From Douglas, Georgia American Christian rock band Norma Jean has been around since 1997 rocking the music scene with their unique presence. The band consists of members Chris John Day (guitar), Cory Brandan Putman (vocals/guitar), Jeff Hickey (guitar), Clayton Holyok (drums), and John Finnegan (bass). Now on their sixth album, this group has been through the ups and downs of label and member changes throughout the years. After three years since their last album Meridonial, Norma Jean released their latest album on August 8 entitled Wrongdoers. This record highlight’s Norma Jean’s raw and genuine sound of metalcore.
Wrongdoers starts fiery and continues throughout eleven consistent tracks. Track one, “Hive Minds”, has a steady beat and an intense build up to kick off the album. The next three tracks, “If You Got It At Five, You Got It At Fifty”, “Wrongdoers”, and “The Potter Has No Hands”, give the record a fast paced and “in your face” sound. The quick and choppy guitar riffs and brutal screams make listeners want to move. The tone of the album slows down a bit when track five, “Sword In Mouth, Fire Eyes”, comes in to play. The restrained song starts off with guitar riffs similar to “Hive Minds”, but quickly converts into a fantastic song that shows off Putman’s great singing voice. The introduction to the second half of the record, “The Lash Whistled Like A Singing Wind”, heavily leads into “Neck In The Hemp”. This thrashing tune has powerful breakdowns and solid guitar riffs. The next two songs slowly change the tempo to prepare listeners for the final fourteen minute long track. “Sun Dies, Blood Moon” begins with a mellow guitar and subdued vocals. The rich melody continues with intense refrains and ends with a little-to-long finale of a steady drum beat and slow guitar riffs.
Overall, Wrongdoers has its highs and lows. Some tracks were a bit too all over the place, but others were right on target. Highlights of this record include “Hive Minds” and “Sword In Mouth, Fire Eyes”. The album contains straight up heavy jams and tracks with great melodies and clean vocals. Although this record has some killer tracks, Norma Jean’s classic sound starts to become a little derivative. After taking three years to write this album and being a band since 1997, creative changes would be expected. Nevertheless, Norma Jean’s newest and sixth record, Wrongdoers, is a set of rock and roll sounds that get you head banging. Cryptic Rock gives Wrongdoers 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed Emma Guido
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