Embodyment – Songs for the Living
Forming at their old stomping grounds in Dallas, TX, Embodyment has overcome great odds. The once four-piece band has seen many changes since their conception in 1993. Their meek beginning started with four high school friends and a dream to make heavy metal music. However, the sounds of Embodyment today incarnate melodic radio friendly songs. The founding members of Embodyment, Andrew Godwin (guitar), Mark Garza (drums), Kevin Donnini (bass) and Jason Lindquist (guitar), desired to objectify the sounds of Megadeth and Metallica. But with the departure of Linquist and Donnini, the band pressed forward with vocalist Kris MaCaddon. Linquist reentered the band on bass to record Embrace the Eternal on Seattle’s Solid State Records in 1998. Followed with several tours with No Innocent Victim, Zao, and P.O.D. Nonetheless, in 2000, after no new-recorded work in two years, Embodyment reemerged with the breathtaking, breakthrough album The Narrow Scope of Things with Sean Corbray on vocals (Kris McCaddon left the band after two years of touring with the band). The Narrow album gained new fans for Embodyment. Their mix of old school yells and emo vocals made them a favorite at underground venues or summer festivals. The band released the Hold Your Breath album in 2001 to finish up their contract with Tooth and Nail Records. This was the first recording new guitarist Derrick Wadsworth had done with the band. To many fans the Breath album was a disappointment. Corbray did away with all yelling. He merely sang while fans were expecting to hear Assembly Line Humans II. In October 2002, the band released their latest work entitled Songs for the Living. The album was released under a licensing agreement with Nashville label XS Records. Songs exhibits pop stardom for this band. It appears that this band sat down with the goal of writing pop songs. However, Corbray’s vocals are better then ever on this new record. Wadsworth’s harmonies are very complementary to Corbray’s angelic voice. Godwin and Wadsworth’s guitars are strong and powerful yet very tasteful. Fans of the Narrow Embodyment will be yet again disappointed with this record if they are hoping for the return of metal. However, with an open mind and a couple of spins, this disc might grow on a few of the original fans. This record is the final transition stage for Embodyment. Songs for the Living encompasses a completely different band from the days of Embrace and Narrow. Where yells and metal riffs were the tunes of their beginnings, melodic singing and catchy guitar hooks are now their forte.
-AW
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© 2002