Reviewed by Jeremy Williams

Christian death metal has always been slightly controversial - should Christians be involved in something that so purposefully sets out to be dark? Or, on the other hand, does the light of Christ shine even brighter? Atlanta-based Becoming The Archetype belong in the second camp, out to prove there's no genre of music that can't be redeemed. And they don't pull any punches either. Their second album is raw, blistering and as heavy as it comes, machine-gun drums and screamed thrash vocals about fire, being on fire, lakes of fire and other fire-related themes. It is essentially a concept album about Hell, and it largely works although some of the melodramatic instrumental breaks are a little pretentious. Becoming The Archetype have added a technically brilliant guitarist in Alex Kenis since their debut album, but it's his melodic vocals that make the biggest difference to the line-up, allowing for sudden unexpected harmonies or vocal interludes. Progressive Christian death metal? Long may it continue.

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