BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE HAVE A PRAYER TEAM?
Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 3:45pm by Axl Rosenberg
Becoming the Archetype’s latest album, Dichotomy, is pretty rockin’. It’s kinda like Gojira’s The Way of All Flesh, only, y’know, not a complete masterpiece. But it’s melodic death metal willing to think much further outside the box than most melodic death metal these days and is, if nothing else, a very enjoyable listen.
SO. In an effort to do some research on Becoming the Archetype, I headed over to their MySpace page, where I found they have… a prayer team.
Seriously.
I’m not even offended by the idea of a heavy metal prayer team (And I’m assuming in this instance that the word “team” is synonymous with the word “group” – there’s no such thing as competitive prayer, is there?) – I mean, the band is signed to Solid State, so I knew they were Christian, and while some of their lyrics take on clear religious meaning if you know they’re Christian, they’re just vague enough that if you don’t (or pretend they aren’t), they can seem like typical non-specific bullshit metal lyrics (To wit: “Their foolish hearts were darkened/ Their vacant minds deceived/ The lies that they exchanged for truth/ Became all that they believed.”). So while I freely admit that I’d rather have my lyrics without any kind of religious subtext (Christian or otherwise), I’m not especially turned off by the fact that Becoming the Archetype are down with G-O-D.
No, mostly the idea of a heavy metal prayer team just baffles me. I can’t reconcile the concept of people huddled around, praying to Jesus for peace and love and all that, and then cranking aggro mosh music which is heavily influenced by artists who want nothing to do with peace and love (or, for that matter, Jesus). The – ahem – dichotomy of it just makes my head spin.
(Also making my head spin right now: that the prayer team lists four people as being their main influences – Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, Paul the Apostle, and… C.S. Lewis. I mean, come on. I know that Lewis’ work has heavy religious undertones overtones, but how do we think Jesus and The Holy Spirit would feel about having to share space with a fantasty writer?)
ANYWAY, right now the prayer team has a meager 392 friends, but apparently a new prayer list is sent out every Monday, so those 392 people are certainly getting their share of Faith. If you’d like to learn more, check out the prayer team here. And seriously, Dichotomy is a good album; don’t let any of your preconception about Christian bands turn you off too much.
-AR
I think metalsucks needs a prayer team….it’s the new hip thing in metal, to try to appeal to a wider audience.
Just to clarify something from your post, C.S. Lewis also wrote a number of books concerning Christianity in general in addition to his fantasy literature. I mean yeah God the father is probably pissed that some british dude got it bta’s influence list instead of him, but seriously the that C.S. Lewis has had on modern christian doctrine is astounding, so it would seem only fitting that his works be discussed since he did such a good job of analyzing christianity in general and putting it in a new light.
Also, I’m not sure if you were saying all this just for humor, but a prayer team is not a group of people who huddle around in a circle and pray (even though this is a way it is done). What the prayer team is a group of people who receive the e-mails and just pray for what the band requests. And no, the requests are not like “pray that we sell millions of records and make tons of money!” So, a “prayer team” is not as crazy as you may think. But, thank you for mentioning a good Metal band who is Christian so people can stop thinking they all sound like Norma Jean.
Reading this whole thing gave me the heebie jeebies. Christians are just plain creepy
christian metal is an oxymoron. there’s nothing metal about sheep. As a teen in the 80’s my buddies and i were constantly fighting with so called “christians” who felt it was ok to jump us because we were wearing Maiden and Metallica tshirts. We were satanists in their eyes so it was OK to attack us every chance they got. Eat shit faggot ass christians! stay the hell out of our music. You’re lame and have no idea what metal is. blow me.
As a former Christian (in my more gullible years, before I figured out to form my own opinions about things), Christian metal (specifically Mortification and Argyle park) got me into real metal. There are a decent number of Christian bands out there, and really, when it comes down to it, Christian metal is only slightly more ridiculous than Satanic metal. The message is all wrong, but mythology is mythology.
Bah…It’s really just to recruit people. (Which is funny, because they get mad at the idea of gays “recruiting” people to become gay.)
Once metalcore stops being popular, these bands will dwindle into nothing or at least maintain enough of a fanbase to keep touring half of the country.
I mean, ever since the “scene” shit popped up, for every 6-10 scene bands you’d get one “christian scene” band. They’re just going where the money is.
Before then it was christian rock and around that time it was christian rap.
I see no reason to give a fuck about another marketing effort.
hell yeah to what Old Skool Metal said…
fuck christianity, they really have no place in metal, just for the hell of it i should start a satanic country band. if they can try to rape our music we should be able to rape their’s haha
I’m even a christian and I think a satanic country band would be pretty epic XD
First, C.S. Lewis was a Christian Apologetic, not just a fantasy writer.
Second, Old Skool Metal, you’re as ignorant as the people who tried to attack you. This is proven by your feelings of superiority and the hurling of insults (Which on the internet are like punches. Punches thrown by the feeble arms of two year olds.)
Third, props to grover for mentioning Argyle Park! Klayton has never come close to getting that quality in his music since then. I mean, Celldweller is OK, but… come on, it’s friggin Argyle Park.
The idea of a prayer team is… Kinda lame. I mean, like, if they have a fan that has cancer or something, and they’re like “Ya’know, it’d be cool if you prayed for little Jimmy and his family.”, that’s pretty cool. But other than that…
But, yeah, Becoming the Archetype is pretty cool.
IMO, the idea of a “prayer team” is perfectly fine if it’s all about what Rob or Selaphiel mention. Otherwise, it’s pretty much just one more word for “street team.” That’s not so unheard of now, is it? Only difference is that these people aren’t getting anything material in return. But you know, America is all about possessions and shit like that, so they have a hard time grasping the whole concept. To each his own.
As a recovering Fundamentalist Christian (I’m all better now, thanks) calling them a “Prayer Team” is a way to make their Street Team feel all spiritual and holy as they go around promoting the band.
Christian metal (really it’s mostly metalcore, which is worse IMO) is kinda funny in general. I can rarely think of something wrong or I should say screwed up about the world and not find that it also has something in relation to do with Christianity, Islam or Judaism (maybe if I read more Indian news I could throw Hinduism in as well).
As for C.S. Lewis, yes it’’s not surprising that he’s included, even though he’s made some of the most laughable defenses of christianity, but then when anyone wants to claim that a guy died and then came back to life and that evolution doesn’t exist, well it’s hard to think you’re being rational in any sense.
well selaphiel you don’t know me. I’m sure if you met me in person you’d keep your insults to yourself. There’s a big disconnect between today’s metal heads and those of us that had to put up with all the bullshit. Nowadays kids are wearing Maiden tees to “fit in” which makes me laugh. There is a good group of kids coming up that knows what’s up. Then there is the “scene.” This scene is just a bunch of dipshit consumers who’ll buy anything they sell in the mall. Churches, because they’ve been allowed to exist tax-free, have become huge money making corporations with greedy ceo-type leaders. Here in Arizona we’re surrounded by all these mega churches that sell stickers, t shirts and charge people to go see their gay christmas light displays. These mega churches put a lot of their tax exempt dollars behind politicians who hurt the poor and behind ideology-based propositions that discriminate against other human beings. These “christians” are in it for the money and power and they feed on the very people they count on to attend their services. There is nothing more soulless and sad than a person who has blindly accepted this crap and allowed themselves to be enslaved by an ideology. Metal is freedom, the church is slavery.
I love that there is actually a new generation of metalheads, but you need to realise that in the 80’s we were fighting because of what we loved. We had to fight jocks, rednecks and christians simply because we were walking down the street with a “Metal up your ass” tshirt.
About time MetalSucks covered these guys and their latest. BTA freakin’ rules and anybody who likes this record should also check out their first record especially, and then their second. Praise Jesus!
I do not see why you are trying to make a big deal about a PRAYER GROUP. Who cares what the band believes or their fans. They are not trying to push anything on you. Metalsucks however, making a big news story of a prayer group- street team- whatever- is more of a deliberate attempt to “push” your personal feelings on other people. I am no Christian, but this site seriously REEKS of heavy personal BIAS of the moderators. Why do you not bring attention to the other negative aspects of Heavy Metal culture? For instance, a lot of metal bands glorifying heavy drinking and smoking pot. This is the kind of stuff that doesn’t have any positive effects on the young fans. At least bands like BTA, As I Lay Dying and August Burns Red have the integrity to stay true to what they stand for while accept a ton of criticism from the metal community. I am not angry. I enjoy the news and insight METALSUCKS provides. I just do not think a big issue should be made out of something like this.
@Selaphiel: It’s rare to hear anyone who’s heard of Argyle Park, so props go to you as well.
Personally, I’m a big fan of everything Klayton has done, from Circle Of Dust on up to Celldweller, but AP was my first exposure to him, followed by Chatterbox.
Also, this:
Adult with imaginary friend = crazy
Adult with imaginary friend named God = sane
@Joe A.:
I’m curious as to what you consider “laughable defenses” on Lewis’ part.
I am also curious. Even as an atheist myself I had trouble disagreeing with his logic in Mere Christianity that there must be a force outside of morals that causes one to chose between morals (horribly stated by myself but brilliantly stated by him in his book).
Exactly who were these “jocks, rednecks and Christians” jumping guys wearing metal t-shirts? And where? Where I grew up and where I subsequently went to college there were metal heads, GQ preppies, New Wavers, jocks, rednecks, and everything in between, and I don’t recall anyone “jumping” anyone based on a t-shirt choice. My guess is that you and your buddies in your Maiden tees provoked the others, just hoping a fight would break out. I never heard one comment regarding any metal t-shirt I may have been wearing in 1980-whatever.
As for you, Axl, writing about C.S. Lewis without even checking to see he was a sci-fi writer as well as a non-fiction, Christian writer or analyist, and not just someone who used over or undertones, is kind of lazy. I usually expect more of you.
Their new CD doesn’t sound half bad.
Since Theistic Satanism is basically Christian / Abrahamic, I don’t think Christian metal bands are that surprising. Also, the bible isn’t exactly just about love an happiness. Has anyone seen The Passion of the Christ? It’s not like Mel Gibson evoked artistic freedom with that movie; the bible is just that bloody. Let this man be tortured and brutally killed to save us from our sins.
I try not to let the band’s religious views get in the way of their music. If their music is awesome, that’s enough for me.
Despite what you believe in religion wise, this album is fantastic and it would be a shame for anyone to put it down just on religious beliefs. I’ve seen these guys twice and they were fantastic during each set. It was during their tour of their second album and now i want to see their new line up with songs from this album. Seriously check it out!
Their album Dichotomy is based on one of C.S. Lewis’ books.
I don’t see anything wrong with it, to be quite honest. I think it’s great that people who truly believe in something (not just from a religious standpoint) will be brave enough to do what they strive and want. I totally believe that you should respect people’s opinions and they should respect yours. Get over yourselves and move on if you disagree with their choices.
Say what you will about their faith, but this is one DAMN good band that definitely deserves more recognition.
Who cares if they have a prayer team? I wouldn’t care if they had a “wear pink and pet kitty-cats team” as long as the music is good and in this case, it is.
Old Skool Metal is just that old guy that blabs on about how easy kids have it nowadays and how back in his day they had to walk uphill to school in the snow with no shoes, both ways.
If I recall, you also think Anthrax invented nu metal, and refuted my points when I corrected you.
Now you’re being all emo ‘cus I have it soooooo easy, because back in the day everyone hated the metal kids and you were social outkasts and you’z was all cool and shit, but now today all the same people are wanna be posers who want to fit in… Yeaaaaaahhhh… Like “posers” didn’t exist in the 80s or something *rolls eyes*
And calling you ignorant wasn’t an insult. Just be happy I didn’t call you a bigot (Yes, people, hating Christians is a form of bigotry. Just like hating White folk. It’s just more accepted because we’re the majority.)
I am a devout Christian and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and through him is the only way to get to heaven, with that being said, I still listen to death metal i.e.: Bloodbath, Entombed, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, Slayer, Morbid Angel etc… which are all anti-Christian in subject matter. Why can’t athiests or satanists do the same? Are they all as close minded that they claim Christians to be? HHMmmmm…
The band is not half bad in my opinion, but I could do without the “how great thou art” cover song…got enough of that in my younger years;) BUT…to each his own, and the band sound pretty freakin good to me.
is this really what you guys think about
oh I see. Selaphiel is a typical internet warrior. I’ve never posted anything in direct attack to you but for some reason you get offended by my opinions. too bad, that’s your own problem. I really don’t need to get into an internet squabble with a minor. The fact that you are trying to pick a fight with me on the internet at 2:51 in the morning is a clear indication that life hasn’t been good to you. I have a job so I’m not awake at 2:51 AM unless I’m out drinking or fucking. One day you’ll find out what that’s like. Apparently you get offended when I criticize things that in my opinion are not metal. You must be a scene kid because that’s all I can think of as to why I offend you so much. You probably thought this site was actually about peple who hate metal saying it sucks. Enjoy your little christian metalcore and hairspray, one little piece of advice; let the girls wear the tight jeans it’ll make your sperm count even lower. No need to respond as I will not read this particular thread anymore. Feel free to follow me though to whatever else I post about and pretend that your a man, from your keyboard.
For someone who claims to be an old fart. It’s hard for me to take Old Skool Metal seriously with all of his spelling and grammatical errors. Is it just me or does anybody feel the same way?
I dunno. All I see is “Blah blah blah, anyone who started listening to metal after 1985 is a poser, and I can sling internet insults but you can’t because I’m better than you and therefore I am exempt from my own mockery.”
a christian that listens to Bloodbath….i hope Mikael Akerfeldt stabs you in the ovaries
I have no problem with Christian metal. After all, I listen to metal all the time that is steeped in Satanic references. I’m an atheist, which means I don’t believe in Satan either, so metal with Christian leanings isn’t going to bother me. To me, it’s two different sides of a given mythology. I can enjoy Christian metal for the same reasons I listen to “Satanic” metal…for the skill and passion with which it is played.
I’m listening to Rotting Christ right now, so I’m getting a kick out of these replies…
I don’t care what you listen to. If you seriously enjoy it, then more power to you.
Some “Christian” bands suck, and some “Satanic” bands suck. But if you enjoy the music, then don’t bother listening to the disapproval of others. Suck it up, and let it go. That’s more metal than God or Satan will ever be.
I am 36 years old Am a 80’s metal head. Was into white Lion, Whitesnake, Guns’ ROses, Lion, Stryper and Megadeth and Metallica, yet was always a Christian. ALthough didnt “wear it”. I am now MORE COMMITTED TO BEING A CHRISTIAN, and listen to Impellitri, Warrior, Living Sacrifice and Extol, amongst others like Whitecross and Barren Cross etc, and am into 80’s hip hop(but not commercial gangsta rap. I think that the issue is not the music, it’s that listeners of metal want to “own” the music they listening to, so they want it to comply with their oen personal outlook and lifestyle on life. so if a Christian band does metal, they protest, cause it does not fit ito their life perspective. Others are not bothered by this becaue they are into it”for the music!”, Which is OK. Me personally, I wuld not listen to Cannibal Corpse or Cradle of Filth(although I did have their Cruelty and the Beast album, because I was amazed at the technical skill and orchestral sophicitication of the usic, but got rid of it, when they turned from Goth metal to more Satanic blasphemous lyrics etc. If you are a Christian and know Jesus and love GOD, you willwant to please HIM, so listening to that kind of music(which is beautiful seductive and therfore addictive) keeps you at a distance from GOD I think. For those who are not believers, or have fallen away from Christianity, you should be aware that you fell away because YOU HAD FALSE AND WRONG CONCEPTS AND BELIEFS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY IS/WAS, once they are corrected, then you will come back to GOD, and HE will open HIS arms to you, welcoming you, like a long lost son or daughter. Don’t let false prophets/teachers/doctrines stop you from seeking GOD and having a personal relationship with JESUS, who loves you. Those who have fallen away and slid back into the world,you only did this because MAN let you down, not GOD. We serve GOD, not the other way round! So go get your BIBLE and re read The Book of JAMES in the New TEstament and re learn/LEARN about HOW GOOD, GENTLE KIND ,LOVING PATIENT TENDER LENIENT AND HOLY POWERFUL MAJESTIC GOOD TRUTHFUL HONOURABLE MIGHTY AND GENEROUS GOD AND IS SON IS. AND YOU SHOULD THEN KNOW IN YOUR HEART, NOT TO REJECT SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT AND LOVES YOU THAT MUCH. METAL IS GODS GIFT-EVEN KISS SANG THAT 2GOD GAVE ROCK N ROLL TO YOU!”
LOVE AND PEACE!
DANNY
Actually, Franco, one of my buddies hung out with Mikael Akerfeldt after an Opeth show and Mikael was surprised that a Christian would listen to them but they got along great, which goes to show that you don’t have to be ignorant or shut in a box. I’m a Christian, and one of my good friends is a Satanist. Be an adult.
And to clarify, the prayer team’s purpose is to pray for each other. You shoot BTA a message asking for prayer and they send it out to everyone. This guy is having a rough time, this girl’s friend has cancer, this guy is in the military, so on and so forth.
Oh, and about Dichotomy. Sure, my all-time favorite band is probably Opeth (them or Between The Buried And Me) but I thought Dichotomy was better than Watershed as far as last year’s albums go.
I think that people who can have metal music and a prayer team are the best band anyone could ever listen to.