Search - Embodyment :: The Narrow Scope of Things

It's a shame that this album doesn't get it's due

Hammerlock | Boulder, CO | 12/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Embodyment went from a hardcore, hard edged band with an undefined and underproduced sound to a very well defined nu-metal/hardcore/punk/alternative cross. Much more singing, more defined and catchier beats, mixed with amazing lyrics and a great singer, really showcases Embodyment at its best. I think their first CD is a little too soft for my tastes, this is the perfect balance for people who like melody and madness on one album. Standout songs include "Critical Error", "Assembly Line Humans" and "Prelude", although if you buy this album you won't be skipping any tracks. This is a great album for headbanging AND singing along."

Beautiful Aggression.

JRGuitargeek | Vista, Ca United States | 04/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Narrow Scope of Things is extremely unique in that it is extremely dynamic, yet at the peak of it's agression, it does not lose it's beauty. So many metal acts try to become tough and heavy, but lose their sense of melody and beauty in the process. The Narrow Scope of Things, on the other hand, pulls it off wonderfully. There are so many great tracks, many are likely to be lost in the mix amongst melodic giants like "One Less Addiction." The album is a perfect blend of extremely catchy but heavy tracks, and less user friendly, yet more definitive tracks. Which blend together perfectly to create an album with unlimited replayability. A rock/metal album full of aggression, yet countered with extreme beauty, which soars to heights which only a select few outfits have ever reached."

One of the best Christian CD's I own

JRGuitargeek | 03/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD took me a very long time to get used to. I bought it when i was probably about 14 or 15. Then, I threw it aside for years, disappointed that it wasn't loaded with intro-Korn riffs that was the signifier to me that music was heavy. But upon listening to this album more times recently, i've come to love it. It seems like a lot of hard hitting christian bands merely mimick another secular group in the mainstream as a christian alternative. I have much respect for Embodyment for not doing that with this disk.
With this album, they really have established themselves as their own band, and instead of trying to appeal to the masses, they really to a great job at appealing to those of us who like to experience our music and think about what they're saying.
The lyrics are some of the most poetic and thought provoking I have ever heard in christian rock. They deal less with the battle of demons and the flesh (like so many hardcore christian bands have done) and deal with idea's of relationships as they pertain to spirituality. Critical Error's lyrics sound like it's speaking of fake televangalists.
The vocal's are some of the most amazing i have ever heard in a christian band this hard. I would compare them to Max Illidge of 40 below summer, only better and less over-the-top.
As far as their actual sound, They sound like they draw insipiration from Korn and the Deftones without echoing them. The CD itself reminds me of the Deftones groundbreaking "White Pony". Not so much as sound, but more in the way the CD flows and the mood of it. I Would say that this CD is much more uplifting and less depressing, though.
A few of the songs have no real chorus and go into time changes that would satisfy any fan of Tool or Mudvayne. The song Assembly Line Humans is a heavy/punk/hardcore assault with screaming the whole way through. The chorus where he shouts SWALLOW-YOUR-PRIDE! with each word overlapping the last in a different pitch, reminds me of the Deftones off Around The Fur.
The Melodic parts are very melodic, and the heavy parts are very out of control and obnoxiously gut-wrenching.
The only reason i gave this CD four stars is because the screaming can sound a little forced at times, like the lead singer has never really done it before. Not only that, but I still just can't get into the song "One less addiction" and it's acoustic version is just plain overkill.
The parts where he sings with melody are much better, and i personally enjoy most of the soft songs over the heavy ones. BUt overall, this is a band that secular as well as Christian bands could learn from.Best songs: Greedy hands--one of my favorite songs ever, christian or not. It's soft and emotional with an intense climax.
Confessions--I just can't decide if i like this or Greedy Hands better. It's soft and sort of sad.
Killing The Me in Me--This song has no chorus. Once it picks up and takes off, you can't stop it until it's done.
Assembly line Humans--THis song reminds me of the Deftones. It's fast and punkish with screaming the whole way through. I love the chorus.I would recommend this to anyone who'se a fan of Korn, Sevendust, Deftones, Tool, or a perfect circle."