The band's name and their home label were all I needed to make up my mind. "Great," I thought, sliding the CD into its slot in the player, "more hardcore." So you can imagine my surprise when, several measures into the first song, Sean Corbray, Embodyment's lead singer, greeted me with a well-crafted and performed melody. With the addition of Corbray, the band has abandoned the thrashy hardcore they were formerly known for, instead favoring a more emo direction this time around. However, unlike most emo singers, Corbray has some idea of how to sing on key, and as a result, The Narrow Scope of Things is more listenable than the majority of emo-influenced albums that have crossed my desk in the past year.
Don't think that Embodyment has lost their edge, though, hardcore fans: several songs, most notably "Assembly Line Humans" contain that teeth-grinding, bone-crunching hard edge that Solid State Records is known for, and these songs should satiate even the angriest hardcore kid. For the rest of us, The Narrow Scope of Things offers several absolutely gorgeous ballads, the best of these being "One Less Addiction":
I fight this with two closed fists
Under a purple sky
Naked trees are clawing for the air
This won't pull on emotions
But it's something to do
Go ahead, try it
If you dislike, refunds at the door
I always fell for the sucker punch...
I'll remain transparent
And while you speak in codes, I'll speak in spirit
Other songs, such as "Pendulum" attempt (rather unsuccessfully, in my opinion) to combine the band's new softer edge with hardcore. In the end, though, if The Narrow Scope of Things is remembered for anything, it will be for the remarkable pop sensibilities and melodies crafted within.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #83Reviewed by Doug Van PeltAre you ready for a shock? Embodyment has rewritten their entire sound. Instead of extreme metal, they're closer to emo or indie rock. What?! You did read correct. The first four songs plod along in indie rock / emo land before we ever hear that shrill and fierce shrieking scream we've come to know Embodyment by. Those who were shocked by the transformation Mark and Jeff made from The Crucified…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestWhen I started the Art For The Ears radioshow in January 1999 Embodyment's Embrace The Eternal was the first CD of the Month release. You can understand that I was anxious to hear The Narrow. I was told that it is a different disc. A change of direction like the change it was for Brett Detar moving from Zao to The Juliana Theory. Now I listen to the CD I have to admit there's truth in that. This…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by Hey YouOk, this review might be a LITTLE biased, but that's only because I like metal. This disc is very good. Embodyment pulls off the emo-core thing very well. The singing is top-notch, as is the instrumentation. Of course, there is no need to worry about production because they are on Solid State, and if that doesn't impress you, the fact that the album was produced by Barry Poynter and Jason…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by SORGMan this cd is annoying! Not that it sucks per se, but it is SO disjointed and difficult to describe! This is music coming from a band with a mountain of potential as they have proved their many talents in the past. Embodyment started out back in 1993 as a straight death metal band akin to bands like Cannibal Corpse and Crimson Thorn. Then in 1998 they released Embrace the Eternal with influences…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by thOrNAll hail the passing of the greatest metal band, embodyment. All hail the arrival of the greatest emo-core band, embodyment. Yes I know what you ALL think... Yes embodyment wussed out but they are SO GOOD!!!! I don't want to hear, "but it's not metal!!" cause it's so freaking good. Yes I agree with you, they shoulda changed their name but it's cool that they are still embodyment. Oh and don't…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerEmbodyment fans BEWARE! Enjoyed the Embodyment Demos CD? Found some real comfort in the brutality that was Embrace the Eternal? Expect NOTHING like that here. Rather with this album Embodyment offers us nothing less than a full style change. From Metalcore to Emocore. Sure there are a couple of breakdowns that are nice, and once in awhile a song will break out into a hardcore piece, but the…Similar sounding releases
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1996Embodyment
19991993-1996
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