If you are a person who is in tuned with the new in the Christian hard music scene, you would have heard of this album by now. Personally I reckon that this album is the one that the new Zao is suppose to be in. At least in the area of speed. This album made me open my ears to listen to it properly. Although some of the songs here are quite forgettable. The heaviness of it will make anyone who likes metal, longing to own this album. Intense metalcore. I heard that Embodyment use to be a death metal band. I wonder what happened. Although I use to love this album the first time I received it. I've gotten quite tired of it after a while. So my views on this record is of someone who's quite bored with it.
From the opening song "20 Tongues" (which has a really comical opening. I think it's taken from some old tape of pentacostal meeting or something. But it's mixed very comically) to "Embrace" you can almost taste the energy that Embodyment possess. A lot of blasted beats and snare drums. There is 1 unlisted track-track 10 which is not a song but a collection of weird noises. Full of blasted beats and black metal vocal style.
The more noticeable songs are "Breed" which has a lot of insane drumming and riffs. Although mid-paced at the beginning, "Swine" still packs a massive punch. Although I find that the melody is very forgettable. "Blinded" is a outright death metal song excluding the death vocals. When it comes to "Strength" I was already starting to be tired of listening. This is the most boring song off the album. Thank God for "Golgotha" which at least got my attention back at the sheer energy. I wonder how would Embodyment last in a live show performing all these song. The last song "Embrace" makes you think whether Embodyment's energy is drained judging from opening parts. But no fear, although this song is a tad slower than the other songs. It still possesses the might of the former songs.
If Embodyment could write more memorable songs. They will be a killer band, though sadly they can play some mean riffs and drums but the songs don't do them justice.
7/10
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Chris KingI was blown away when I heard Embodyment's self-titled demo a year or two ago. The three songs were well written brutal death metal with killer growling vocals. Blast-laden drumming and incredibly memorable moments were abundant, and the production was great for a demo. I pessimistically thought that, like many great underground death metal bands with Christian beliefs, they would soon be gone…HM Magazine #73Reviewed by Doug Van PeltOh my! These guys join their labelmates Warlord in defying definition. In one word: metal! The first thing that will immediately jump on you and pin you to the floor is the lightning quick speed and tightness of this unit. If you're caught unawares by this group, you might even feel like you're Popeye and Brutus is punching you repeatedly in the face, with his knees pinning your shoulders to the…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by sesspool"take this cup from me God I cannot bear it transform my hatred into your love why must I love them because you loved them God I embrace you (her) I embrace them" Embrace the Eternal is an emotional ride of anger, hate, confusion, pain, love, rejecting, rejection... and just about everything that's bottled up inside. From songs like 20 tongues, religious infamy, embrace and carnival chair having…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by thOrNFirst off I will tell my head editor that he has gone crazy. This IS revolutionary death metal. ZAO sounding it is not. This is one intense album there is no down parts in the album where I can go, "Oh this song is lame," etc. The music is a trip to listen to, these guys go all out. Even so far as to almost "wasting" too many riffs on one song but I love it. I missed my metal and Solid State has…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by D_ListerSo much of how you feel about an album is based on your expectations of that album. That being said, I want you to apply that to my review in a very strong way. It does affect this albums rating from me. I don't own the Embodyment demo tape, but I've heard it several times, and from the first to the last time the only thing that kept going through my mind was "Killer new death metal!" This was my…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by FetusKnotted Stomach, angry kitty, kick you in your face, colon-shrinking death metal. It's obvious these guys have painfully held in this form of projectile vomiting in for lengthy periods, only now to spew your way. Oh? but you say " I've heawd aw owver that Embodyment's new stuff sounded wike a wittle poopie diaper hawdcore band?" Get over it! We've all been fed a line. Blast-o-rama! Drumming along…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by WoodensoulOk ok, I await the hate mail. I gave the new Embodyment cd a 9 ... while I give Embrace a 5. While I enjoy the new cd when I am in mellow emo moods (which seem to never come lately), now after giving the old cd a bunch of spins I must lament for giving that cd a 9. It seems Embodyment has been going the way of poser some time now. I never realised this till I started listening to Embrace more and…Similar sounding releases
2005ForeknownCalm Seas Don't Make Sailors
1998ZaoWhere Blood and Fire Bring Rest
1999MindrageSown in Weakness, Raised in Power
2003Symphony In PerilLost Memoirs and Faded Pictures
2003Bury Your DeadYou Had Me At Hello
2005Alove For EnemiesThe HarvestMore from Embodyment
1996Embodyment
1994Corrosion of the Flesh
2002Songs for the Living
2000The Narrow Scope Of Things
2001Hold Your Breath
19991993-1996
