Band:	The Embodiment
Album:	Legeon
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	2006
A review by:	Marcel Hubregtse

01. Second Eleven
02. The Embodiment
03. Legeon
04. Blood Ritual
05. Dragonhunt
06. Y2K
07. I'm Despair [2006, originally on Razor Cut Reality]
08. Careless [2006, originally on Razor Cut Reality]

Formed all the way back in 1994 The Embodiment has only released two demos, the most recent seeing the light of day in 2002. In 2003 they won the Dutch Metal Battle. Now, three years on from winning that competition we see the band, independently, releasing their debut cd called Legeon.
In 32 minutes The Embodiment subjects the listener to 8 thrash metal tracks which musically bode well for the future. The closing tracks, I'm Despair and Careless were first featured on their Razor Cut Reality demo. All tracks are interspersed with melodic solos, thereby adding the much-needed variation which is called for in this sort of thrash. No, it's not the rooted in Bay Area thrash but much more in the German variety. So, expect hurried riffing and drumming where at times you think the band members won't finish the song at the some instant and gruffy almost growling vocals.
An album which starts off with stop start riffing, as is the case here, always immediately catches my attention. A mere 32 minutes later it is suddenly all over, which to be honest I find the perfect length for this cd. Perfect? Yes, due to the uniformity of the material. It is all well executed but the songs come across as interchangeable to me. But then again that's the problem I always had, and still have, with this sort of thrash.
The biggest problem I have with this debut is not the music but the production. Guitars, bass, and vocals are all well-mixed and clearly definable, but what happened to the drum sound? It's way too thin for my liking. Ah well, considering this is an independent debut release I am certain that in future this problem will be solved.
Listening to Legeon I am sure that The Embodiment live comes across much more of a monster than is the case here. You can hear that the power is there brooding waiting to be unleashed in a live setting.
All in all a decent debut, albeit not entirely my cup of thrash tea, with its enjoyable moments, even for me. Sorry, never really could get the hang of this sort of thrash. I would especially like to draw everyone's attention to the title track with its, dare I say it, beautiful melodic guitar solos.