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Becoming the Archetype

From Alfawiki
Becoming the Archetype
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1999 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Headquarters
Atlanta
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles, music videos

Becoming the Archetype is a U.S.-based extreme metal group that originated in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. They have produced six albums under the Solid State Records label. Their 2008 release, Dichotomy, launched in November and sold approximately 2,300 units during its initial week in the United States, entering the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart at position No. 18. The band was associated with the new wave of American heavy metal movement. Following their 2012 album I Am, the group went on a hiatus before reuniting in 2022 with original members Jason Wisdom, Seth Hecox, and Brent "Duck" Duckett.

History

Initially formed in 1999 under the name Nonexistent Failure, the lineup included vocalists Jason Wisdom and Jake Power, guitarists Greg Knapp and Sean Cunningham, bassist Noah, and drummer Brent "Duck" Duckett.[1] Several members departed prior to recording a demo in 2001. Subsequently, the band renamed itself The Remnant and independently released a self-titled album.

In 2004, prompted by members of Demon Hunter who advised a name change due to an existing punk band called The Remnants, they adopted the name Becoming the Archetype—a title credited to Wisdom. By December of that year, they secured a contract with Solid State Records. Their debut nationwide release, Terminate Damnation, arrived in 2005 and was mixed by Tue Madsen, combining elements of progressive metal, death metal, and metalcore.[2]

In 2006, lead guitarist Jon Star exited for personal reasons but maintained amicable relations with the band. Alex Kenis from progressive death metal act Aletheian joined for a European tour alongside The Chariot and Shaped by Fate. Later that year, Sean Cunningham left to complete his education and pursue a professional career. The band recorded The Physics of Fire with producer Andreas Magnusson; this album was released in May 2007. Subsequently, Brent Duckett took an indefinite hiatus toward the end of that year.

Jon Star returned in 2008 to replace Kenis. The band recorded their third album Dichotomy with producer Devin Townsend and substitute drummer Brandon Lopez. Released in November, this album’s concept was inspired by themes from C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, focusing on the contrast between biology and technology.[3] Brent Duckett rejoined on October 31. During this period, the band received media attention including features in HM Magazine and embarked on extensive tours. In October 2009, they released the single "Necrotizing Fasciitis" accompanied by themed merchandise.

In 2010, Jon Star departed again and Daniel Gailey stepped in as guitarist. Their fourth album Celestial Completion, produced by Matt Goldman at Glow in the Dark studios in Atlanta, introduced unconventional instruments such as trombone and sitar.[4] The track "The Magnetic Sky" was released on February 14, 2011 to promote the album.[5] Leading up to the March launch, songs were unveiled daily as part of a marketing strategy.[6] A music video premiered simultaneously on MetalSucks.net.[7]

Following over eighty performances across twelve countries within eight months touring alongside bands like Creations and The Tug Fork River Band,[8] Jason Wisdom and Brent Duckett left late in 2011. Chris McCane assumed lead vocal duties while Michael McClellan became drummer; Seth Hecox and Daniel Gailey began composing new material.[9]

In April 2012, the group entered the studio with producer Shane Frisby to record their fifth album for Solid State Records.[10] Bassist Codey Watkins joined during this period; McClellan departed before recording sessions commenced and was replaced by Chris Heaton.[11] The album I Am was released on September 18, 2012.

By 2015, Dan Gailey mentioned ongoing discussions about new projects but confirmed lineup changes since I Am. Gailey had joined Phinehas in 2014 and later became part of Fit for a King in 2018.[12]

On June 24, 2022, Becoming the Archetype announced their comeback along with a new album titled Children of the Great Extinction, which was released on August 26 through Solid State Records.[13] This release marked the first to feature Jason Wisdom and Brent Duckett alongside Seth Hecox since Celestial Completion. Contributions included guitar parts from former members Alex Kenis and Daniel Gailey (now with Fit for a King), as well as guest vocals by Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter.[14]

The band performed at the 2023 Furnace Fest, representing their first major live appearance in over ten years alongside acts such as Norma Jean and Hatebreed.[15][16]

In July 2025, studio photographs were shared suggesting that work on another record is underway.[17]

Origins of the Name and Christian Influence

The members openly identify as Christians and chose their band’s name inspired by Genesis 1:26, where God declares, "Let us make man in our image." This reflects their conviction that Jesus Christ represents the perfect example of humanity, emphasizing their spiritually motivated purpose. In a 2008 discussion, Jason Wisdom encapsulated their outlook: "If our efforts don’t impact the Lord’s work, then we’re merely producing noise!"

Members of the Band

Current lineup

  • Jason Wisdom (Solamors, Death Therapy) – lead vocals (1999–2011, 2022–present), bass guitar (2003–2011, 2022–present)
  • Brent "Duck" Duckett – drums (1999–2008, 2008–2011, 2022–present)
  • Seth Andrew Hecox (Anchors) – lead guitar (2022–present), rhythm guitar, keyboards, clean vocals (2004–2013, 2022–present)

Past members

  • Jon Star – lead guitar (1999–2006, 2008–2010)
  • Martin Cunningham – rhythm and lead guitar (2011–2012)
  • Wes Gaither – bass guitar (1999–2003)
  • Jacob Franklin – rhythm guitar (2001–2004) (formerly of Irreversible)
  • Alex "Dracula" Kenis (Synoptic Rise, Aletheian, Solamors) – lead guitar, clean vocals (2006–2008)
  • Sean Cunningham – rhythm guitar (1999–2006), lead guitar (2001–2006)
  • Brandon Lopez (Broken Flesh, ex-An Unearthly Child, Vangough) – drums (2008)
  • Daniel Gailey – lead guitar, backing vocals (Thaddeus, Phinehas (band), Fit for a King (band)) (2010–2013)
  • Chris McCane – lead vocals (ex-Thaddeus) (2011–2013)
  • Codey Watkins (ex-In This Hour) – bass guitar (2012–2013)
  • Chris Heaton (ex-Dear Lovely) – drums and percussion (2012–2013)

Touring musicians

Session contributors

  • Ryan Clark – vocals (2005, 2008, 2022)
  • Devin Townsend – vocals (2008)
  • Suzanne Richter – soprano vocals (2008)
  • Dennis Culp (Five Iron Frenzy) – trombone (2011)
  • Nathan O'Brien – trombone (2011)
  • Kim Stice – violin (2011)
  • Sean Patrick Murphy – sitar, tambura, tabla (2011)
  • Ivey Norton Spears – vocals (2011)
  • Nate Washburn – guitars (2022)

Membership timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1999 till: TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors = 

  id:LV       value:red               legend:Lead vocals
  id:guitar1  value:teal              legend:Lead guitar
  id:guitar2  value:brightgreen       legend:Rhythm guitar
  id:bass     value:blue              legend:Bass
  id:drums    value:orange            legend:Drums
  id:Keys     value:purple            legend:Keyboards
  id:BV       value:pink              legend:Backing_vocals
  id:album    value:black             legend:Studio album
  id:EP       value:gray(0.55)        legend:Other_release
  id:bars     value:gray(0.95)

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 BackgroundColors=bars:bars ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1999 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2000

LineData = 

layer:back
 at:01/01/2002 color:EP
 at:01/01/2003 color:EP
 at:01/01/2004 color:album
 at:08/30/2005 color:album
 at:05/08/2007 color:album
 at:11/24/2008 color:album
 at:03/29/2011 color:album
 at:04/17/2012 color:EP
 at:09/18/2012 color:album
 at:08/26/2022 color:album

BarData = 

 bar:Wisdom      text:"Jason Wisdom"
 bar:McCane      text:"Chris McCane"
 bar:Star        text:"Jon Star"
 bar:Kenis       text:"Alex Kenis"
 bar:Gailey      text:"Daniel Gailey"
 bar:Cunningham  text:"Sean Cunningham"
 bar:Franklin    text:"Jacob Franklin"
 bar:Hecox       text:"Seth Hecox"
 bar:Martin      text:"Martin Cunningham"
 bar:Gaither     text:"Wes Gaither"
 bar:Watkins     text:"Codey Watkins"
 bar:Duckett     text:"Brent Duckett"
 bar:Lopez       text:"Brandon Lopez"
 bar:McClellan   text:"Michael McClellan"
 bar:Heaton      text:"Chris Heaton"

PlotData= 

 width:13
 bar:Wisdom      from:start        till:"11/14/2011" color:LV
 bar:Duckett     from:start        till:"06/30/2008" color:drums
 bar:Duckett     from:"07/01/2008" till:"11/14/2011" color:drums
 bar:Duckett     from:"06/22/2022" till:end           color:drums
 bar:Hecox       from:"06/01/2004" till:"11/14/2013" color:guitar2
 bar:Hecox       from:"06/22/2022" till:end           color:guitar1
 bar:Hecox       from:"06/22/2022" till:end           color:guitar2 width:7 
 bar:Hecox       from:"06/01/2004" till:"11/14/2013" color:pink width:.5

... [timeline continues as per original with streamlined entries] </timeline>

Under the Name Nonexistent Failure

Demos

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

Under the Name the Remnant

Demos

  • Death, Destruction, and Mayhem (2003)

Studio Albums

  • The Remnant (2004, independently released)

As Becoming the Archetype

Studio Albums

Year Album Record Label Chart Positions
US Heatseekers US Christian Albums
2005 Terminate Damnation Solid State Records — —
2007 The Physics of Fire Solid State / Century Media 13 19
2008 Dichotomy Solid State Records 19 41
2011 Celestial Completion Solid State Records 7 18
2012 I Am Solid State Records 16 17
2022 Children of the Great Extinction Solid State Records — —

EPs

  • Celestial Progression (2012; Solid State)

Singles

  • "Necrotizing Fasciitis" (digital release, 2009, Solid State)
  • "O Holy Night" (digital release, 2011, Solid State)
  • "The Time Bender" (from I Am, 2012, Solid State Records)
  • "The Lost Colony" (from Children of the Great Extinction, 2022, Solid State Records)

Music Videos

  • "Endure" (from The Physics Of Fire, 2007)
  • "The Magnetic Sky" (from Celestial Completion, 2011)
  • "Breathing Light" (from Celestial Completion, 2011)
  • "The Time Bender" (from I Am, 2012)

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Rumors
  2. ↑ Solid State Records artist page
  3. ↑ Bandsonfire article
  4. ↑ Amy Sciarretto interview
  5. ↑ Single release announcement
  6. ↑ Promotional blog post
  7. ↑ MetalSucks premiere
  8. ↑ Tour details
  9. ↑ Band lineup update
  10. ↑ Recording announcement
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named I AM Lineup
  12. ↑ Dan Gailey interview
  13. ↑ Comeback announcement
  14. ↑ Album credits
  15. ↑ Furnace Fest coverage
  16. ↑ Festival report
  17. ↑ Instagram post
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