Spring Break
Norma Jean attacks with album 'Redeemer'
By: Brandon Weiss
Issue date: 5/11/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Originally published: 5/11/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 5/11/07 at 10:30 AM EST
Originally published: 5/11/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 5/11/07 at 10:30 AM EST
Norma Jean has been at the forefront of the hardcore scene for as long as the average hardcore fan can remember. After finding success with their previous album, O' God, The Aftermath, the band has reemerged with their latest concoction, a chaotic, brutal album called Redeemer. Although their music is thoughtful and suggestive, singer Cory Brandon likes to keep it fun when writing.
"I remember the very first day that we started writing; we talked about what we wanted to go for," says Brandon. "One of the main things we talked about was having fun doing this. Music is exciting. I think sometimes people take it a little too seriously."
The singer says that the band understands that music is a business but at the same time tries not to take it too seriously.
"Sure it's a form of entertainment," says the personable front man, "but for musicians, and music listeners it's more than that too."
The bottom line is that Redeemer is full of raw energy. Their latest effort exhibits the same vigor that Norma Jean is notorious for.
Brandon explains that the band's writing process comes instinctively to them. "All our records, and this record, is very natural and very spontaneous," says the singer. Brandon says that the band likes to "have fun writing, instead of sitting down and saying, 'what can we do to kind of blow people out of their seats and go 'Wow, listen to that riff!''"
Also, Brandon explains that the band is very close with one another, and therefore they feel very comfortable writing together. "When we were recording, we would have discussions where we would just sit and talk about the song for so long," tells Brandon. "We would sit and say 'you know what, we're going to write about that.' It's something that all of us can relate to."
The fact that everyone understands each song adds to the chemistry of the band. "Every single one of us knows what these songs are about rather than just the guy who writes the lyrics. It makes the recording experience and playing these songs live a lot more passionate because you know what the meaning is behind the songs." It makes sense that the band would have an easier time performing with knowledge of each song's meaning. The band's live show has come a long way in the past few years, and to play a Norma Jean set takes much more than just knowledge of the songs. It takes the aggression and fervor that the band carries with their music.
"I remember the very first day that we started writing; we talked about what we wanted to go for," says Brandon. "One of the main things we talked about was having fun doing this. Music is exciting. I think sometimes people take it a little too seriously."
The singer says that the band understands that music is a business but at the same time tries not to take it too seriously.
"Sure it's a form of entertainment," says the personable front man, "but for musicians, and music listeners it's more than that too."
The bottom line is that Redeemer is full of raw energy. Their latest effort exhibits the same vigor that Norma Jean is notorious for.
Brandon explains that the band's writing process comes instinctively to them. "All our records, and this record, is very natural and very spontaneous," says the singer. Brandon says that the band likes to "have fun writing, instead of sitting down and saying, 'what can we do to kind of blow people out of their seats and go 'Wow, listen to that riff!''"
Also, Brandon explains that the band is very close with one another, and therefore they feel very comfortable writing together. "When we were recording, we would have discussions where we would just sit and talk about the song for so long," tells Brandon. "We would sit and say 'you know what, we're going to write about that.' It's something that all of us can relate to."
The fact that everyone understands each song adds to the chemistry of the band. "Every single one of us knows what these songs are about rather than just the guy who writes the lyrics. It makes the recording experience and playing these songs live a lot more passionate because you know what the meaning is behind the songs." It makes sense that the band would have an easier time performing with knowledge of each song's meaning. The band's live show has come a long way in the past few years, and to play a Norma Jean set takes much more than just knowledge of the songs. It takes the aggression and fervor that the band carries with their music.
