Celestial Completion

Becoming the Archetype | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Solid State Records
• ASIN: B004MYOVZK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,205 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #50 in Music > Christian > Hard Rock & Metal

Editorial Reviews

Adding a new chapter to an already impressive release history, Becoming the Archetype returns with their fourth and most diverse record yet on Solid State Records. Produced and mixed by Matt Goldman (The Chariot, Underoath, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE), Celestial Completion is one of the year's most anticipated metal releases. With a wave of new sounds, the record is an experimental celebration that succeeds on every level, mixing Becoming The Archetype's patented progressively heavy sound with the sound of trombones, sitars, and guest operatic vocals. Filled with innovation and precision, Celestial Completion elevates the band to a level of unrivaled musicianship and songwriting.The record is sure to be a favorite for fans of Between the Buried and Me, Soilwork, and Living Sacrifice.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars. No doubt. March 29, 2011

By Charles Wesley

Format:Audio CD

Where to begin? At the beginning, I suppose.

I have been anticipating this album since early February. The album title was released on December 6, 2010, and the lyrics on January 21, 2010, but the hype really started building on February 14, 2010, when the first song, "Magnetic Sky" was released. With all this hype, there's always the possibility of being let down? Was this the case for me? Not at all.

[scroll to the bottom if you just want the summary]

"Celestial Completion" starts with a song titled "Resonant Frequency of Flesh." I'm a huge power metal fan, so this was quite a treat for me. The track is quite theatrical with plenty of bombast, including string arrangements, opera vocals, and soaring vocals from guitarists Seth Hecox and Daniel Gailey. [5 stars]

The second track, and the first released, "The Magnetic Sky" has powerful use of rhythm, and masterful use of pinch harmonics. The vocal melody and harmony are well-written and executed perfectly. This song also includes a short breakdown [just short and complex enough to not be cliche]. [4 stars]

"Internal Illumination" . . . "Let's Go!!!" The opening riff is very metalcore-ish, but it does quickly move on to a prog-metal flavor with just a hint of death metal. This song slows its tempo 4 times as the song progresses, and this makes for max brutality. Heck yes. The ending is quite nasty... as in sick. nasty. awesome. [4 stars]

"Path of the Beam" starts out with a feel similar to "Epoch of War" from "Physics of Fire," Becoming the Archetype's sophomore album. The vocal parts on this track are all masterful, from Jason Wisdom's "lion's growl," to the nearly R&B sounding melodic vocals, and Daniel's high-pitched scream being interjected every so often. [5 stars]

The next three tracks were originally going to be one long song... but instead, the Archetype boys opted to split their "Requiem Aeternam" into three parts.

Track number FIVE. Of course this one has to be instrumental. Ever since Becoming the Archetype's debut album, track number five has always been instrumental. "Music of the Spheres: Requiem Aeternam I" certainly lives up to the reputation of their other instrumental pieces. Based around the piano, this track is very well-composed, haunting, almost. The sound effects add to the atmosphere, and the clarinet adds a nice touch as well. [5 stars]

"Elemental Wrath: Requiem Aeternam II" starts out with some lovely sitar sounds. Yes, sitar. The opening riff is dark and brooding, and the vocoder that comes in adds a nice touch. When the tempo picks up, so does Daniel's soloing - a great solo. The song progression reminds me a little of "Elegy," which is quite nice considering there were no truly "progressive" tracks on "Dichotomy," BTA's third album. The effects during the piano solo are quite nice, and the outro from this interlude leads into the ending quite well. [5 stars]

By far the darkest song on this album, "Xenosynthesis: Requiem Aeternam III" is a piece of compositional art. The female opera vocals singing "Soli Deo Gloria" [Latin for "to God alone be glory"] are entirely chilling. Daniel's high-pitched echoing is eerie as well. [5 stars]

Another instrumental interlude, "Invisible Creature" showcases just how far BTA will push the sound of metal. This song gives a nod to Ryan Clark, the art designer for the album, and features. . . the sitar! It also includes Indian percussion. A lovely song. [5 stars]

"Cardiac Rebellion" is certainly. . . interesting. The gang vocals and trombone are weird at first, but they really grow on the listener upon the second and third go-round. The jazz interlude and ska ending section are completely epic. Totally blew my mind once I got over the weirdness. [5 stars]

"Reflect/Refract" probably has its greatest strength in its great lyrical imagery. Structurally, it is superb, but as far as execution goes, it is frankly a little boring [minus Daniel's solo, which is awesome]. The song does progress more towards the end, but it builds too slow for my liking. [4 stars]

The intro for the last track "Breathing Light" is an interesting one for metal. It would feel quite at home in a modern CCM song [e.g. Fee, Hillsong], but it fits into the structure of the song beautifully. Daniel's singing voice is one of my favorite parts of this band, now, and one of my favorite parts of this song. The gang vocals and some rather boring riffs knock a star off of this song, but it doesn't ruin the track overall. The song also includes interesting tambourine and shaker usage during a very interesting breakdown. And of course, no Becoming the Archetype album is complete without an excellent outro. [4 stars]

Summary:

Becoming the Archetype has done it again, pushing the boundaries of metal into celestial realms. The lyrics are theologically sound as always and more poetic than previous albums. My most highly anticipated album of the year lived up to my expectations. Long live BTA.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome. April 2, 2011

By Adam

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been a fan of several solid state records artists for many years. This includes Haste the Day, Norma Jean, The Showdown, and Oh, Sleeper. I have never really listened to BTA, but I listened to the album through a link on the solid state website and was pleasantly surprised. I bought it yesterday. After listening to this about six times, I am blown away every time back through the album. There is something new that I didn't hear the last time around. It is different from most of what I'm used to, but it is a welcome change. If you like this style of music but want something a little different while maintaining pure awesomeness, you should buy this. I am now a huge fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossover Success In The Making May 9, 2011

By Scott Rosenbluth

Format:Audio CD

This album really surprised me. Not only did it initially grab me, but after repeated listenings, it just keeps getting better! How did a christian metalcore band, progress this quickly between releases? I would still call this metalcore, BUT, it is the best possible concoction of hardcore, metal, many different instruments including a horn section, and (lets face it) christian youth sing-song?!!?! The metal is technical and layered, the hardcore is tough and dense and the choruses swell like rapturous hymns! It sounds so well blended that when I say crossover success, I mean MAINSTREAM. These guys could blow up pretty soon, so listen to this now, blow your mind, then get on the bandwagon!