Becoming the Archetype
Christian extreme metal band from Atlanta, Georgia.
Becoming the Archetype is an American extreme metal band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. They have released six albums on Solid State Records and were part of the new wave of American heavy metal. The band went on an indefinite hiatus after 2012's I Am, but reunited in 2022 with the lineup of Jason Wisdom, Seth Hecox, and Brent 'Duck' Duckett.
- Formed
- 1999
- Origin
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Genre
- Extreme metal
- Label
- Solid State Records
- Years active
- 1999–2013, 2022–present
- Notable album
- Dichotomy (2008)
Lore & Background
The band formed in 1999 under the moniker Nonexistent Failure with two vocalists, including Jason Wisdom and Jake Power, guitarists Greg Knapp and Sean Cunningham, bassist Noah, and drummer Brent 'Duck' Duckett. After several lineup changes, they recorded their first demo in 2001, then changed their name to The Remnant and released an independent self-titled album. In 2004, members of Demon Hunter told them to change their name because a punk band called The Remnants already existed, and the band became Becoming the Archetype. Wisdom claims he came up with the name. They signed with Solid State Records in December 2004 and released their first album on the label, Terminate Damnation, in 2005.
The band experienced numerous personnel changes over the years. Their third album, Dichotomy, released in November 2008, sold around 2,300 copies in its first week in the United States and debuted at No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart. The album's concept was inspired by the Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis. After 2012's I Am, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. In 2022, they reunited with Wisdom, Hecox, and Duckett, and released Children of the Great Extinction on August 26, 2022, through Solid State. The band performed at the 2023 Furnace Fest, their first major live show in over a decade. In July 2025, the band published a photo of their recording studio, implying they are working on a new record.
Reader's Guide
Becoming the Archetype holds significance as a prominent band in the Christian extreme metal scene and the new wave of American heavy metal. Their music blended elements of progressive metal, death metal, and metalcore, and their lyrics were informed by their Christian faith, with the band's name derived from Genesis 1:26. The band's 2008 album Dichotomy achieved notable commercial success for a developing act, charting on the Heatseekers chart. Despite multiple lineup changes and an indefinite hiatus after 2012, the band's 2022 reunion demonstrated their enduring appeal. Their legacy includes influencing later Christian metal acts and maintaining a dedicated fanbase through consistent touring and thematic albums, such as those inspired by C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy.
Did You Know?
- The band originally formed under the name Nonexistent Failure in 1999.
- The band's name is derived from the theological concept of 'becoming the archetype' of Christ, not a direct Bible verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Becoming the Archetype?
Becoming the Archetype is an American extreme metal band out of Atlanta, Georgia, known for pairing aggressive death-metal instrumentation with Christian lyrical content. They formed in 1999 and became a recognizable name in the new wave of American heavy metal.
When and where was Becoming the Archetype formed?
The band was put together in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia. Their active years span 1999 through 2013, with a reunion beginning in 2022.
Which label did Becoming the Archetype release their music on?
All six of their studio albums were put out through Solid State Records. Their 2008 record Dichotomy is frequently highlighted as their most significant release on that label.
Why did Becoming the Archetype go on hiatus, and when did they reunite?
The group stepped back indefinitely after finishing their 2012 album I Am. They reformed in 2022 with a lineup of Jason Wisdom, Seth Hecox, and Brent 'Duck' Duckett.
What is Becoming the Archetype's most notable album?
Dichotomy (2008) is widely regarded as their standout record and the album that most firmly established their reputation in the American extreme metal scene. It remains the release fans most often point to when introducing the band.
More in American death metal musical groups 1-24
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