Oh 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 ground. The double bass riffs have that effect. This image really comes to mind in the song, "Prophesy," where I hear shouts of "prophesy," which sound similar to the taunts that Jesus faced in His tortuous beating. Sonically it's refreshing to hear all the different instruments clearly in the midst of an aural assault like this. One of the funny comments I heard about this album was, "They waste so many riffs, man! They use almost an album's worth of riffs in just one song!" This allegation is almost an accurate description of Embodyment. They don't seem happy to capitalize on one riff for too long, before they run through a time change or a completely different groove and then another and then another. If you don't follow along, you might not even be aware that you're listening to the same song! And they don't just stick with speed riffing, either. Sometimes they'll churn out a slow and beefy riff that could be used as military marching music, or in a Black Sabbath tribute song. The other defining part of this band is the black metal like screeching for vocals that are everywhere. It's not as extreme as much of the Norwegian black metal vocalizing, though, and it's fairly decipherable most of the time. Man, these guys are heavy! And boy have they shown improvement since their demos from 1995! If you see these guys live first, you'll be amazed that they can pull it off in the studio. If you hear the album first, you'll be amazed that they can pull it off live! Either way, this new band is in a win/win situation. Fans of hard music from both the metal and punk sides of the fence will embrace for this band.
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…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 HadeSlayeRIf 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…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
2002Songs for the Living
19991993-1996
2001Hold Your Breath
1996Embodyment
2000The Narrow Scope Of Things
1994Corrosion of the Flesh
