Becoming the Archetype – The Physics of Fire
Solid State Records/Century Media Records – CD33106-2 – June 18, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Hotlanta’s
Becoming the Archetype have undergone a couple line-up changes since they dropped
Terminate Damnation via Solid State in 2005. Now a four-piece, the regrouped roster includes none other than Alex Kenis, who is known for his work with the incredibly promising
Aletheian. Look out for the re-release of
Dying Vine on Ironclad Recordings in the near future. To get to the matter at hand, though,
The Physics of Fire does exhibit minor growth, and while that’s encouraging, it doesn’t make for required listening. Instead, this is oft-melodic death metal that deserves a passing glance, if not a bit more.
So if you’ve stuck it out this far, then you probably don’t mind the band’s ties to Christianity or occasional -core moments. Thankfully,
Becoming the Archetype warrant a look regardless. While polished,
‘Epoch of War’ proves a solid opener, with plenty of melodies, leads, growls, and soaring clean vocals, but also sounds smoother around the edges than I’d prefer. The keyboards in
‘Immolation’ and the vocal-free
‘Nocturne’ dominate the soundscape – someone’s been listening to
Dimmu Borgir – though retreat later in favor of guitar-led instrumentation, which was a good move in my opinion. Piano makes a cameo here and elsewhere, however, as does organ in
‘Construct and Collapse,’ among other places. A few songs get right down to business (
‘Autopsy,’ ‘The Great Fall,’ ‘The Monolith,’ ‘Endure,’ and
‘Fire Made Flesh’), whereas the lengthy, heavy-handed closers
‘Second Death,’ at 6:03, and
‘The Balance of Eternity,’ at 8:49, take their time getting off the ground.
Despite pros like airtight musicianship, above average songwriting, and an overall fresh sound, there’s nothing on
The Physics of Fire that is truly stunning. In fact, many of the riffs, leads, and clean vocal parts come across like standard issues.
Becoming the Archetype are improving, though, so perhaps the follow-up will take the recently solidified quartet to new heights. For now, they’re only pretty good.
Official Becoming the Archetype Website
Official Solid State Records Website
Official Century Media Records Website
