Becoming the Archetype

Becoming the Archetype
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Christian metal, metalcore, progressive death metal
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Solid State, Century Media
Associated acts	Aletheian, Demon Hunter
Website	www.celestialcompletion.com
Members
Chris McCane "Count" Seth Hecox Daniel Gailey Michael McClellan
Past members
Jon Star Sean Cunningham Wes Gaither Jacob Franklin Alex Kenis Brandon Lopez Jason Wisdom Brent "Duck" Duckett

Becoming the Archetype is a Christian progressive death metal band signed to Solid State Records and Century Media Records (Europe) formed in 1999 in Dacula, Georgia. They have released four albums on Solid State Records. Dichotomy, released in November 2008, sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The CD debuted at No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The band is part of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.

History

Terminate Damnation (2004–2006)

Before joining Solid State Records, the band was called The Remnant and released an independent self-titled album. In December 2004, the band signed with Solid State and released their first nation-wide album, Terminate Damnation, named after a song by Christian death metal band Mortification, produced by Tue Madsen. The album blended elements of progressive metal, death metal and metalcore.

In 2006 The band's long time lead guitarist, and one of the primary songwriters Jon Star decided to leave the band for personal reasons, but on good terms.

Terminate Damnation is being released on vinyl by Broken Circle Records with a limited pressing of 500 in early May.

The Physics of Fire (2006–2008)

The band's first tour of 2006 was a 24-date run in Europe with The Chariot and Shaped by Fate with lead guitar replacement, Alex Kenis from progressive death metal group, Aletheian. In July 2006, original guitarist Sean Cunningham left the band for his last semester in college and to pursue a full-time career. Determined to press on, in the fall of 2006, the band went back into the studio with producer Andreas Magnusson (The Agony Scene, Scarlet, The Black Dahlia Murder, Calico System, Twelve Tribes); The Physics of Fire, was released May 2007. The band promoted the album on "The Trilogy of Hairs" (Bring Your Own Beard, Peel Your Wig Back, Born With a Mustache) tour. The beardskull artwork for the Bring Your Own Beard has been dubbed "Clifton", and is BTA's mascot, according to Jason Wisdom. Also, Brent Duckett took an indefinite break from the band in late 2007 for personal reasons.

Dichotomy (2008–2010)

In 2008, there were some important personnel changes. Alex Kenis left and was replaced by the band's former lead guitarist, Jon Star. In the spring of 2008 The band wrote the material for its 3rd studio album and recorded the project with stand-in drummer Brandon Lopez in Summer '08 with producer Devin Townsend. In November 2008, the band released Dichotomy. The album's concept was inspired by the Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis and uses the same themes of biology vs technology, and man vs machine. The sixth song on the album, "Ransom" is, for instance, named after the main character of the trilogy. On October 31, 2008, Brent "Duck" Duckett returned. The band was featured in the 2008 Nov/Dec issue of HM Magazine and tour support also followed. In October 2009, the band released a new single titled "Necrotizing Fasciitis". The single was packaged with a Necrotizing Fasciitis-themed shirt. "Clifton", the Beardskull, returned on the single's artwork.

In 2010, Becoming the Archetype's lead guitarist, Jon Star, left the band, and was replaced with guitarist Daniel Gailey.

Celestial Completion (2011–present)

Celestial Completion is Becoming the Archetype's fourth studio album. They released a single on February 14, 2011, called The Magnetic Sky, in order to promote the album. The record includes many new concepts including parts with sitars and trombones. It was recorded in Glow in the Dark studios in Atlanta, Georgia with Matt Goldman from October through November 2010 and was released on March 29, 2011. Beginning on Friday, March 18, 2011, Becoming The Archetype released one new song from Celestial Completion per day until the album's release as a part of the "12 days of BTA." The video for The Magnetic Sky premiered at MetalSucks.net on March 29.

In late November, Seth Hecox announced on the band's official website that Jason Wisdom and Brent Duckett were leaving the band. He also announced former live fill in Chris McCane would be the new lead vocalist, and they had found a new drummer (later announced on their facebook as Michael McClellan), and were in the process of finding a new bassist. He also said he and lead guitarist Daniel Gailey were writing songs for the next album. Hecox stated that the band might enter the studio as early as March 2012.

Etymology

The members are professed Christians, and the band take their name from Genesis 1:26: "God said, 'Let us make man in our image.'" Since Jesus Christ was the only person to ever be sinless, He was the archetype of humanity; the band's name reflects this belief. In 2008 interview with The Full Armor of God Broadcast, Jason Wisdom summed up the band's philosophy stating "If we are not making a difference for the Lord, then we are just out there making noise!"

Band members

Current members

• Chris McCane - lead vocals (2011–present)
• Seth "Count Seth" Hecox – rhythm guitar, keyboards, clean vocals (2004–present)
• Daniel Gailey – lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
• Michael McClellan - drums, percussion (2011–present)

Former members

• Jason Wisdom – lead vocals (1999–2011), bass (2003–2011)
• Jon Star – lead guitar (1999–2006, 2008–2010)
• Sean Cunningham – guitar (1999–2006)
• Wes Gaither – bass (2000–2003)
• Jacob Franklin – guitar (2001–2004)
• Alex Kenis – lead guitar, vocals (2006–2008)
• Brandon Lopez – drums (2008)
• Brent "Duck" Duckett – drums (1999–2008, 2008–2011)

Discography

As Nonexistent Failure

• In Loving Memory of Everything... I Never Had (2002, demo)

As The Remnant

• The Remnant (2003, Full-length, self-released)
• Death, Destruction, and Mayhem (2004, demo)

As Becoming the Archetype

Albums

Year	Title	Label	Chart peaks
			US	US Heat	US Christ
2005	Terminate Damnation	Solid State Records	—	—	—
2007	The Physics of Fire		—	13	19
2008	Dichotomy		—	19	41
2011	Celestial Completion		—	7	18

Singles

• "Necrotizing Fasciitis" (non-album digital single, 2009, Solid State)

Music videos

• "Endure" (The Physics Of Fire) – 2007
• "The Magnetic Sky" (Celestial Completion) – 2011
• "Breathing Light" (Celestial Completion) – 2011

External links

• Official site
• Becoming the Archetype on Myspace
• Becoming the Archetype at Encyclopaedia Metallum
• Solid State Records
• Becoming the Archetype on Facebook