Loving that Hundred Suns album. It's like Norma Jean if all of their songs sounded like Fallen From The Sky. Seeing them in Chicago on Friday.
I really like it. There are a couple songs I don't care for too much, but overall it's a nice change of pace.
Hundred Suns is super good. Not sure if I like it more or less than Polar Similar. I'm just not a huge fan of the opener and closer on the Prestallis.
Yeah, I've been skipping the opener too. Still a huge fan of Polar Similar. That and Wrongdoers are my go-to NJ records.
Hundred Suns = noice. Infinite Winter sounds like Cory covering a Demon Hunter power ballad, and has been in constant rotation. Also, anyone think the singles' mixing sounds different on the album?
Been listening to ShaunLuu a lot recently. It was a bonus track on the O'God deluxe version and ended up being one of my favourites. I liked that on the CD version they didn't tack on the bonus track at the end but that they added it to the middle of the album. Not many bands revise a tracklist in that kind of way.
I just never have been able to get into O’God. I love every other record they’ve released so I normally just ignore that album.
To be honest, I've drifted away from Norma Jean over the years but I have fond memories of the first three albums. Never understood why O'God was maligned as much as it was but then Redeemer seemed to be more well received. I had initially thought it was just the impact of a different vocalist but then Redeemer somehow redeemed them (excuse the pun!) even though it sounded quite similar to me. Any thoughts on why you don't like it compared to Redeemer?
I don’t know. I feel when they switched lead vocalists, they tried to become something they weren’t. The instrumentation on O’God is alright, but I think Corey Brendan tried to do too much in order to put his stamp on the band. Redeemer was raw, kick you in the teeth, straight forward and easily digested. Redeemer also had just enough melodic, softer parts that seemed to work perfectly. Then they really stepped their game up with the ensuing pair of albums that are peak, quintessential NJ records. Perfect blend of chaos and mellowed tones.
I agree. The way Corey sounds on O'God I've never been able to enjoy, by far my least favorite. He really came to his own on Redeemer though. I've never heard this song. The moments where he sorta sings reminded me of Redeemer. The song wasn't bad haha
I definitely think it was him trying to replicate more than do his own thing but I still really enjoy O'God
All of O’God and the vocals sound like and were meant to sound like Botch. Redeemer is my favorite. Polar Similar still gets some listens from me but Hundred Suns have been butting in.
I see what you're saying. All I remember is a video before the album came out with Corey saying he tried three different types of screaming/singing for the album - I never had a problem with that even though it was different to Scogin but I can see why people would think he was trying to hard. I think Redeemer might be my favourite as well.
O'Brother was my introduction to them, so I have a soft spot for it. But Redeemer really hit me hard. Meridional gets the most play from me now to be honest. Such a great album.
Aside from blueprints I didn’t really get into NJ until anti-mother and each album after needed time to grow on me. Polar similar was the first since AM that I loved immediately, tho I have cooled on it a bit. I really wish this NJ/underoath type metal core was still big and prolific, it’s still one of my favorite genres.
I had totally forgotten about Anti-Mother. That is probably my least favourite - just never got into it.
Went to a couple UO/NJ shows. They were incredible. I need to go on a NJ tear and listen. It’s been a minute.