Customer Reviews

Physics of Fire

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since their first release, "Terminate Damnation", Becoming the Archetype has by far become one of my favorite metal bands of all time. I listened to the first album so much that I know all of the lyrics to every song, and have never really looked at a lyrics cheat-sheet. So, needless to say, when BTA announced the new CD I was excited. All I could really see happening when the lineup change was announced was something good, especially after I listened to some of Aletheian's stuff (the band which Alex Kenis also plays with).

The first thing I can say is that this album is a lot different from the first. While the first seemed to sort of carry on in the same death-metalcore style previous trekked out by legendary band Living Sacrifice, this CD definately heads in a more progressive direction. All I can say is that the lineup change with adding Kenis in on lead guitar made them go where few (American) Christian metal bands have gone in recent years. While the last album was somewhat lacking in technically challenging lead guitar parts, The Physics of Fire is chock-full of guitar solos and licks that would make any lover of Steve Vai, Rusty Cooley, or John Petrucci cry.

I can also say that the mixing and production quality on the CD is a step up from the first. Terminate Damnation's mixing and whatnot, while excellent, was done in more of a style that suits metalcore bands such as As I Lay Dying and August Burns Red, while The Physics of Fire's mix and production reaks of Opeth and Scar Symmetry-esque dynamics.

Another thing to note about this album is something not seen very often - it's a concept album, which I believe adds greatly to the value and integrity of the music. Every single song on the CD intertwine with each other to tell an epic story, with 4 of the songs creating the 4 part "The Physics of Fire" Suite.

I'd also rate this album high on playability...This CD has dominated my mp3 player, my Winamp playlists, and my car stereo ever since i picked it up on release date.

Go out, get this album, and prepare for the horns to be upped instantly.

Sophomore efforts from bands are always a risky purchase, because you don't really know what to expect. This early in a bands excistence, a band usually hasn'y fully matured or found itself yet, so a lot of times a band will come out with a stellar debut album, then drop off into mediocrity after that. Happens more so now a days with the whole nu metal scene where seemingly theres a new band out everyday that sounds just like the last, and three months later you read about them disbanding. Fortunatly for Becoming the Archetype, they not only brought the quality of their debut album to the sophomore effort, but the unique and original sound also. This is the same band as we knew the first time around, only I feel that their sound is more fleshed out and smooth. I feel this album is more melodic and less progressive than the last, where the debut album was vice versa. There are no songs like The Trivial Paroxysm which seemed to be all over the place on this album. The sound of the last album was stellar and unique but I have to admit the sound did kind of throw you off a little bit sometimes. This album is a little easier to listen to. In the end though, both albums are must have for any metal head. A unique listen, no metalcore here, just pure awesomeness.

These guys are awesome to say the least. Their first disk was a masterpiece and this one isn't far off. My only beef with this CD is the guy that's trying to "sing" I'm sorry but he ruins that part of the song. Thankfully he doesn't do it that often. If they want to add singing that's fine but I think they need to get someone that actually can do a good job and have it so it fits with the music. Other than that it's awesome.

I love this cd! I recently saw this band with to speak of wolves and they ruled. I love the heaviness that mixes with the almost rush like changes, a must for any heavy, death metal type music lovers. the solos and messages are inspirational and it's nice to hear this in such a heavy environment. the bass players growling scream is awesome and when that meshes with the guitarist's clean vocals and the keyboard(yes I said keyboard, and it's awesome. a rare thing to hear on a metal album)it's a beautiful, brutal thing.

Mixing elements of 80's heavy metal, classical, metalcore, deathcore and even medieval/progressive undertones, "Becoming The Archetype" has crafted one of the finest metal albums I've ever heard. The lyrics are wonderful and deal with Biblical issues and themes (refreshing and motivating in a sea of downer metal bands) and the concept of the album (while seemingly abstract) is wholly thought provoking and interesting.

If you like death metal vocals (a.k.a. Ryan Clark) with a metalcore twist (August Burns Red) with a dash of gothic fantasy metal and a whole lot of progressive goodness... You will adore this album.

This CD has quite a few great tracks on it, but it isn't a CD you can put on continues play and forget about hitting the next button. I would recommend this CD for those tracks that are amazing for the reason that they are some of the best songs I have listened to latley.

My current bands: As I Lay Dying, Caliban, Every Time I Die, End Well, It Dies Today. If you like these, you will like this CD.

I've heard of this band for some time now but never bought this CD. I had a chance to get it free so I took the opportunity. The first video I saw was for Endure and thought to myself not much there. I WAS WRONG. Most of the songs are metal with progressive metal more imagination of what Endure is. I STRESS the progressive because it is a big part of what they do. I feel they picked a wrong song (Endure) to have a video for. The song does not express their true nature. This is a good album though. Nothing new here but solid metal. Metal fans will like it for what it is.

i enjoyed this cd- don't get me wrong, but I thought it wasnt as good as the first. I think part of it has to do with the production, the over the top progressive vocals (which i didnt like) and of course it was sooo short! Next time guys add a couple more songs!

Other than that you can expect some good shredding, lyrics, and drumming which has made this band what it is today.

I really hate reviews... Music is subjective in itself, so to offer a review is not much more than talking to people that have similar interests... with that being said...

This is really good stuff, I mean really good. The production quality is excellent and the substance in this music must be heard to be appreciated. I didn't get to this place in music easily and can certainly understand people that don't "get" this style / sound, but if you do, you are in for a treat.

As the first song opens with a snobbish little hammered dulcimer bit that builds with some grove and then just flat out assaults the listener with technical, massive blasts that demand as much from your volume knob as can be tolerated.

This band breaks away from the norm and gets you to another place.

This album is definitely a step forward for this band. Their last album was great, but this one is even better! Adding the element of clean vocals to some of the songs does not take away from the power and drive of the album. In fact, I find it to be a worthy addition. This band is on the right track for sure. They offer plenty of diversity to keep you interested and their lyrics are well written. Buy this album!