Reviews list for Becoming the Archetype - Terminate Damnation (2005)

OK, I know I nominated this epic masterpiece as the May 2025 Revolution feature release, but as I listen to it more, I can hear it coming out as more of a progressive melodeath/metalcore kind of style, something I wish I could've discovered 6 years before this review when The Horde, The Infinite, and The Revolution were my clan lineup. Think of the album as a blend of Extol and Living Sacrifice, two of the band's labelmates in Solid State Records.

Whichever genre fits right for Becoming the Archetype's debut, Terminate Damnation is one of the most battle-ready gems in the Christian metal/NWOAHM side of things. Despite Extol and Living Sacrifice having their temporary spilt-ups shortly after, Solid State followers ended up having another band to headbang to!

The intro "March of the Dead" starts off with piano and synthesized organ. Then the electric guitar and marching drums come in for an epic vibe. Good start! The first actual song "Into Oblivion" blasts off with some typical melodeath/metalcore. The acoustic bridge is a nice touch before building the heaviness back up into the usual sound, including some searing soloing. Then it ends with the breakdown and blasts of metalcore. Next track "One Man Parade" has more of the melodeath/metalcore sound, with frontman Jason Wisdom doing some killer death growls at the start before more of his Matt Heafy-like metalcore bellows. I really enjoy the riffing and fast soloing here, along with the ending that I think is the best part. "Elegy" is a true epic that can fit well in a battle between Heaven and Hell. I would recommend it to any metalhead, whether or not they're Christian. The first part "Deception" is the only part in the epic to have lyrics. The riffing sounds so epic and is never really far off from Nordic melodeath. The part ends with a guest appearance by Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark which is as awesome as everything else. "Lament", the second part, is a beautiful piano interlude with some guitar. The third part, "Triumph", shows the drums and guitar rising back up in glorious triumph, then it ends with a heavy reprise of the main riffing from "Deception".

The next track "Night's Sorrow" is an instrumental that's twice as long as each of the other interludes. Who knew an acoustic track can make an actual highlight? The middle track "The Epigone" is one of the more Christian songs of the album, and a kick-A one too. It starts with a dark synth-metal intro that is almost like Trail of Tears at that time, then it speeds up into the band's usual metal. Another breakdown occurs before a solo that really jazzes things up at the end. Then "Beyond Adaption" strikes as a short but speedy track with fast riffing through the first half. Despite its length, it's another one of my favorite tracks here. Up next, "No Fall Too Far" has cool production. The guitars in the intro rule! And we have more of the fast riffing before a massive midsection breakdown. Then later, effective soloing rolls heading back to the starting riff.

Another song "Ex Nihilo" has a cool yet strange guitar intro. Then we have more of the usual melodeath/metalcore. Splendid soloing a brutal deathly breakdown there. Although it's still great, it's probably the song I liked the least here. Still there's the fun lengthy soloing and one more hardcore breakdown, "OUT OF NOTHING! A NEW CREATION!!" There's one more interlude left, "Denouement", with nice acoustics in the mellow instrumentation. Finally, "The Trivial Paroxysm" is the most progressive and stylistically diverse way out. A strong ending, just like the way I like it!

All in all, Terminate Damnation is for anyone, Christian or not, who is into melodeath riffing, metalcore breakdowns, and progressive structures. And oh yeah, audible bass, which is a great bonus. And double oh yeah, the wicked art of death metal cover artist Dan Seagrave. Some parts of this album remind me a bit of one of the albums Mr. Seagrave has contributed artwork for, Edge of Sanity's The Spectral Sorrows. Anyone looking for talented Christian extreme metal, here it is. An offering for the ages!

Favorites: "Into Oblivion", "Elegy", "Night's Sorrow", "Beyond Adaptation", "No Fall Too Far", "The Trivial Paroxysm"