Their debut album, "Embrace the Eternal", showed a change in style as Embodyment added elements of metalcore to their death metal sound (Embrace the Eternal is one of the earliest deathcore records). "Embrace the Eternal" featured re-makes of the songs "Golgotha" and "Religious Infamy", which were originally from their demos, as well as guest vocals by Bruce Fitzhugh, vocalist for seminal Christian metal band Living Sacrifice.
After the departure of Kris McCaddon on vocals, Embodyment welcomed Sean Corbray as vocalist and recorded "''The Narrow Scope of Things''", released in 2000. This album was the band's first step away from any of the heavier metal subgenres. Instead, their sound on the album was adjusted to alternative metal with hard rock influences and was the first album to feature actual singing and some screamed vocal parts rather than any form of death vocals.
Embodyment next released Hold Your Breath in 2001, an album which saw the removal of all screamed vocals and yet more slight shift away from the remaining metal influence there had been on "The Narrow Scope of Things". Their last album, "''Songs for the Living''", released under [[XS Records]] in 2002, completed the band's transition to alternative/indie rock and was originally made as an industry demo meant to get the band signed to a major label.
Embodyment later disbanded in early 2004 to the disappointment of loyal fans.
Andrew Godwin, Mark Garza and Kris McCaddon have finally resurfaced with a new band, [http://www.the-famine.com The Famine]
Assembly Line Humans
Embodyment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Line them up, load them tight
Packed like cigarettes
A new committee to breed lukewarm souls
Get off my back (please)
Swallow your pride and gag
Harriet tubman, will you set the captives free for the underground?
Take long drags on yourself
Another snubbed beneath your toe
Get off my back (please)
Swallow your pride and gag
Harriet tubman, will you set the captives free for the underground?
The lyrics of Embodyment's song Assembly Line Humans is a social commentary on the corrupting nature of conformity and group mentality. The opening line "Assembly line, humans pumped with lies" portrays human beings as mechanical products that are mass-produced in a factory-like setting. The use of the word "pumped" suggests that people are being force-fed propaganda that they mindlessly accept without question. The next line "line them up, load them tight" further emphasizes the image of humans being reduced to objects that are packed together like sardines. The simile "packed like cigarettes" highlights the idea that people are disposable and easily replaceable.
The song then introduces a new committee that "breeds lukewarm souls." This committee could be interpreted as a symbol for societal norms and expectations that try to mold people into a certain type of person who is devoid of individuality and creativity. The next line "get off my back" expresses the frustration and desire for autonomy that the singer feels. The reference to Harriet Tubman, a famous abolitionist who helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad, could be interpreted as a call for individuals to break free from oppressive societal norms and become agents of change.
The chorus repeats the lines "get off my back, please; swallow your pride and gag" as a way of urging people to break free from the constraints that others try to impose on them. The final line "Harriet Tubman, will you set the captives free for the underground?" further emphasizes the idea of breaking free from societal constraints and finding a way to live a life of individual purpose and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Assembly line, humans pumped with lies
The systematic deception that is being imposed on people are like products on a factory assembly line.
Line them up, load them tight
People are being forced into conformity.
Packed like cigarettes
People are being packed together in a way that is dangerous and harmful, just like cigarettes.
A new committee to breed lukewarm souls
There is a new group of people who are trying to create people who are uninspired and mediocre.
Get off my back (please)
Please stop trying to control me and let me be.
Swallow your pride and gag
You need to suppress your own feelings and accept the situation, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
Harriet Tubman, will you set the captives free for the underground?
Like Harriet Tubman helped slaves escape to freedom, we need a way to free ourselves from this oppressive system.
Take long drags on yourself
Pretend to be something that you're not and be fake in order to fit in.
With cracker-jack poses and smiles
People try to put on a façade of happiness and success, but it's just a shallow imitation.
Another snubbed beneath your toe
People who don't follow the social norms are being crushed and ignored.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind