Norma Jean | ‘Meridional’

Not a band who’d usually fall under my own radar, Norma Jean nonetheless prove themselves more than just a bunch of haircuts on this new one.

The debts owed to both Will Haven and Deftones are apparent for all to hear. Yet they pay them in heaviness and in decent songwriting. Vocalist Cory Brandan certainly reminds of both bands’ lead men, with those weary sounding clean notes dragging in long bends over the guitars.

Opener ‘Leaderless And Self Enlisted’ has a pacy, time shifted feel that reminds immediately of Dillinger Escape Plan’s ‘Miss Machine’. It’s undoubtedly the standout cut and deserves to be heard. In fact, that ‘Miss Machine’ reference is also one that persists; you get the sense DEP may have gone down precisely this route had they not elected to get difficult again.

‘The Anthem Of The Angry Brides’ also has a generously hefty breakdown riff, satisfyingly groove pushed without being in any way dumbed down. That’s the way its done.

The album flags a bit toward the end. Both ‘High Noise, Low Output’ and ‘Falling From The Sky: Day Seven’ trundle a bit despite attempts at atmospherics, and at fourteen tracks, the whole thing is most certainly too long.

But it’s decent, and reflects the end of the mainstream that’s convincingly powerful without being gimmiky in any way. Some parts even have a little of Corrosion Of Conformity’s latter day swagger, while subtle bends in the rhythm here and there definitely show that someone’s had Crowbar on the stereo.

Apparently they’re Christian. They dont make a big deal about it, and anyway, so’s Tom Araya. It doesn’t affect the metal.

They should have trimmed a little fat, but it’s engrossing stuff for at least half of the time. Do check that lead clip for proof.

3.4 / 5 - Earl Grey ::: 19/07/10