Embodyment - June 1998
Living Sacrifice's Bruce Fitzhugh probably knows this issue's cover band better than most writers do. In fact, his band has quite often shared the stage with Embodyment, having toured with them frequently. Here's a rare opportunity to peek into Bruce's tour journal...
April 4, 1997 approximately 1:00 am, Corona CA
We are across the street from the Showcase Theater where Overcome, Zao, Innermeans, Training for Utopia, Focal Point, and my band (not really my band, but the band I play in), Living Sacrifice, have just played a show christening the Tooth & Nail imprint Solidstate records. Brandon Ebel, record exec. extraordinaire, shows me a demo of a band called Embodyment.
"Everybody keeps telling me how amazing this death metal band is. "Then he asks me if I've heard them.
"Yeah, they are one of the most technically proficient bands I've heard in a while. Plus, they go crazy live."
June 8, 1998 approx. 7:00 PM, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
I am in the midst of a tour with Living Sacrifice, Embodyment and Eso-charis a band from Fort Smith, AR. This tour will take us back to the Showcase in Corona, CA, the venue where the demo was passed on. I think it was Jason Stinson of Overcome who actually passed along the demo. Anyhow, if it wasn't, I'm sorry.
A lot has happened in one year. Embodyment have recorded their debut for Solidstate records entitled Embrace the Eternal and what is really cool is that they recorded it less than five minutes from my house in Little Rock, AR with Barry Poynter (Bobgoblin, Living Sacrifice, Zao) the producing/engineering master of the Mackie board. I got to pop in on them in the studio and throw 'em off schedule from time to time. And since I've heard the record, I would like to just say this in reference to it: destruction, metal, mayhem, and tighter than a lump of coal one minute before becoming a diamond. This album is a natural continuation in the recent string of recordings to emerge with the Solidstate moniker. Musically, this record cannot be described as hard-core at all. Death metal is the term most fitting. The vocals fall somewhere between Zao and Training for Utopia yet very distinct from those vocalists.
The venue for the show tonight seems to be an old pawn shop. The inside is gutted to exposed wiring... no ceiling, only a roof. Andrew Godwin (guitar), Mark Garza (drums), myself with some Eso-charis guys are in the Embodyment van about to hear the final mixes of the record, but not a final mastering. Apparently, there was too much overall bass added to the mix on the first mastering. The CD player is hooked up to a makeshift car stereo that Mark pulled from his truck before leaving on tour.
"Play 'Embrace' so they can hear the newer stuff." Andrew says as Mark cues the disc. What comes out though is the first track "20 Tongues." This is also a newer song. Dissonant noise and feedback fades in as a sample of a preacher proclaims "hallelujah" over and over. As we proceed I can see fans of metal and death metal sitting in front of their stereos proclaiming "hallelujah" right along with him -- probably not for the same reasons though. This form of death metal hasn't been heard in the realm of Christ-inspired music in quite a few years. A weak tinny sounding guitar starts the melody alone, then another small guitar with a harmony. When the drums start, the full assault of the guitars comes in and bottoms out the small van speakers. Mark has to cut some of the bass so the speakers are not killed. The first thing you notice about the songs is that you have to concentrate on what is going on or you will miss it. Some of their parts are so fast and intricate that without a knowledge of the genre that influences the music, one would be totally lost. Very technical. Hybrids of death, grind, and hard-core. We are all impressed.
8:30 PM
Embodyment takes the small stage for the next 40 minutes. They play their set somewhat relaxed compared to the barrage of sound coming from the stage. They are limited by the smaller surroundings.
June 9, 1998 12:30 am
Andrew and Kevin Donnini (bass) are in a wrestling match in the motel room. Kris McCadden (vocals) referees and tells them to stop before we all get thrown out. They don't listen. Sleep comes at 1:30 am. We will wake at 6:30 am in order to make Albuquerque, NM the next night for a show.
1:45 PM
Our caravan has three vans. The Astro-charis van is in the lead because they have cruise control. The Embodyment Dodge is up ahead and we follow in a brown GMC with a trailer. We were able to conserve space by sharing equipment, like drums and speaker cabs. The Embodyment guys are now throwing burritos and other food items at the Astro-charis van. This is first blood in a food war that we will try to remain neutral in. We lost a food war to No Innocent Victim once. We don't wish to get pulled over either. I don't think the cops would understand.
At a gas stop I ask James Lanigan (guitar) if he was the one throwing food. He says he is not going to participate. James is the quiet Embodyment guy. He is also the most recent member of the band, having played with them for less than a year. On stage his presence is similar. He rarely turns himself to the crowd but instead plays for his amplifier and seemingly for himself. This is not a bad thing at all. He seems to put his very being into his playing, not concerned about appearances or what others may think. He goes off as well, always facing his amp.
7:05 PM, Albuquerque NM
Kris is diligently setting up Embodyment merchandise, T-shirts mainly with nice designs that say "embrace the eternal." Next door is a deli where I sit with Andrew, James, and Kevin. Andrew and Kevin are extroverts, not to say that they talk a lot, but they are very entertaining. Kevin likes the road. He is constantly looking for ways to mess with his bandmates. He also likes to assign nicknames. I am The Fitz. Other less fortunate folks on the road with us have names like Cole Slaw and Lothar of the Mountain People (both Eso-charis nicknames) all thanks to Kevin. He is 18 years old but isn't immature by any means. He just likes to have fun.
The Embodyment crew at my table are now deriving pleasure by laughing at Mark who is sitting at another table.
"He's a nut," Says Kevin. "While we were recording the record he only ate donuts and sugar stix. He's insane."
"Yeah, and he's a nature freak too," chimes in Andrew. "He'll trip out on bees fighting or anything having to do with animals."
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Comments
very interesting read.
