DICHOTOMY

My brother bought this CD when I took him to the local record store and I, feeling generous on this particular occasion allowed him to put the disc into my CD player for the ride home. Never before in my life have I felt something so close to aural rape that I could actually use it to describe what happened to me on that day. Friends, I have endured this trauma and I am now finally prepared to talk about it.

I come before you today, my dear readers, still trying to sort out everything in the aftermath of an assault so brutal and cruel that only a broad word like "evil" can describe it. Dichotomy may be the most evil-sounding album I have ever heard. It has no soul, it has no mind, it is just pure evil! And from a supposedly Christian band, no less. This band has the audacity to make a death metal rendition of "How Great Thou Art" bearing no musical resemblance to the famous hymn whatsoever with vocals that sound like a legion of demons. A mockery, this is not; the band is totally serious. It's not even that I am offended by this. Simply put, the band desecrated a timeless hymn that (I assume) they themselves hold dear in their hearts. It's appalling, really.

Taking a look at this album as a whole, I really don't know what to make of it lyrically. They seem to have put some though into them, but the means by which they try to deliver their message is terribly flawed. The vocals throughout are akin to a legion of demons, I swear to it. The vocals are occasionally sung, but they have no soul. No soul. There is a soul-shaped void in the vocals. Similarly, the music has no soul either. They play bludgeoning death metal with an average of one piano interlude per song that seems to have no connection with the rest of the song. How did this band get on this website anyhow? It certainly isn't because of this record. I'll be honest, I'm only vaguely familiar with the bands previous two records (neither has intrigued me, but on the same token, neither has assailed me so).

Also of note is that zany-brainy music person Devin Townsend produced this thing and has a guest vocal spot on the opening track. Devin's production may have something to do with the darkness and evil surrounding this music, but I would never say that Devy did it intentionally. Besides, the band has the creative control here. Maybe it was the sound system. I don't know, but goodness, I'm in pain.

While experimenting with many progressive elements with their first two albums, Becoming The Archetype opted this round to keep things pretty straight forward Death Metal. This album contains many elements of prog weaved in and out of the punishing tracks, but this is a Death Metal album all the way. I find this hard to really rate, as I find this one of my favorite albums of 2008, yet it almost doesn't even qualify to be here. I suspect the reason for this is due in part to the choice of Devin Townsend as the producer, becuase it feels like they started out with some real prog ideas, but for whatever reason had too much fun with the Death Metal? Not sure. But there is Prog to be found.. In tracks such as the epic End of the Age, Artificial Immortality, Dichotomy and St. Anne's Lullaby there exist some quite beautiful prog breaks, and embedded keys and atmospheres that add to the sound overall. And this leaves us with How Great Thou Art... This track surprised the heck out of me, and while some may be 'offended' or whatever.. I was blown away and think it's just plain awesome... Praising God is praising God, regardless of the voice, music or whatever. So kudos to Becoming the Archetype. While this doesn't really classify as prog like Opeth or Emerson, Lake and Palmer, it is a Progression in the sense that it has taken what has become a pre-fab genre that once innovated, and breathed new life with new sounds into the now dull and boring Death Metal genre, they have reinvented the genre, in my opinion.

3.5 really, rough and yet melodic

Becoming the Archetype is young tech/extreme metal band from USA. Dichotomy is their third album and aswell their last one relesed so far from 2008. Very impressed by this band, because this album is in the same time very rough but melodic aswell in musical aproach. Becoming the Archetype playing some melodic death metal combined with prog metal in places, not far from early In Flames or Childern of Bodom but with a more roughfer and growled voice than on those two bands. Musicaly speaking this band kick ass, really, they combined and melted so well the metalic fase with the melodic ones that the resoul is great, in places some acustic guitars interlude great with the rest of the elements. Great band who knows how to manage to come with a good album and very intristing in same time, they are not just another band from this subgenre. Very strong are the choruses and the key arrangements, just listen to the the title track Dichotomy - catchy as hell, melodic death metal of the highest calibre, great guitar parts and cool solos, musichianship is tight and very strong. Someting worth mentioning is that Devin Townsend produce this album and aswell sing some parts on their opening pice - Mountain Of Souls. So a good album, more towards great, but few minor problems appear when I'm talking about this kind of music, sometimes they are to monotonous, but as awhole is great stuff. Recommended to those who enjoy this kind of music, and one of the promising bands around today in extreme music field.

Becoming the Archetype - Dichotomy is an excellent addition to anyone's Tech/Extreme Prog Metal collection. This band is certainly not for anyone who is not a fan of the genre. I was so happy to come across this band while browsing through iTunes. The music they produce is brutal and inspirational. This is the first time I've heard a brutal band like this with such a positive message as their foundation.

The music is very technical, with many tempo shifts, and many changes in "heaviness". Some of the changes between heavy/light passages are a little disjointed, and appear to come out of nowhere. The vocalist uses growling/grunting vocals throughout, but has the ability to vary his growling method from low guttural rumblings to high pitch screams. It goes a long way to add texture to each song. A texture that many other bands in the tech/extreme metal genre lack, in my opinion.

Anyone who has ever heard the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art", should hear BTAs take on it. I've heard the hymn done in it's classic form and as a country tune, and although BTA has only borrowed the lyrics from the original, it is truly interesting to hear those lyrics screamed/growled with such passion. It is quite inspirational to have a band such as this use a genre of music that is usually devoted to negativity, for proclaiming their beliefs.

The album was produced by Devin Townsend and his excellent production values shine through. He also makes a brief appearance during Mountain of Souls in the only "clean" vocals on the album.

I would give this album a 3.5 (if it was possible) so I'll be nice and round up.

For Progressive technical death metal this is the best there is. Wonderful soaring guitars, interesting keyboard interludes, fast paced drumming, and masterful musicianship. BTA has one of the best growlers as well, Jason Wisdom screams are earth shattering and easliy discernable. He will never be Akerfeldt (Opeth), but he is awesome. BTA blends brutal and progressive elements with extreme precision. The lyrics are awesome as well with deep Christian elements. Love Deep Heaven's lyircs about how heaven is where we need to put our focus and is the true home for Christ's children. End of the Age is epic as well with lyrics expressing the Almighty's might and power. Not to forget the incredible breakdown in Ransom, "My hands have taught me terrible things, His hands have SET ME FREE!" Awesome. BTA is not your average metal band, incorporating tight musicianship and experimental elements these guys are boss. Thanks BTA! Five out five. If you don't like the great talent of growling and screaming skip this. This is not Genesis (which is a fantastic prog band anyway).

'Dichotomy' - Becoming The Archetype (6/10)

Becoming The Archetype is a band that I have seen glimmers of brilliance in, but they have never managed to really grab my imagination and run with it. 'Terminate Damnation' showed this Atlanta-based metalcore act coming onto the scene full of potential, but their following records have never really lived up to that debut. 'Dichotomy' comes close, and being the second best album from the band, it manages to spark some interest in me even after listening to it. For all of the talent, brilliant ideas and it being produced by one of the most creative minds in metal however, this album only manages to give a decent, rather than an excellent experience.

'Mountain Of Souls' shows the band at their best, going heavy on the riffs, but making sure to include ambiance and detail in the sounds. This may be in no small part due to the production talents of one Devin Townsend, best known for his fronting of Strapping Young Lad, and a keen solo career. He has a line or two of singing in 'Mountain Of Souls', and it really helps to tie Becoming The Archetype in with an artist who I really love, although on their own merits, the band does a great job here as well. It really impresses me that within the course of a single song, the band is able to span from metal to Indian raga music, to a jazzy instrumental break. Unfortunately, this sort of quality pops up only intermittently throughout the rest of this album.

A point of controversy that arises from this band is their Christian leanings and religiously- inclined lyrics. While this does not necessarily mean that the music will be bad (I have a good deal of respect for prog songster Neal Morse, who touches upon his beliefs quite a bit), the Christian overtones in 'Dichotomy' are very poorly disguised, to the point that they are somewhat tasteless. Hearing a grimy breakdown with guttural vocals screaming 'Hallelujah' is laughable at best, and while others in the metal scene may have an even bigger bone to pick with the Christian references, its clear to me that if the band wants to cover such a controversial religious stance in a genre that generally refutes it, they are going to have to be alot more clever about it.

The musicianship here is very good, and I find myself impressed by what Becoming The Archetype has to offer in parts. However, 'Dichotomy' does not give the listener a consistent dose of their greatness, being bogged down by some fairly poignant weaknesses.