What makes Children of the Great Extinction by Becoming the Archetype notable?

The album has received positive reviews for its ambitious concept and intricate compositions, earning a spot on several year-end lists for heavy music. It also sparked conversations about ecological concerns and philosophical reflections within the metal community, highlighting the band's ability to address contemporary issues through their music. Released on August 26, 2022, Children of the Great Extinction marks Becoming the Archetype's return after a six-year hiatus following their last album, I Am. This album showcases their evolution in sound and thematic depth, exploring existential themes relevant in today's world while maintaining their signature death metal and progressive influences.

How many songs are on Children of the Great Extinction?

Children of the Great Extinction has 10 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Children of the Great Extinction

Becoming the Archetype · 2022

49 min · 10 tracks · death metal

A relentless fusion of intricate riffs and guttural vocals, echoing themes of loss and rebirth in a dystopian soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Dead World — Opening the album with atmospheric tension, this track sets the tone by combining haunting melodies with aggressive instrumentation, effectively introducing the central theme of decay.
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The Awakening — This track features dynamic shifts between serene passages and explosive climaxes, embodying the struggle between despair and hope that defines the album's narrative arc.
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The Sacrament — Closing out the album with an expansive arrangement, this nearly nine-minute epic encapsulates the journey from darkness to enlightenment, showcasing the band's musical maturity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and thematic depth, though it remains within established genre conventions.

What we noticed

Guttural vocals are layered with melodic guitar lines, creating a contrast that drives the intensity of the sound.
Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that provide brief respite before returning to aggressive instrumentation.
The final track, 'The Sacrament', concludes with a gradual fade-out, allowing for an extended reflection on the themes presented.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Dead World 4:49
2 The Lost Colony 3:49
3 The Remnant 4:48
4 The Calling 4:59
5 The Phantom Field 2:48
6 The Awakening 6:15
7 The Hollow 4:53
8 The Ruins 3:58
9 The Curse 4:12
10 The Sacrament 8:35

What to play next

Go back to

I Am

2012

Full Becoming the Archetype discography Artists like Becoming the Archetype

death metal progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata