Architects part ways with guitarist Josh Middleton

Architects guitarist Josh Middleton has departed the band.

The news was confirmed by an Instagram post on the band's account, depicting the five members onstage after supporting Metallica.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce Josh’s time in the band has come to an end," reads the statement. "It has gradually become apparent that we need to go our separate ways, but we remain close friends.

"Josh was a life raft for the band after we lost Tom and he gave us a way to keep the band alive through the hardest experience or our lives. We will always be grateful to him for that.

"We wish him the best in his future endeavours and we suggest that everyone keeps an eye out for the new Sylosis record later this year."

After joining Architects as the band's touring guitarist in 2016 following the death of Tom Searle, Josh became the full-time six-stringer in 2017 while still remaining the main man in his original band Sylosis, releasing new single Deadwood earlier this year.

Architects will play the main stage of this year's Download Festival on June 9.

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