Reviewed by Ian Webber

Within the first few seconds of listening to this album you are in no doubt where Norma Jean are coming from. Throbbing guitar riffs and machine gun drumming provides backing for Cory Brandan's guttural screams. The latest album from the Georgia-based five piece band certainly underlines their metalcore credentials. There is, however, more to this recording than a wall of noise, marking a development in the band's sound. Sections of more melodic metal make some of the tracks on the album more accessible than those on earlier recordings. A choir even features on "And Their Will Be A Swarm Of Hornets". Diehard fans need not be concerned though, as "Birth Of Anti Mother" is musically brutal and lyrics are delivered with venom. Produced by Ross Robinson (Slipknot, Sepultura) the guitars and drums still sound tight at high volume which is how this album should be enjoyed. Lyrically Norma Jean continues to use mysterious imagery, but Cory Brandan explains, "The Anti Mother is a character we created which represents anything that is deceptive, and yet possesses an outwardly beautiful nature." There is on the other hand nothing deceptive about this album. You get exactly what you expect from the heaviest album Norma Jean have produced to date.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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