NewsAugust 21, 2016 10:08 AM ET49,619 views

Architects guitarist Tom Searle dies

Tom Searle of Architects band dies Tom Searle, lead guitarist and co-founder of British metalcore band Architects, has passed away at age 28 following a three-year cancer battle. Drummer, and brother, Dan Searle issued the following statement this morning:
"It is with unbelievable pain and sadness that I have to announce that at around twelve minutes past midnight on August 20th my amazing brother, Tom, passed away after over 3 years living with cancer. "He was an incredible songwriter and guitarist. He was my closest and oldest friend. He was a funny, intelligent and sweet man and he leaves an enormous void in all of our lives. "Many of you will be aware that Tom has been absent from various shows over the past 15 months and I can now let you know that this was due to various surgeries that he had to have to treat the cancer. When we left for our European Festival tour on June 2nd Tom was very unwell. He had been advised to stay in hospital to receive care but ultimately there was nothing that they could do for him and he signed himself out of the ward two days before we departed for Germany. Some of you might view this as reckless but this is the way Tom wanted to do things throughout his last year because he never wanted the cancer to get in the way of what he loved. He got on stage and performed his last two shows at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, which took him an incredible amount of strength but those are two shows that we will never forget. "We had to cancel our European festival tour and US headline tour because on June 8th, in Luxembourg, Tom was extremely sick, we called an ambulance and he was taken into ICU. The following day he was placed into a medically induced coma and the doctors told us that it was unlikely that they'd ever be able to wake him. Five days later, against all the odds, he was awake again, and in a few short days following that, myself and Tom cancelled the air ambulance that was due to take him home and we got the Eurostar train home. Classic Tom Searle. "He spent the last 2 months of his life fighting with everything he had to overcome the disease once and for all, and things appeared to be moving in the right direction, but in the last 2 weeks it suddenly took a turn for the worse and finally he left us. "I don't know what will become of Architects. Me and Tom started playing in a band together when we were 13 and, really, Architects is just an evolution of the band that we started all the way back then, over half my life ago. To pretend that Tom wasn't at the heart of everything that the band created would be to show a complete lack of respect to the amazing talent that he was. The band will never be the same and there is simply no denying it. "We will 100% tour All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us, there is no doubt about that. We will be going to Australia in a few weeks and we will be doing our UK and European headline tour in October and November. We hope that these shows will be an opportunity for everyone out there to show their respects to my wonderful brother. It won't be easy for us to get on stage and play every night without him, but its something that we must do. "We want to carry on, that is important to say, and we will strive to do so, but we will not release any music unless we truly believe that it is something that Tom would have been proud of. Whether or not we can achieve that is something that we will have to discover in time. "The Martlets Hospice in Hove took unbelievable care of Tom in his final days. We were constantly blown away by their compassion and hard work and we feel hugely indebted to them for ensuring that we were able to make some amazing memories with Tom before he passed away. If you feel as though you'd like to contribute a donation to the Hospice in Tom's memory then please donate on the Just Giving page that we have set up. "For now we need to begin to process what has happened. Myself, Sam, Ali and Adam will need time to fully come to terms with the loss of our brother and we hope that everyone out there will continue to respect our privacy during this terribly difficult time."

63 comments

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anonymous 8/21/2016 7:23:04 AM

Aw man :(

anonymous 8/21/2016 7:24:10 AM

RIP. Amazing tunes. Metal loses yet another

anonymous 8/21/2016 7:26:16 AM

Never listened to these guys, but this is a heartbreaking read. 28 is way too young.

anonymous 8/21/2016 7:53:53 AM

Disable the families, think of the comments

anonymous 8/21/2016 7:58:45 AM

RIP, terrible news

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:10:17 AM

Absolutely devastating.

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:11:05 AM

RIP man. Awful news

fourthgradecocktease 8/21/2016 8:15:33 AM

Architects have never really been my cup of tea, but I've heard nothing but good things about them from so many other bands that I've gotten to see, enjoy or know personally. Got a lot of respect for them, this is pretty terrible and they seem to be handling it with grace. As someone else in their 20's who struggles with a potentially fatal disease, this hits home. RIP, man.

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:29:57 AM

This is a tragic loss. He was a very talented guitarist and this puts their last album's lyrics in a different and substantially sadder light. It's profoundly inspiring to hear how much he fought to do what he loved right until the end.

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:42:31 AM

This is absolutely crushing. Tom was a great dude and will be sorely missed by many. RIP

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:46:47 AM

I wonder why it's always necessary to add "wasn't my cup of tea BUT" or "they were a terrible band BUT" when giving condolences when someone in a band passes away. It's always bothered me. Rest in Peace man. Sounds like you fought hard until the end.

OrgCore 8/21/2016 9:01:39 AM

Very sad to hear, Rest in Power.

rick____tocchet 8/21/2016 9:13:18 AM

He is floating around the cosmos now.

anonymous 8/21/2016 9:16:30 AM

Very sad to read. I hope the best for his family and friends.

anonymous 8/21/2016 9:24:30 AM

I am so sorry for your losses, May you find peace and comfort soon. And May he find peace with the lord.

genghisjohn 8/21/2016 10:10:35 AM

anonymous1 hour ago I wonder why it's always necessary to add "wasn't my cup of tea BUT" or "they were a terrible band BUT" when giving condolences when someone in a band passes away. It's always bothered me. Rest in Peace man. Sounds like you fought hard until the end. Because honesty is better than pretending to be a lifelong fan.

fourthgradecocktease 8/21/2016 10:23:06 AM

Exactly ^^^ It's also showing that his talent and good nature were recognized even outside of his circle of fans.

anonymous 8/21/2016 10:51:02 AM

I'm Rick Harrison, and this is my pawn shop. I work here with my old man and my son, Big Hoss. Everything in here has a story and a price. One thing I've learned after 21 years - you never know what is gonna come through that door.

anonymous 8/21/2016 10:51:34 AM

ourthgradec-cktease22 minutes ago Exactly ^^^ It's also showing that his talent and good nature were recognized even outside of his circle of fans. permalink | report abuse Very big of those people to forgive him for the very serious crime of making music that they didn't personally enjoy

marching_band_rules 8/21/2016 10:56:06 AM

Yeah, that explanation was unbelievably narcissistic, just like it is to say 'not a fan, but,'

marching_band_rules 8/21/2016 10:57:31 AM

Not a fan, but even though the condolences have to move through my taste first, I'll let them this time

menstrualmath 8/21/2016 11:10:45 AM

Well this just ruined my day :/ Architects fcking shreds, RIP

anonymous 8/21/2016 11:27:55 AM

really impressed at the behavior in the comments section...and I am being 100% sincere and not snarky in say that. I was kind of scared to look at them because I thought someone(s) would want to be a funny guy. Pretty awesome move by the metal community/lambgoat fanbase.

anonymous 8/21/2016 11:32:10 AM

^Yeah, There are some dumb asses that post here but not too many human beings are gonna start making a joke of a young talented dude who had a multiple year battle with cancer. You would hope not....

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:02:59 PM

"I wonder why it's always necessary to add "wasn't my cup of tea BUT" or "they were a terrible band BUT" when giving condolences when someone in a band passes away. It's always bothered me. Rest in Peace man. Sounds like you fought hard until the end." Narcissism. Gotta make it about themselves.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:14:15 PM

Wow even the trolls are behaving.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:14:23 PM

Lambgoats never been my cup of tea BUT, please disable the comments.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:19:56 PM

Writing, recording and playing music while battling cancer until the very end is inspiring. There are no excuses to stop you from doing what you love. Tom made a powerful statement with this, and not playing it up for sympathy while he was alive too. Just let the music speak for itself. Also, having the donations go to the hospice center is a classy move. This whole situation was handled with grace and class. Rest in peace.

genghisjohn 8/21/2016 12:22:32 PM

anonymous5 minutes ago Wow even the trolls are behaving. Because we're adults. Not kids whose fullest extent of the English language is "narcissism".

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:23:30 PM

RIP Tom. Your life and love that you had and shared are inspirational. Will be missed.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:24:43 PM

Damn, condolences to the family and bandmates. RIP

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:28:56 PM

Other way around genghisjohn. Only children make the death of musicians about themselves.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:33:32 PM

f​uck. worst news. :(

fourthgradecocktease 8/21/2016 12:38:49 PM

You guys are totally taking the comment the wrong way, not trying to make it about me at all. Just sharing how the death made me feel, I don't see how saying "this ruined my day" or anything like that would be any different. Thought I would post something human on this site for once, whoops.

fourthgradecocktease 8/21/2016 12:41:11 PM

Legitimately apologize if "not my cup of tea" was hurtful in any way to anyone whose opinion on this situation actually matters

fourthgradecocktease 8/21/2016 12:43:30 PM

"Writing, recording and playing music while battling cancer until the very end is inspiring. There are no excuses to stop you from doing what you love. Tom made a powerful statement with this, and not playing it up for sympathy while he was alive too. Just let the music speak for itself. Also, having the donations go to the hospice center is a classy move. This whole situation was handled with grace and class. Rest in peace." 100% man. Definitely inspiring.

anonymous 8/21/2016 12:58:08 PM

First off, fck CANCER!!! This is terrible news and is compounded by the fact this is a great band and he was a very talented guitarist! A huge loss but I hope the band finds the strength to continue on!

hardware 8/21/2016 2:23:03 PM

This blows! I bought more albums from this band than most. Cancer is an jerk! Rest in peace!

anonymous 8/21/2016 2:40:20 PM

Wall flags at half mast. This is wrenching. I did really enjoy gravedigger. RIP bro and thank you for giving it everything left when others doubted you should even try. That's a f cking back. 'Deathcore' Jon

anonymous 8/21/2016 3:35:37 PM

FÜCK CANCER

anonymous 8/21/2016 3:37:02 PM

I just shed a tear to a god damn 'deathcore' Jon post

anonymous 8/21/2016 5:03:00 PM

RIP brother. I watched the Architects play at Warped Tour in 2013 in San Antonio. Best band there.

anonymous 8/21/2016 5:31:26 PM

I wonder why it's always necessary to add "wasn't my cup of tea BUT" or "they were a terrible band BUT" when giving condolences when someone in a band passes away. It's always bothered me. Rest in Peace man. Sounds like you fought hard until the end. ^^^^^ It's because of all the posers who pretended to love Prince (and Motorhead).

anonymous 8/21/2016 5:47:26 PM

Lost my drummer at 27 to a blood disease called HLH... very sad to hear. May his family find peace.

anonymous 8/21/2016 5:55:01 PM

Yolo!

Chi_Stake 8/21/2016 8:00:19 PM

You know you're a good dude when Lambgoat can't even hate you.

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:38:08 PM

good now hopefully this shit band splits up

anonymous 8/21/2016 8:44:56 PM

RIP I hope any of you idiots making stupid comments die horrible and painful deaths after watching each and every one of your loved ones die slowly

anonymous 8/21/2016 9:12:52 PM

RIP I hope any of you idiots making stupid comments die horrible and painful deaths after watching each and every one of your loved ones die slowly Calm the fck down bro. These are actually some of the most respectful I've ever seen on a Lambgoat topic involving death.

anonymous 8/21/2016 9:19:44 PM

^^ WHY DON'T YOU CALM THE fck DOWN BROO?! This place stinks and so do the comments

anonymous 8/21/2016 10:06:38 PM

should have been Frankie Palmerie. fck. rip bud

anonymous 8/21/2016 10:26:25 PM

Probably the best metalcore band ever. Rest in peace to a humble soul. Amazing guitar work.

anonymous 8/22/2016 4:00:35 AM

Holy fck. This is the most respect I've ever seen from Lambgoat. RIP.

anonymous 8/22/2016 5:28:00 AM

shocked to see no trolls. cuck fancer.

anonymous 8/22/2016 7:04:55 AM

Make lambgoat troll again

anonymous 8/22/2016 7:37:19 AM

RIP I hope any of you idiots making stupid comments die horrible and painful deaths after watching each and every one of your loved ones die slowly Dumbest comment so far on this story, congrats

anonymous 8/22/2016 8:59:07 AM

He looks like Oscar Pistorius but with legs, and more dead.

anonymous 8/22/2016 9:12:36 AM

Farts smell like egg

anonymous 8/22/2016 10:50:14 AM

R I P to this Badass Muthafuhcka! No I'm not being sarcastic. Rest In Paradise.

anonymous 8/22/2016 1:35:52 PM

sucks. nice to see people behaving. 28 is too fcking young.

anonymous 8/22/2016 5:26:05 PM

i heard it was a heroin overdose

anonymous 8/22/2016 9:27:42 PM

first Bowie, now this!? What a shitty year for legends passing away

anonymous 8/22/2016 11:12:31 PM

A fcking shame. RIP man




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