Architects ProfileSam Carter, the longtime vocalist of the British metalcore outfit Architects, has shared a candid post about how online criticism and “constant judgment” feed into his anxiety and sucks the joy out of performing.
In a lengthy statement shared Friday (16 October), Carter revealed that constant criticism of his live performances has made him doubt his abilities as a vocalist. He also explained that continuous scrutiny and negativity around his performances have been “crushing” him.
“It’s time for me to be honest here, and it’s not going to be easy, as it’s something I’ve worked tirelessly at over the last year,” his post began.
“My anxiety and constant focus on my voice have gotten me to a place where the joy of performing has been taken away from me. I got to a place where, whenever I go to scream, the voice inside my head stops me from being able to do the job that I’ve done for the last 20 or so years.”
Adding that “online discourse around my voice and the constant judgment” have led him down “a tunnel that I’ve struggled to get out of,” Carter explained that the online discourse “got really loud” after the band’s recent performance at Germany’s Rock am Ring, where he tried a new technique in front of 90,000 people.
“The more I tried, the crueler the comments over the summer got, and it led me to a place where I was physically and emotionally shot,” he wrote. “My performance anxiety had gotten out of control, and I wasn’t able to enjoy anything about the band or being on stage.”
Carter explained that, in recent months, he’s worked “tirelessly” to “try and get to a point where my scream feels back to where it belongs,” enlisting help from David Benites of the Extreme Vocal Academy.
Sharing gratitude for his wife and bandmates for their support over the last year, Carter said his loved ones have been worried as his mental health has deteriorated and stress has increased. “I can’t begin to tell you how loved I feel, but it’s time to let you guys in on how much it’s crushing me,” he wrote.
“The comments and the judgment have got too much. I’m a human being trying my hardest up there, and some things aren’t going to be perfect,” he continued. “I’m in therapy every week and on medication to help my anxiety.
“Trust me when I say there isn’t a stone I haven’t left unturned. I didn’t grow up with perfect technique. I grew up screaming and barely being able to hear myself, playing in front of nobody. So, this is me being honest and letting go.”
At the conclusion of his post, Carter said he’s dreamed of having a “Sam’s Back” moment, “but that’s not real life,” he wrote. “Maybe this is actually my moment to come back to a life where I’m not thinking about this shit every waking moment.”
Ahead of Architects’ upcoming shows with Korn, Carter said he’ll be screaming the band’s words “from a place of passion and determination. Ultimately, I want to get back to a place where I’m having fun with my friends on stage. It’s not going to be perfect, but I’m not, so that’s that.”
He concluded his post by reminding people to be kind, as you never know what somebody else is going through.
Architects toured Australia last December in support of their latest album, The Sky, The Earth & All Between, released in February 2025. They played the gigs with special guests House of Protection and PRESIDENT.
The Sky, The Earth & All Between followed Architects’ recent stadium-opening stints for Metallica and Linkin Park, respectively.
