Customer Reviews

Redeemer

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Disturbing cover art? Yep. Song titles that have little or nothing to do with the songs themselves? You got it. Manically driven, chaotic music? Of course. All signs point to a new offering from southern starlets Norma Jean. After 2005's "O God The Aftermath" it seems the band wasted little time in writing and recording their explosive follow up. Enlisting the help of heralded producer Ross Robinson (At The Drive In, Glassjaw, Blood Brothers) to turn the knobs in the studio, "Redeemer" was promised to be one of 2006's most anticipated and interesting listens. And the question that it comes down to is, is it worth the hype? Well to that, I would have to answer most definitely. Following their typical musical direction, Norma Jean have crafted a record which sounds nothing like their previous efforts. That's what is most gratifying about the release. Those looking for a "Bless The Martyr..." pt 2 or a continuation of anything the band had previously been doing need not apply. "Redeemer" is a beast all its own.

While the musical style on "Redeemer" might lean a little more towards "O God, The Aftermath" than "Bless The Martyr...", it really is vastly different from either of the two releases. Where as OGTA sought to take monstrous sound of BTMKTC a bit further, "Redeemer" does a nice job of molding the chaos and competency. Most songs incorporate vast ranges of sonic dissonance, and yet small does of legibility which make a lot of the tracks sound more complete than OGTA. Take "A Grand Scene For A Color Film", the explosive album opener, for example. It starts off in typical tumultuous fashion, but throughout seems to slip into slight bits of coherence. This is the pattern with many song found on the album. But don't worry, most tracks are still overly crushing.

A big plus is that Corey sounds miles better than he did on the last record. The one main problem I had with OGTA was that his vocals were so monotonous and often indecipherable. This has been fully addressed on "Redeemer." Not only does Corey show off some nice range (a wide variety of screams, some subtle rough melody), but you can actually understand a lot of what he's saying! His screams are fierce and rough and sound perfectly in sync with the frantic atmosphere the rest of the band creates. He also manages to slip in a few nice moments of melody, although I'd hardly qualify it as "emo-singing" or selling out. Those familiar with songs like "Bayonnetwork" from the last record should have a general idea of what I'm talking about. And it works well. Very well as seen on tracks like "Blueprints For Future Homes" and "Songs Sound Much Sadder."

As for the rest of the band, they're still keeping up the intensity. Chris and Scottie continue to create discordantly crashing guitar riffs that are crushing, disorderly and catchy all at the same time. There's plenty of moments that recall the vintage fury of "Bless The Martyr..." and "O God, The Aftermath," but plenty that break new ground as well. Danny is still a force to be reckoned with on the drum set, although his patterns are much more focused on groove this time it seems. He does have a few impressive sections though. Jake doesn't see many points to shine on the low end, but in a few selected moments he adds a lot of depth and edge to a song.

I can always appreciate a band which is constantly willing to push themselves to the limit and try new things, and that's exactly what Norma Jean delivers with every record they put out. Is it their best record? Well that of course depends on your own perspective. I'll say it doesn't out do Martyr, but it might be ahead of O God. If you were able to stay with the band after the last release, then you won't have any problem diving right into this record. No one screams beautiful chaos quite like Norma Jean (except maybe Converge), and with "Redeemer" they continue to prove why.

I have to be honest while I really enjoy this genre of music I find that too many of its bands get stuck sounding the same on every record and every song ends up being the same heavy guitar riff coupled with the inaudible screaming. So when Norma Jean surprised me with another record only one year after thier awesome sophomore record, O God The Aftermath, I was very skeptical and yet I wanted them to prove me wrong.

I really have to say they did prove me wrong. The screaming is varied. The song structures are alot more creative this time around and they do a good job of really making each song stand out on its own. While many of the riffs may sound a little familiar by the end of the song you will see how they managed to break the mold and truly give their fans a record worth owning.

The vocals are actually understandable at times which was something I really missed from the "Bless the Martyr" days. Usually I am wary of a band that releases another record so soon after the last but it doesn't sound rushed at all. The art work is cool but alot more subtle then on the last record. This record is a beast and should be in any fans CD collection.

Props to these southern maniacs for once again proving that all of the hype for this band is justified.

Call it a new-found sense of direction, call it "selling out", call it another step towards world domination, call it the end of hardcore/metalcore, call it what you will, but in the end, Norma Jean's latest record (their 3rd, and 2nd in just over a year) still kicks, but, with a melodic twist. Some of you who liked "O God the Aftermath" will like this record, but for those who swear by "Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child", it may be a little tougher to swallow, because there are good portions of melody within the chaotic confines of Redeemer that may not appeal to the diehards. Some of those diehards have already heard the album and cried "sellout!". Believe me, I was one of them.


The first song I heard from the album was "Blueprints for Future Homes" off of Norma Jean's Myspace page. Yes I listened to it when it was streamed after midnight sometime in late July. I heard it, listened to it, again and again...and it wasn't a slam dunk to me. I knew it was a change, but...I was worried that the guys were gonna go soft, and I was especially worried that the fellows from the Jean, for some of the punishing songs that they've done before, would commit a whole album to this kind of melody. However, when "The End of All Things Will Be Televised" was released later on via Myspace, I was quickly vindicated. Yes, a heavy song, tempo changes, and somehow they made melody work within this song...yes! I then heard "A Small Spark vs. a Great Forest"...another winner, a bit more melodic than "The End..." but it showed me that these guys somehow pulled melody and menace together quite wonderfully.


Then I went and bought the album at Best Buy for just over 8 bucks two days after it came out. This album, for the most part, delivered what was promised by the songs that came out before the release. The guitars may not be as heavy as the previous two albums, but they still can explode out of your car speakers, plus the feedback from the guitars lend a deliciously noisy effect, but at the same time, can be melodic when needed to, especially in songs such as "Songs Sound Much Sadder". The bass still kicks throughout, even if it doesn't stand out as much. The drums hammer out plenty of grooves, even if they don't pummel as much as "Bless the Martyr..." The real standout is Cory's vocals. I can finally hear what the hell he's saying in his screams now. Not only does he hit those high screams, but he gives a couple of good low bellows that shocked the hell out of me when I heard them. Lastly, he pulls off more clean singing that demonstrate that Cory isn't all "yell yell yell".


That doesn't mean the record is perfect. I'm still trying to figure out why the drums don't sound as good here as before. I know Daniel (the drummer) isn't pummeling as hard as before, but at least give the drums a better sound, one that doesn't sound as choked. Also, a couple of the songs could have stood out a LITTTLE more. Plus, track 4 "A Temperamental Widower" does seem like filler that is just occupying space between the awesomeness of the tracks that sandwhich it. One more thing: no epic song. WTF? and the album is the shortest NJ album, but still, 41 minutes is better than no minutes, right? Here's my review for each song:

A Grand Scene for a Color Film - a good opener to start the album off. Usually NJ doesn't disappoint in opening up an album with a kickass first song. This song does a pretty good job with the screaming. I also love the "Let's break out the shotguns, we're going to town" refrain.

Blueprints for Future Homes - more melodic than usual. This one will puzzle the diehards, and I was a little perplexed too. But, I'm growing on this song. Plus Cory's scream is still here.

A Small Spark vs. a Great Forest - a blending of sing-song harmonies and screaming dissonance. One of my favorites on the album. Plus, the intro is awesome.

A Temperamental Widower - not a favorite. A bit punk rock like, but really just seems like filler. I'll still listen to it because of Cory's screams, and the next song it leads into...

The End of All Things Will Be Televised - the best song on the album. Bar none. This is a new classic. Like I said before, tempo changes, dissonance, melody (not much here), screaming. Also the "epic" song of the album by default, at only 5:11...for shame NJ. Well, at least it's the longest because it is the best. Plus, the chant "Tonight the South is on Fire!"...everybody's gonna repeat that. Definitely a future concert favorite.

Songs Sound Much Sadder - a shorter song with definite melody during the...yes...chorus (what? they have choruses in their songs? Yes) I like the singing amidst the screaming. Doesn't hurt to have one of the guys from Underoath help write this song.

The Longest Lasting Statement - Ironic title because it's the shortest song on here. But, it's one of the heaviest. Definitely one that could have been an outtake from Bless the Martyr. Tool-like feedback? Check. Punk rock mid-section? Check. Bellowing from the gut? Check. Love the end when Cory goes from midrange scream to low end bellow. Awesome.

Amnesty Please - a bit like the last one, but with a constant rhythm. Guitar riffs are heavy, which is good.

Like Swimming Circles - not a bad song, but the "don't you dare insinuate me" refrain isn't quite as fist pumping as "Tonight the South is on fire!". Plus, it seems as though this song and the last one almost sound
like one long song.

Cemetary Like a Stage - stands out a little more, but mostly because it's more brooding, and darker, especially when during the section where only the bass is played and Cory starts intoning the lyrics about death (he says the song is about his father's death).

No Passenger, No Parasite - this is the slow-down song of the album. But, here, it works well because it's the last song (track 7 off of Bless the Martyr didn't work quite as well), and very few lyrics to this, surprisingly for a nearly 5 minute song. Slow, droning, and almost dream like, this song ends the album on a somewhat melancholic note (even if the last minute is mostly guitar and screaming).

Verdict: a good album, definitely worth the 8 bucks. So get it. It's worth it.

First off I'm actually 17 but it's more conveinent to be a kid for the purposes of this review. The first Norma Jean album, as most of us know, is a legendary piece of art containing manic drums and deep heavy guitar with some of the fiercest vocals ever heard. Doesn't quite crack my top 10 (Orchid, Converge, Botch and Forsetlla Ford have that list secured) but easily my top 25 favorites. Now the second Norma Jean album just sounded like a horrible attempt to rip off Botch. Some parts were good, but overall it just didn't do it for me. I'd give it maybe a 3 and that would be generous. This cd however amazed me. It reminds me of botch with a bit more melody. The vocals range from very deep and brutal to melodic, the lyrics are preety good (not the best but not bad by any means) and there are some very impressive songs on there (my favorites are amnesty please and songs sound much sadder). So in short: Hail the queen, Norma Jean.

to be concise, this album is the juxtaposition
of the infectious sing-along-chant style
of bless the martyr, kiss the child
coupled the technicality and heaviness
that was acheived on o' god the aftermath.

it took me a few listens to come to grips with this,
but now i'm addicted.
my one complaint is "no passenger, no parasite"
which amounts to nothing more than
'that one slow track we have on there for no reason'
which sounds almost identical
to the song of the same distinction on the new underoath.
but despite that, this album is definately in my top five of the year.

highlights:
blueprints for broken homes
a tempermental widower
amnesty please.

oh, and the guy who said the track titles were meaningless...
just because you do not understand something
does not mean it is without meaning.

"Don't be fooled by those promo photos of Norma Jean all dirtied up in your new AltPress issue because their latest album, Redeemer, shines with a clean-cutting and smooth sound from alt-rock master producer Ross Robinson. Norma Jean's last offering, 2005's sludgy O` God The Aftermath, was the first with vocalist Cory Brandan, who replaced the much loved Josh Scogin. O` God was received with mixed reactions, but one thing most people could agree on was that it sounded like Botch Jr. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong from being influenced by such a great band, but when it dominates your sound, it becomes a bit much, and that was the major downfall to O` God. Norma Jean looked to redeem themselves with their third album from Solid State, and, with help from Robinson, succeeded greatly. The eleven track beatdown is a return to what made Norma Jean so loved in the first place. Back is the melody, Brandon's vocals have improved dramatically, and the guitars are bombastic.

Vicious guitars and Brandan's scream kick off the album's opener, "A Grand Scene For A Color Film," in grand fashion. The minor breakdown following by the emphatic lyric "Let's break out the shotguns/we're going to town!" is one of the song's highlights. The next track is "Blueprints For Future Homes," which was the first song that Norma posted on their Myspace page, which led to a lot of angry responses from "fans." This song may feature a bit more "singing" than your normal NJ song, but that doesn't take away from the track, as it is still a crushing display of metal. "A Small Spark vs. A Great Forest" begins with a rising riff and Daniel Davison's tribal drumming which eventually leads into Scottie Henry and Chris Day's sonically abusing guitars. The track balances between when to turn it up and when to turn it down well, and the closing breakdown is especially vibrant. "A Temperamental Widower" picks up the pace and kicks you in the throat repeatedly, something O` God never did. The beatings continue with "The End Of All Things Will Be Televised," as Brandan's unforgiving vocals rip through this song. The next track, "Songs Sound Much Sadder," is my favorite on the album; the verses are fast and in your face, the chorus soars, and the final breakdown with the off-key drumming is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite Norma Jean tracks ever. "The Longest Lasting Statement" chugs throughout the first verse and then kicks into high gear. "Amnesty Please" begins with a menacing riff and fuzzed out vocals from Brandan, with a nice breakdown shooting in and out to balance it out. "Like Swimming Circles" is another barnburner, while "Cemetery Like A Stage" begins with a haunting intro and a twisting guitar riff and continues on to beat your head in. My major beef with the album, though, comes in the final track "No Passenger: No Parasite." It begins slowly, with Brandan repeatedly singing "Wake up." Now, this doesn't bother me, what bothers me is the continuous repeating of said line for the next three or so minutes. Around the fourth minute, the guitars kick in, but it's too late to save this song. It should have been used as either an intro track or interlude in the album, instead of closing it. The first ten songs I really dig, but the final track just kills it for me, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Other than that hiccup though, Redeemer is quality.

In the end, Norma Jean has finally come into their sound, combining the best elements from Bless The Martyr and Kiss The Child and O` God, and factor in the fine production from Robinson and what you'll get is one of the more solid metalcore albums of 2006. Redeemer will bring in new fans as well as bring in old ones who left after hearing O` God. The only two major downfalls of this album are the weak closing track and the fact that, really, Norma Jean isn't doing anything extraordinary, rather just making a solid album. It's not going to change lives, it's not going to redefine a genre, rather it's going to knock the crap out of you. Norma Jean has been Redeemed from their missteps and are back to take your on a wild ride." -absolutepunk.net

I couldn't have said it better myself. This Cd is absolutely lovely.

This recording reduced the qualities in Norma Jean that I felt defined them: odd time sigs and dissonance. This recording seemed like an effort to recruit fans of more of a classic rock structure. I love NJ, but I found this album to be mostly uninteresting as I have heard this all before in previous decades of rock.

I don't usually get into the screaming type of music, but these guys are GREAT! I'm so happy I was convinced to give them a listen. Wow, what I would have been missing out on...heavy riffs and screams, but with many angles. They definitely do not show like every other screamo...metal...out there. I haven't stopped listening to since I purchased it. It's that good. Go get redeemed!

Redeemer is a solid album by Norma Jean that incorporates strong riffs, powerful vocals, and deep lyrics. New vocalist Corey Brandon fits into the gap that the talented Josh Scogin left when he started THe Chariot, which is a new grindcore metal band from Atlanta. All-in-all, "Redeemer" is a good album that shows Corey Brandon's powerful vocals. If you are a fan of wild Metal/Metalcore, you should consider purchasing this album.

Biased reviewers like JESTER GOD should stop writing prejudiced reviews and GROW UP. You are a sad being, Jester God; I hope you will write mature reviews next time and benefit customers of Amazon.com.

simply said. this record goes a step beyond their previous two and puts the nail in the coffin. a great great record. cory brandon's singing has improved big time compared to wut he did on "oh god, the aftermath". its way smoother and more accessible to the ears if u ask me. so yeah, anybody with a brain should buy this cd cus it WILL overcome and dominate ur fall out boy cd(if u really did, then u just flat out suck and need to re-think ur life) u decided to purchase last week, haha...and thats guaranteed. please support good bands and not these under-talented and over produced bands like FOB and Hawthorne Heights, cus they're just terrible and its a shame that they have such a huge following...its real sad. heres a hint, turn off ur computer, go get ready and put on ur mc hammer pants and go to best buy, target, circuit city, whatever and swipe ur visa to get this sucka cus it rules aight?? peace snout.