There was a point in my life during high school where unrelenting heavy guitars and throaty intense vocals were all the rage. Couldn’t get enough of it. It usually played out with more pop-oriented post hardcore bands like Underoath or more metal-tinged acts like Killswitch Engage, but there was definitely some space left for bands like Norma Jean who just dialed up the intensity to 11 and never reeled that energy in. The benefit Norma Jean had is that they also played a lot of shows with bands in the post-hardcore arena; instead of exclusively sticking to metalcore they kind of crossed over in between the two scenes seamlessly. It’s all those dissonant breakdowns that helped them find a place in two separate homes.
All that to say, any time I hear the opening growl of “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste” I will always get absolutely jacked. That’s forever in my blood. Happy Halloween kiddos.
Standout Songs: “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste”, “The Shotgun Message”
