Rising to their Own Challenge

This band never ceases to rise to the challenges placed before it. And, with Redeemer, it seems Norma Jean will even invent its own challenge in the absence of any external obstacles. With seemingly nothing to prove, the band challenges itself to not release anything remotely sounding like a sequel to either of its last two albums (Bless The Martyr, Kiss The Child and O’ God, The Aftermath). The result? A tight, swarming aggressive album even more technical and straight–up metal than anything these guys have done before.

While the core identity of chaotic madness can still be felt, there’s less frenetic dissonance and those sometimes sloppy, but full–of–attitude, counterpoints in the guitars and more spot–on mean, raging and tough guy riffing. There’s even some grooving in “The End of All Things Will Be Televised.” But in most songs, such as “The Longest Lasting Statement,” axemen Scottie Henry and Chris Day support front man Cory Brandan’s wails and screams with solid setups and breakdowns.