horrible place and let it defeat you. Or let it inspire us to live the life that Tom would have wanted us to live.”

Ali explains: “It seems to have really connected with people, which is something we don’t always go out and try to do.

“People have been sharing their stories and how they’ve experienced the record and how it’s helped them through a difficult patch which has been nice to hear.

“Everyone has been really positive and supportive.”

As part of their European tour, Architects will be heading to Glasgow for a show at the O2 Academy.

The five-piece will be staying on the road for the majority of the year with shows still to be announced.

Ali adds: “We took a six-month break from touring which was a long time for us.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back.

“We’ve really gone to town on production and we’re really excited about.”

Architects will play the O2 Academy on January 17.