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the Living''", released under [[XS Records]] in 2002, completed the band's transition to alternative/indie rock and was originally made as an industry demo meant to get the band signed to a major label.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]
Killing The Me In Me
Embodyment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bore down on gluttonous hands, regurgitated thoughts from my heart
this can only be the going under
this can only be killing the me in me
push and pull like the machines
the humans anthems are dying in me
i don't think a soul knows compromise like a soul mate
it sleeps with me
the holy ghost has word with me
it comes in love, it comes with gentle hands that disinfect the sting for me
a whole is filled without the ring
instead a kiss, a kiss from the sun to try again
The lyrics to Embodyment's song "Killing The Me In Me" reflect the internal struggle of an individual trying to overcome their personal demons and find redemption. The line "give a word of fragile optimism that this will be okay" suggests that the singer is looking for reassurance in the midst of their struggle. However, the following line "bore down on gluttonous hands, regurgitated thoughts from my heart" reveals that their battle is not an easy one - they are fighting against themselves, their own impulses and negative thought patterns.
The singer recognizes that in order to grow and move forward, they must let go of the "me" that is holding them back. They acknowledge that this process can only happen through a type of figurative death - killing off the parts of themselves that are no longer serving them. The machine imagery in the lines "push and pull like the machines, the human anthems are dying in me" further emphasizes the idea that the singer is struggling against something mechanical and unfeeling within themselves.
Despite the dark theme of the song, there is a note of hope at the end. The line "instead a kiss, a kiss from the sun to try again" suggests that the singer is ready to start anew, to embrace the light and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
give a word of fragile optimism that this will be okay
I am trying to stay positive, despite my uncertainties and doubts about what lies ahead.
bore down on gluttonous hands, regurgitated thoughts from my heart
I feel overwhelmed by my own obsessions and fears, and they keep resurfacing and repeating in my mind.
this can only be the going under
I am afraid that I am plummeting towards failure and self-destruction.
this can only be killing the me in me
I feel like I am slowly losing my sense of self, my identity and my values.
push and pull like the machines
My struggles and battles within myself resemble the mechanical and cold operation of a machine.
the humans anthems are dying in me
I feel like I am losing touch with my human emotions, beliefs and desires.
i don't think a soul knows compromise like a soul mate
I do not believe that there is anyone who understands the art of compromise as well as a soulmate does.
it sleeps with me
This anxiety and despair haunt me even in my sleep, preventing me from finding rest and peace.
in my flesh i ask for a personal bleeding
I am willing to go through physical pain if it means that it will distract me from my inner turmoil.
the holy ghost has word with me
I feel like I am constantly being visited by a supernatural presence, perhaps a divine force or spirit.
it comes in love, it comes with gentle hands that disinfect the sting for me
This holy ghost seems to offer me comfort, kindness and healing, but it cannot erase all my pain and struggles completely.
a whole is filled without the ring
I do not need material possessions or relationships to feel complete, I only need to find inner peace and balance.
instead a kiss, a kiss from the sun to try again
I am hopeful that a new day, a new beginning, will bring me light, warmth and a chance to start over.
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.