Becoming Sons: Refined By The Flames | Fire Refined
(2026 – Roxx Productions)
Just as we promised back then, here we are to listen to “Refined By The Flames” in its entirety. Becoming Sons’ new EP is already in our hands and playing on our stereo, and honestly—at the risk of jumping to conclusions—what these guys do goes far beyond any single label.
While technically Becoming Sons’ music could be defined simply as Metalcore, the truth is that their sound takes a very different path from what’s currently popular and steers clear of the trends that make so many bands sound like carbon copies of one another.
Their unique style stems from a distinctive sound they’ve dubbed “MetalPraiseCore,” blending Metalcore, Thrash, and melodic hooks with spiritual themes of hope and redemption; the truth is, there’s a lot of truth to all of that. It’s worth noting that the production and recording work plays a major role in creating an album that stands out and is definitely worth giving a listen.
Becoming Sons uses melodies and harmonies as the foundation for building songs that possess a charm all their own, evoking styles distinct from the now-overused and well-known Metalcore.
From the very beginning, it’s clear that “Refined By The Flames” was conceived as a labor-of-love project—well-played and free of any elements unrelated to musical instruments. There may have been some minor technological refinements, but at its core, Becoming Sons is a genuine, full-fledged band, which is why it’s such a pleasure to listen to an album that feels real and authentic in its sound.
It kicks off with an intro that’s barely over a minute long, leading into the real opener, “Overcome”—a head-on assault featuring heavy riffs and early-era metalcore-style guitar work, even with hints of Thrash Metal, the familiar contrast between growls and clean vocals, but with a lean toward the intense, fast, and furious. And here’s something surprising—and we love it: a guitar solo!
The thing is, Becoming Sons’ sound is rooted in their guitars—powerful, raging, and always at the forefront—and we can also hear that in “Dead Church,” a mid-tempo, melodic track that oscillates between heavy riffs and the melodies crafted by the six strings, managing to create some interesting passages.
We find the intensity that defines a Metalcore band in “Hidden Truth,” with killer riffs and stylistically authentic breakdowns—but with a concept that brings Becoming Sons closer to a sound that’s quite different from what we’re used to hearing, especially within the genre. The tones of the guitars, combined with a compositional structure rooted in well-crafted melodies and harmonies, add far more depth than mere copies of worn-out formulas. That’s one of Becoming Sons’ strong points.
What follows is a sort of interlude called “Dirge,” which serves as an introduction to “Undone”—featuring beats and riffs clearly rooted in Metal, yet guided by the musical path chosen by Becoming Sons. This approach finds its most modern expression, so to speak, in the classic Metalcore-style ballad titled “Refined By The Flames,” which also lends its name to this album.
An example of Becoming Sons’ versatility can be found in “Awakened,” a track that clearly masters the combination of the most basic elements of Metal with the dry, cutting riffs and breakdowns of Metalcore, in a sort of anthem that captures the heavy, visceral essence of the genre. And as a sort of bonus track—or rather, a hidden track—we find a different version of “Hidden Truth,” which clearly features a different mix from the other version of the same song.
“Refined By The Flames” showcases Becoming Sons doing something different in the realm of metalcore—which is worth noting—but it’s not just about simple differences from the rest; rather, the conception and cohesion of the material are rooted in an idea that centers on the guitar work, which serves as the backbone around which each of the band’s songs revolves.
And the tracks included are precisely the other aspect worth highlighting. There’s variety, good taste, and it doesn’t all boil down to copying others’ methods or relying on tired formulas. Quite the opposite. The album entertains and draws you in, which in itself is no small feat.
We really liked the sound they achieved. As I mentioned earlier, you can tell they put a lot of thought into their work without overusing technology. Becoming Sons is a five-piece band, and they’ve clearly been able to record “Refined By The Flames” the right way. Then, of course, there’s the aspect of engineering, production, and mixing, handled by Fernando “Fern” Lemus, who gave the album a sound that feels powerful, well-balanced, and—above all—places great emphasis on the sound coming from the six strings.
As for the artwork, the cover aligns perfectly with the message the band wants to convey; while it may not be particularly striking, it still serves its purpose. That said, it’s worth noting that the inner sleeve is of excellent quality, featuring the song lyrics, some great illustrations, and photographs of the band. It’s a classic, traditional release—but one of high quality—for those of us who love the physical format. A round of applause.
What leaves us in doubt is whether to consider “Refined By The Flames” an EP or an album, and that will depend on how you measure it. The thing is, strictly speaking, there are only six tracks—excluding the hidden track and the interludes—so yes, we could agree that it’s an EP, which, by the way, in our opinion, sets the band up very well for whatever comes next, serving as a solid starting point for the future.
Becoming Sons released an official lyric video for the lead single from “Refined By The Flames”—“Hidden Truth” was chosen to promote this EP—which we’ve included below so you can get a closer look at what Becoming Sons’ new material is all about. You can get it through Roxx Productions. We’re also taking this opportunity—as is our custom—to share the band’s social media links so you can follow them closely and stay up to date on everything related to them…
https://www.facebook.com/Becomingsons
https://www.instagram.com/becomingsons
