Are 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 to Stavesacre, or Brett Detar from Zao to The Juliana Theory will suffer flashbacks here.
Once the shock wears off, however, the listener will probably be struck with the realization that Embodyment has recorded some great songs here. Sonic images of Tool will come to mind for many, thanks to the droning and melodic vocals of newcomer Shawn. The songs ebb and flow with smart hooks and precise playing. I'd say that these guys perform this music as well as they performed the death metal-influenced Embrace The Eternal. The strong vocals and response harmonies in choruses like "...I tasted" (from "One Less Addiction") swirl around with a melodic beauty that sticks to your ears like syrup on a pancake. Me thinks these guys have found a new home that works. For a favorite, it's hard to pick between the distorted masterpiece "Critical Error" or the hooks in "One Less Addiction," which finds its way on this CD twice (once acoustic and once in a Radio Edited version.)
"Confessions" starts off with a subtle building guitar line reminiscent of P.O.D.'s "Southtown." It prepares the listener for an upcoming tidal wave of emotion and music. Unlike the aforementioned song, however, the wave crashes gently. It's not until "Like Cigarettes," which begins aggressively and stays that way, that we hear the Embodyment of old. The dynamics of both styles together, like the song "Killing The Me In Me," create a great contrast. This is what Blindside might sound like with more polish.
This is a great new band. Those that can't accept the change, either skip ahead to tracks 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11; or listen to someone else, like Society's Finest. For me and my house, we'll listen to it all and appreciate both the melody and the power.
Other coverage for this album
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…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerThe 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…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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