Hidden Agenda
3 years and counting has been what fans of metal had to wait for Norma Jean’s new album O’ God the Aftermath. All that can be said is, it was well worth the wait! Norma Jean is armed with a new vocalist, and the same brutal sounds that brought them to the spotlight. New front man Cory Putman also has claim to fame with the bands Living Sacrifice and Eso-Charis. His addition adds the missing piece to complete this band, a melodic feel to the brutality of metal. This will be a regular amongst metal fans. The first few songs really set the pace for this album. “Murderotica: An Avalanche in D Minor”. This song has a huge metal sound to it, classic initial scream that jumps around, multiple guitar tempo changes and crazy basslines flood this track. It definitely grabs your attention once you hit play. “Dilemmachine: Coalition, Hoax” was all over the place. This song will have the crowd moving whether at a show or in your car. This has to be the song that would make anyone aspire to be in a metal band. “Coffinspire: Multitudes, Multitudes in the valley of Decision” was one of my favorites of the album, it is one of those songs that you will to see played live. Full of screams it’s the song the avid mosh pit goer will be singing daily. Cory’s screams are what will stand out among the powerful guitar sounds. “Liarsenic: Creating a Universe of Discourse” has to be the most complete song on this album. The multiple guitar riffs along with the initial screams really grabs you. Then it goes into a melodic sound which was a good change up. This song is what I think will put this album on the map. “Disconnecktie: The Faithful Vampire” comes up next, and is full of mind blowing screams. It has to be the most intense song on the song moves in cycles and has perfect blend of screams and instrumentals. “Absentimental: Street Clams” was a decent song but seemed to me to be your typical noise core song. “Charactarantula: Talking to You and the Intake of Glass” I felt came along the same lines as “Absentimental”. I just thought it was a decent song as well nothing that excited me too much. “Pretendeavor: In Reference to a Sinking Ship” was an excellent piece to this album. Fast paced and full of intense screams is perfectly mixed with melodic verses. This is the missing piece to the puzzle Cory brought to this band. He is able to switch from screaming and to haunting melody. He will also have people singing long with some catchy lyrics. Last song is “Scientifiction”, is split into two distinct sections: “A Clot of Tragedy and A Swarm of Dedication.” This is an excellent song to end with as it moves from the first section filled with loud in your face guitar riffs and screams to the second part which is kind of a muted sound. Its haunting riffs at the end and huge metal sound made this song essential. This song should be an instant hit. In the end, all I can say is that this album is something to be excited about check it out if you’re into the brutality that is metal.