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the Living''", released under [[XS Records]] in 2002, completed the band's transition to alternative/indie rock and was originally made as an industry demo meant to get the band signed to a major label.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]
Embrace
Embodyment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see her frail womb stripped of it's innocence
The measure of judgement I long to carry out
I feel so helpless not my will but yours God
I can hear you laughing your perspective comments
Disrespecting my love, disrespecting my love, disrespecting my love
Headlines read victim of rape found this morning no life in her
Is this happening? is this happening? is it her? no God
I wish I was there to help her
My love pours out for her my love pours out for her
My love pours out for her my love pours out for her
On my knees here I lay for you God build within my strength
Take this cup from me God I cannot bear it
Transform my hatred into your love
Why must I love them because your loved them God
I embrace you (her) I embrace them
Unsilence my forgiveness through the word I can clearly see
You love them as you love me why can't I see?
In the song "Embrace" by Embodyment, the singer is grappling with feelings of helplessness and heartbreak over the tragic story of a rape victim. The memories of the victim haunt the singer, who wishes they could have done more to help. The singer is angry and confused with God, feeling that God's perspective on the situation is callous and disrespectful towards the love the singer feels for the victim.
The singer feels a sense of personal responsibility to carry out some kind of justice for the victim, but ultimately recognizes that it is not up to them, but up to God. The singer is also challenged to transform their feelings of hatred towards the perpetrator(s) into God's unconditional love for all. Throughout the song, the singer is on their knees, pleading to God for strength and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
I am left here my memories are haunting my every thought
The singer is haunted by memories that are preventing them from moving on.
I see her frail womb stripped of it's innocence
The singer sees the victim in their mind and feels pity for her loss of innocence.
The measure of judgement I long to carry out
The singer desires to take action against the perpetrator but feels helpless.
I feel so helpless not my will but yours God
The artist feels powerless but acknowledges that their fate is determined by a higher power.
I can hear you laughing your perspective comments
The artist feels as though God is mocking them for their suffering, adding insult to injury.
Disrespecting my love, disrespecting my love, disrespecting my love
The singer feels as though their love and concern for the victim is being disregarded by God's indifference.
Headlines read victim of rape found this morning no life in her
The singer is reminded of the rape victim's tragic fate through news reports.
Is this happening? is this happening? is it her? no God
The artist struggles to come to terms with the reality of the situation and feels angry at God for allowing it to happen.
Your thoughts become reality your actions unbelievable
The artist acknowledges that their thoughts and actions are a reflection of themselves and can lead to unexpected outcomes.
I wish I was there to help her
The artist regrets not being able to help the victim in their time of need.
My love pours out for her my love pours out for her
The singer expresses their love and concern for the victim.
On my knees here I lay for you God build within my strength
The artist prays for strength and guidance to overcome their emotional turmoil.
Take this cup from me God I cannot bear it
The singer pleads with God to relieve them of their burdens and suffering.
Transform my hatred into your love
The singer seeks to turn their feelings of anger and hatred into more positive qualities, such as love and forgiveness.
Why must I love them because your loved them God
The singer acknowledges that God loves all people, even those who commit evil acts.
I embrace you (her) I embrace them
The artist seeks to embrace both the victim and the perpetrator with compassion and forgiveness.
Unsilence my forgiveness through the word I can clearly see
The artist prays for the ability to forgive, and believes that this forgiveness will allow them to find clarity and peace.
You love them as you love me why can't I see?
The singer questions why they cannot feel the same love and compassion for others that God feels for them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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