The Anti Mother

Norma Jean | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tooth & Nail Records
• ASIN: B001BKZD7I
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,659 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Norma Jean once again teams up with producer Ross Robinson to create the follow up to the critically acclaimed "Redeemer" of 2006. Norma Jean has cut a path in metal music, and continues to push boundaries and push limits on the "Anti-Mother" creating a symphony of discourse and chest pounding songs. A perfect addition to an already astonishing catalog of music, "The Anti-mother" once again why Norma Jean are trend setters, and leader in their genre. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid Effort, August 6, 2008

By 

James Brazzle "James" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Anti Mother (Audio CD)

I'm a heavily biased Jean fan but except for a few jems on The Anti-Mother, I think the well is starting to run dry. That's not to say that the band shouldn't be damn proud of this album. The journey this band has taken production wise is night and day, I almost wish they would go back and re-record "O' God The Aftermath" with this sound !! Vipers, Snakes and Actors is brutal classic Jean and if Robots 3 Humans 0 doesn't get stuck in your head I'd suggest to check if you are still breathing. I respect the fact that they aren't afraid to journey to new places but some places they aren't meant to go. This album is definitely worth a listen but overall will only end up adding a few great tracks to their live show.

Notable tracks:

Vipers, Snakes and Actors
Birth Of The Anti-Mother
Robots 3 Humans 0
Surrender Your Sons
And There Will Be A Swarm Of Hornets

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norma Jean: Revisited, August 30, 2008

By 

Joseph A. Guthrie "The Auracle" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anti Mother (Audio CD)

A lot of people said that this band would fall by the wayside after Josh Scogin, Daniel Davison and a couple of other members decided to move along and pursue other interests. Still Cory Branden and co. managed to bring about a very strong release in 'Norma Jean vs. The Anti-Mother.' Fueled by a loose concept and collaborations (not just guest appearances), strong lyrics and a newly-discovered experimental edge, it's easy to see why most scene kids would bad mouth NJ's latest release: Norma Jean finally stepped out of their comfort zone... but not without taking some of their tried-and-true formulas with them and concocting some insane, new material.

What surprises me the most is not how Norma Jean has matured musically but how MUCH they've matured and how open-minded they've become. Their decisions to not only work with Chino Moreno, Cove Reber and Page Hamilton but to make it appear that they temporarily joined the band. The outcome is superb, best seen over the track 'Opposite of Left and Wrong,' where Page and Cory trade lyrical punches back and forth like two prizefighters going twelve rounds.

On their own, their just as unrelenting. The band continues to make clean transitions in time signatures and seamlessly bring you from clear skies to violent storm clouds; Cory's decision to sing may be considered a stretch or controversial by some NJ fans, but in my mind, it picks up where Redeemer and O God, The Aftermath left off. You could hear him lightly experiment with singing in The Aftermath and Redeemer, and now he has finally found some melodic confidence without saturating his guttural screaming presence. Clearly, it works and it's not overdone, which is what makes it so inviting to listen to.

'The Anti Mother' will almost certainly be the album that redefines and revisits Norma Jean's musical style. While most will continue to try and pigeon hole bands like Norma Jean for doing something different, it shouldn't detract from the fact that 'The Anti Mother' is a breath of fresh air compared to the 80s revival garbage that most people are listening to these days; the same ol' same that most bands just can't tear away from or even the tired 'we idolize our favourite bands by trying to be just like them but were our own separate entity' charade.

'Anti Mother' is all killer, no filler. Each of the ten tracks brings about another facet of Norma Jean's visceral and cunning personality and, quite frankly, if kids can't understand why 'The Anti Mother' is what it is, they're better off listening to Cobra Starship.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norma Jean Strikes Again, November 17, 2008

By 

Media Lover - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Anti Mother (Audio CD)

Melodic? Yes. Hardcore... you bet. Norma Jean (a.k.a. pattern of God's grace and mercy) has crafted a truly stunning album I can only call epic. Unlike "O God, The Aftermath" the band is focusing more on melodies, messages and sounding REALLY REALLY GOOD. I can't say this album is better than "O God," as that is probably the best mathcore metal album I've ever heard. Still, if you're looking for a VERY enjoyable hardcore rock CD with great melodies, some punk/chaos riffs and a whole lot of replay value, this is your album.