Embodyment

Item: Embrace the Eternal
Author: D_Lister

Embrace the Eternal

(1998)

Reviewed by D_Lister

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Label Solid State RecordsDead Zine1998

black metal death metal metalcore

So 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 expectations for the full length CD as well. Going into Embrace the Eternal with those ideas and wanting to hear savage, brutal death metal, I've got to say I'm disappointed, and feel a little let down by the move toward metalcore that the band has taken. BY NO MEANS is this a hardcore album, but the direction is more along the lines of the new Zao album.

"Wait a minute, I thought you LIKED the new Zao album!" I can hear you already. Yes I did, I love the new Zao album and the things Embodyment are doing on this CD do actually surpass Zao's efforts on Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. So what's my beef? Well simply I had hopes for a death/grind album and got heavy metalcore. Kind of like if you had sat down in a restaurant and ordered yourself a big 'ole glass of ice cold Coke-a-Cola, and instead they put in front of you Barq's Root Beer. It looks like what you had expected, it even tastes good to you, but it's just not the anticipated taste.

So now to the music. It's killer. The song Religious Infamy (one of the pure DEATH songs off of their demo tape) is probably my favorite song. Although redone on the CD, this song is amazing, fast and heavy. It's one of the shining songs for drummer Mark Garza, who saved the blast beats from the original. The other remake from the tape is probably my second favorite song, and that is Golgotha. The opening guitars on this CD tease you into thinking they've fully slipped back to their death days. Although this does not hold true, this song does tend maintain a heavier low end than some of the other tracks. I must admit the lyrics of this song also really pull me into LOVING this track so much. The lyrics savagely depict the crucifixion of Jesus, leaving you with tears for his shed blood, knowing you are not worthy of His love, yet He gives it still.

Vocally I'm still stunned. Kris McCaddon has a black metal influenced screechy, throaty vocal style that while keeping the tone of the music very heavy, is still understandable. Yes that's right, anyone use to listening to this type of music will be able to understand 95% of what is being sung the first time through! It's very reminiscent of Daniel Weyandt's black vocals on a couple of tracks off the new Zao album, but it's better disciplined. Several time throughout this CD the vocals are slowed down or whispered and it's downright scary sounding! I love it!

The dual guitars by Andy Godwin, and James Lanigan simply astound. I am hearing a lot of Neurosis influence here I believe, but that's alright with me.

I'd like to comment on the bass playing, but really I didn't hear much of it. It was there of course, coming in and building the bottom end of the music giving it depth, but there really was nothing unexpected or surprising by the bass guitar. There were plenty of guitar break downs where Kevin Donnini could have stepped up and given the songs a different direction but I never heard that.

Lyrically this is the best album I've heard since probably the Dead Pharisees album. Embodyment pulls no punches what-so-ever and therefore earns my respect in great quantities. Track 2, entitled Breed sealed this case with lyrics like these:

you say i am weak (By God i'm made strong)
denying temptation (through God)
sit at your throne of this world creating your patchwork of hate

call me what you want the truth remains the same
i am branded Christian
immortal soul of mine fearing not this world
i am enslaved by no man
remaining in my faith i do not stand alone
my spirit is willing
falling to my knees a servant unto Christ in world of disease

This is not the only song with lyrics this bold. Nearly every track on this CD speaks the name of Christ and his endearing salvation. This is what makes our music that much more powerful than the secular satanic crap!

This CD rules, and I'm telling you now, you will never see it in CD X-Change under my name. I plan on wearing this CD out. OK so it's a root beer and I ordered Coke, unexpected but in no way bad.

8.5/10