I have been a big fan of Becoming the Archetype since the first time I heard “Terminate Damnation”. I went to a local bookstore to get Demon Hunter’s “The Triptych” and saw the cover of “Terminate”, gave it a spin and I was hooked. “Elegy” is still one of my all time favorite songs, and still makes me cry when I listen to it ( I know that might now sound metal, but girls dig dudes that have emotions). When they released “Dichotomy” in 2008, it was about the best album I have ever heard and maintains a constant rotation on my play list. When I heard about “Celestial Completion” I was stoked, but for some reason the samples didn’t intrigue me as much (I noticed later, when I listened to the whole disc, it seems to flow in a cohesive manner, where as the samples were released out of order), and I found “Dichotomy” hard to top in my mind. I got the new CD “Celestial Completion” when I went to see them at their CD Release party (See review here.)
The quick take: This is one finely crafted piece of metal musicianship that mixes heavy slabs of metal, ethereal wisps of atmosphere, technical playing, and layers it with deep lyrics about our spiritual being. Could possibly be the “Rubber Soul” of Progressive Death Metal. Yeah I said that. And I will say this as well: they are the Beatles of death metal. Hopefully there isn’t a Yoko to screw this one up.
The longer take: Overall I would put this album up there with “Dichotomy”. Only time will tell if it will rise above that one. But it is worthy competition. There is an overall message of the end times in this CD. But where most bands focus on the death and destruction, the fear and wrath of it all, BTA points past the dark clouds and reveals the sun behind them. The great reward that each Christian is to look to. This album lifts me up. It makes me want to conquer myself, to live to my best, to help people change their lives for the better. There are elements that remind me of C.S. Lewis and LOST in the way that they tackle the subject matter.
To me, BTA keeps getting better with age. I’ve read quotes where they sound like they tire of the status quo of death metal, and it worried me that we would lose a creative behemoth or that they would churn out the most creative turd known to mankind. But it seems that this instead propels them to greater heights and deeper depths. I love what they are doing. I’m tired of the screamers, cookie-monster cutter vocals and the playing that is prevalent with current bands. BTA keeps not only my faith in God alive, but my faith in Christian Metal, faith in the music scene to survive, and faith in a future generation to carry the flame. It does this in a way that is not pandering or condescending. BTA sings songs that are not preaching down to someone, but preaching up. Like a coach motivating someone to something better.
Do this band a favor and BUY the CD. Oh, and if you see Jason, buy that boy some sweet tea!
My Track by Track Breakdown
“The Resonant Frequency of Flesh” – 2:11 – This cool little intro reminds me of a movie soundtrack score as the beginning credits role (maybe a little Danny Elfman in there?) It quickly leads into a monkish chant and then kicks in with guitar and drums, then fades back to the chant.
“The Magnetic Sky” – 4:26 – I love, LOVE the pinched harmonic riff on this, as well as the drone-ish chorus of this song. I guess there are some complaints of the clean vocals that BTA has been doing in their latest music. Get over it. It sets them apart from the noise. This song speaks wonderfully to the heart, that even though we see and end coming to this world, with earthquakes, famines, floods and wars, that it’s end is ultimately the doorway to something much more beautiful – the coming of Jesus Christ, the bridegroom to a battered bride. The marriage of the church. We can look to an eternal life, beyond pain and suffering, with the God who IS love. I think the CD is worth this song alone.
“Internal Illumination” – 5:10 – The beginning riff on this song is just huge and nasty. One of the highlights of this song, is the deep soul guttural call of “No more painting shadows, on the canvas of life, no more drinking water, out of wells that are dry”. This song is a call for us to wake up, and realize what we have been given as Christians, and to USE it.
“Path of the Beam” – 5:00 – I love the beginning riff on this song, and it was fun seeing them perform it live. This overall has more of a classic BTA sound to it. It also has some cool John Lennon sounding voxs in it.
“Music of the Spheres: Requiem Aeternam Part I” – 1:33 – This is the prerequisite song number five instrumental, a sweet little piano piece (with flute) showcasing Count Seth’s skills. It leads into a “Ironmanish” bass beat for the next song.
“Elemental Wrath: Requiem Aeternam Part II” – 7:51 – The bass beat from the last song is accompanied by a tasty guitar riff in the beginning. This song has a plodding deepness to it, that reflects the lyrics. Love the effect on Jason’s voice when he say “I AM THE OCEAN“. This song also has the mellow break down in the middle that builds into the next song.
“Xenosynthesis: Requiem Aeternam Part III” – 3:16 – This is one of the blacker sounding songs on the disc. Parts of it remind me of “The Physics of Fire”. There is even some sweet operatic vocals in it!
“Invisible Creature” – 0:41 – Hey, it’s got sitar! I wish that it was a little longer, but it plays well into the next song.
“Cardiac Rebellion” – 5:17 – What instrument is more metal than “horns”? It fits in with the theme of the song. It’s about a change in our being, the Spirit of God breaking through our sinful being. What better to show this example, than to do something different to the genre? And there is a cool swing/solo at the end. This could be a great song to hear live with a horn section.
“Reflect/Refract” – 4:37 – This has more of a classic BTA feel to me. I love when Daniel screams “RAY-DEE-AY-SHUN!!!”. This song definitely has a creshendo at the end, that has to be played live, because who wouldn’t want to scream out “BREAK ME! REMAKE ME! A MIRROR THAT REFLECTS YOUR GLORY!“BREAK ME! MAKE ME! A MIRROR THAT REFLECTS YOUR PERFECT LIGHT!”“
“Breathing Light” – 6:32 – The first thought that comes to mind is that this is BTA’s “poppiest” song. Is that even possible? I’m not talking Justin Bieber here, just something catchier, in a growling death metal way. A beautiful song, that kicks butt as well. I love the atmospheric vocals in this song.