The Becoming: Architects of Modern Progressive Metal

The Becoming is an American progressive metal band known for their intricate compositions and conceptual depth. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the group achieved a notable commercial milestone with their 2018 album Chrysalis, which debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

Early career

The band formed in 2010, uniting members from the city's diverse metal and jazz scenes. Their self-released debut EP, Foundations, in 2012, showcased a raw blend of technical riffing and atmospheric passages, catching the attention of several independent labels.

This led to a signing with the boutique metal label Dark Canvas Records in 2013. Their first full-length album under this deal, The First Chapter, arrived in 2014, establishing a dedicated fanbase within the progressive metal community.

Breakthrough

The Becoming's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with their sophomore album, Chrysalis. Released through Dark Canvas with wider distribution, the album's lead single gained significant traction on streaming platforms and specialty radio.

Chrysalis spent over 20 weeks on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart, peaking at number 12. While not certified, label reports indicated it sold over 50,000 copies in its first year, a strong result for the genre.

Key tracks

Chrysalis — The title track's complex structure and dynamic range became a signature showpiece for the band's live performances.

Vertigo — This single received substantial airplay on SiriusXM's Octane channel, introducing The Becoming to a broader hard rock audience.

Asymmetric — Featured as the opening track on several prominent progressive metal Spotify playlists, driving millions of streams.

The Architect — A nearly ten-minute epic that highlights the band's collaborative songwriting and technical proficiency.

Following this success, The Becoming embarked on extensive touring, including support slots for larger acts like Between the Buried and Me. Their third album, 2022's Dichotomy, saw them experiment with more electronic textures while maintaining their metal core, charting similarly to its predecessor.

A notable collaboration came in 2023 when vocalist/guitarist Marcus Thorne contributed vocals to a track on the latest album by instrumental prog outfit The Omega Experiment. The band continues to write for their next project, planned for a 2025 release.

Fans of intricate, modern progressive metal will also appreciate the work of similar artists. Between The Buried And Me shares a similar ambition for genre-blending concept albums. TesseracT explores comparable territories of djent-influenced grooves and soaring melodies. The Contortionist offers a parallel path in blending heavy riffs with atmospheric, textural soundscapes.

Radio rotation

The music of The Becoming maintains a consistent presence across the radio spectrum featured on this platform. Their tracks are in regular rotation on dedicated progressive metal and modern hard rock online radio streams, as well as on independent music radio stations that champion technically adept and forward-thinking artists.

Listeners can discover the dynamic catalog of The Becoming, from Foundations to Dichotomy, through the curated playlists of specialty rock stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear how this American progressive metal act continues to evolve and challenge the boundaries of their genre.