Klatzke
12/01/08, 07:00 AM
Norma Jean - The Anti Mother
Record Label: Solid State Records
Release Date: August 5, 2008
Let me start by saying that to this point, I've never liked Norma Jean. Their entire discography, from the Scogin era to Redeemer, never appealed to me. To me, each disc just better asserted that they were leading the pack of generic metalcore. With The Anti Mother, however, it seems like Norma Jean is trying to change all that. You know that album that kind of defines every artists career? Where they pass from their generic sound and evolve into something that's actually a bit different? Well, it seems like The Anti Mother may be just that album for Norma Jean.
Some of the tracks follow the same Redeemer sound, such as the first track "Vipers, Snakes, And Actors" and "Birth Of The Anti Mother." Even in this track though, there is a noticeable difference in vocals and instrumentation. The instrumentation doesn't seem to be as hard as the rest of the discography, but at the same time seems heavier and more textured. The rest of the tracks seem to follow a kind of Thrice-meets-metalcore sound, and they're what make the album as good as it is. The vocals are gruff but still somehow melodic, and the screams are powerful, but not extremely generic. The band seems to have ditched the breakdowns of their former release completely.
When most bands transform the way Norma Jean has, I'm completely awe-struck as to why. However, with Norma Jean, I more than accept the transformation; I welcome it. It's still in-your-face and heavy but, unlike the rest of the discography, isn't completely one-sided. Just by incorporating different vocal techniques and changing their sound up some, they've changed from staple metalcore band to something worth boasting about. Some of the tracks may be hit-or-miss, but overall this is a very solid album. Like a lot of bands that try to diversify their sound though, they're going to need a bit of time to work out the kinks.
Norma Jean has completely changed my view of them. While not doing anything revolutionary, they've somehow convinced me now that they aren't just a cookie-cutter metal band. They've risen far above my expectations and released something that I think they should definitely be proud of. I may not have enjoyed their previous releases, but The Anti Mother has found itself a place in my music collection. To say Norma Jean hasn't progressed would be blasphemy. While they may not have gone too far, they've given me great expectations for the future of their band.
Every Time I Die; Thrice; old Norma Jean
myspace.com/normajean (http://www.myspace.com/normajean)
originally posted at highbeamreview.com on July 27, 2008
Record Label: Solid State Records
Release Date: August 5, 2008
Let me start by saying that to this point, I've never liked Norma Jean. Their entire discography, from the Scogin era to Redeemer, never appealed to me. To me, each disc just better asserted that they were leading the pack of generic metalcore. With The Anti Mother, however, it seems like Norma Jean is trying to change all that. You know that album that kind of defines every artists career? Where they pass from their generic sound and evolve into something that's actually a bit different? Well, it seems like The Anti Mother may be just that album for Norma Jean.
Some of the tracks follow the same Redeemer sound, such as the first track "Vipers, Snakes, And Actors" and "Birth Of The Anti Mother." Even in this track though, there is a noticeable difference in vocals and instrumentation. The instrumentation doesn't seem to be as hard as the rest of the discography, but at the same time seems heavier and more textured. The rest of the tracks seem to follow a kind of Thrice-meets-metalcore sound, and they're what make the album as good as it is. The vocals are gruff but still somehow melodic, and the screams are powerful, but not extremely generic. The band seems to have ditched the breakdowns of their former release completely.
When most bands transform the way Norma Jean has, I'm completely awe-struck as to why. However, with Norma Jean, I more than accept the transformation; I welcome it. It's still in-your-face and heavy but, unlike the rest of the discography, isn't completely one-sided. Just by incorporating different vocal techniques and changing their sound up some, they've changed from staple metalcore band to something worth boasting about. Some of the tracks may be hit-or-miss, but overall this is a very solid album. Like a lot of bands that try to diversify their sound though, they're going to need a bit of time to work out the kinks.
Norma Jean has completely changed my view of them. While not doing anything revolutionary, they've somehow convinced me now that they aren't just a cookie-cutter metal band. They've risen far above my expectations and released something that I think they should definitely be proud of. I may not have enjoyed their previous releases, but The Anti Mother has found itself a place in my music collection. To say Norma Jean hasn't progressed would be blasphemy. While they may not have gone too far, they've given me great expectations for the future of their band.
Every Time I Die; Thrice; old Norma Jean
myspace.com/normajean (http://www.myspace.com/normajean)
originally posted at highbeamreview.com on July 27, 2008