"Dead Butterflies" is a song by British metalcore band Architects. Produced by the band's drummer Dan Searle and lead guitarist Josh Middleton, it is featured on the group's 2021 ninth studio album For Those That Wish to Exist. The track was released as the third single from the album on 20 January 2021. It was written by Dan Searle alongside the rest of the band, and was produced by Searle and Josh Middleton. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in October 2021.[1]
| "Dead Butterflies" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Architects | ||||
| from the album For Those That Wish to Exist | ||||
| Released | 20 January 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2019–2020 | |||
| Studio | Brighton Electric (Brighton, East Sussex, UK) | |||
| Genre | Arena rock | |||
| Length | 4:02 | |||
| Label | Epitaph | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Architects singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Dead Butterflies" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe song was debuted live on 21 November 2020, at livestreamed performance of the song at Royal Albert Hall in London.[2][3] It was later released as the third single off of their ninth studio album, For Those That Wish to Exist, on 20 January 2021.[4] The music video for "Dead Butterflies" was released on the same day. It was directed by Tom Welsh & Taylor Fawcett, featuring performance footage from the Royal Albert Hall show.[4] The album version of the track was later released on 26 February.[5] It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in October 2021, it being only their second song to reach the chart in their twenty year career, the first being "Animals" earlier in the year.[1]
Composition
edit"Dead Butterflies" has been described as an arena rock song.[6][7] ABC.net.au/Double J described the song as still having the band's trademark "love of sonic mass" including "huge guitars, booming drums, sleek production, and an orchestral section".[8] The publication also asserted that the song blended elements of progressive rock, nu metal, and post-hardcore.[8] Many publications alternatively decided to simply refer to it as "rock".[6][7]
Reception
editMultiple publications praised the song for showcasing the band's growth in songwriting and performing.[9][10][6][7] Loudwire praised the song for showing the band's "tremendous growth and progression" since their metal beginnings as a band, calling the song a "purely anthemic rock number" without a "metalcore breakdown or 'blegh' [scream] in sight".[6]
Personnel
editArchitects
- Sam Carter – lead vocals, lyricist, composition
- Josh Middleton – lead guitar, backing vocals, lyricist, composition, production
- Adam Christianson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lyricist, composition
- Alex "Ali" Dean – bass, keyboards, drum pad, lyricist, composition
- Dan Searle – drums, percussion, programming, lyricist, composition, production
Additional personnel
- Zakk Cervini – mixing
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[11] | 21 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[1] | 18 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Architects charts". Billboard. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Carter, Emily (20 January 2021). "Architects have unleashed a stunning new single and video, Dead Butterflies". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "ARCHITECTS Release Music Video For New Single 'Dead Butterflies'". Blabbermouth.net. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b Reilly, Nick (20 January 2021). "Architects share powerful new single 'Dead Butterflies'". NME. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (20 January 2021). "ARCHITECTS Unleashes Orchestral New Song "Dead Butterflies"". Metal Injection. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Trapp, Philip (20 January 2021). "Architects Drop 'Dead Butterflies,' an Anthemic New Song That Shows Their Growth". Loudwire. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Brown, Paul (20 January 2021). "Architects Debut Stadium Rock Banger 'Dead Butterflies'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b Condon, Dan (9 February 2021). "Lose yourself in the beautiful darkness of Architects' 'Dead Butterflies'". Double J. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Dowd, Rachael (21 January 2021). "Architects unveil atmospheric video for "Dead Butterflies"—watch". AltPress. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Sievers, Alex (21 January 2021). "Architects' 'Dead Butterflies' is the best single thus far from new album". KillYourStereo. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Architects Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2022.