This post-hardcore quartet was formed in 1985 from the ashes of two influential Washington, DC, USA-based hardcore bands. Ian MacKaye (b. 16 April 1962, Washington, DC, USA; vocals) had become a minor legend around his home city as the frontman of Minor Threat, while Michael Hampton (guitar), Chris Bald (bass) and Ivor Hanson (drums) had played with MacKaye’s brother Alec in the Faith. Embrace completed sessions for an album during 1985/6, but split up prior to an official release. MacKaye subsequently issued the material via his Dischord Records label in 1987. The self-titled album revealed a more melodic approach than the frantic hardcore of the members’ previous bands, with a considered and reflective tone that MacKaye would pursue with Fugazi. Alongside the similarly styled Rites Of Spring, the solitary Embrace album is now considered a forerunner of the emocore genre that blossomed in popularity at the start of the new millennium. (NB: Not to be confused with the UK indie rock band of the same name.)
