For over two decades, Norma Jean has been a trailblazer in the metalcore scene. Originating in Atlanta, Georgia, the band emerged in the early 2000s with a sound that blended unrelenting aggression, chaotic arrangements, and introspective lyricism. Taking their name from Marilyn Monroe’s birth name, Norma Jean quickly gained a reputation for their fearless experimentation and relentless live shows. The critical and commercial success of their fifth album Meridional in 2010 marked a high point in their career and found the band at a critical juncture as to how to expand on this success. With Wrongdoers, their sixth studio album, they managed to expand their sound without losing their edge, creating one of their most ambitious and enduring records to date. While the band’s chaotic energy and raw power remain intact, Wrongdoers incorporates elements rarely heard in metalcore—live strings, pianos, and organs—without sounding disjointed or pretentious. For Record Store Day Black Friday, Craft Recordings is reissuing Norma Jean’s genre-bending album for the first time since its release in 2013 on a stunning “Fire Eyes” colored vinyl.
The album opens with “Hive Minds,” a relentless barrage of punishing riffs, guttural screams, and intricate drumming that immediately sets the tone for the album. The frenzied energy of the opener leads seamlessly into “If You Got It at Five, You Got It at Fifty,” a standout track that showcases the band’s mastery of dynamics. The blistering verses give way to a hauntingly melodic bridge, making it one of the most memorable tracks on the album. The title track, “Wrongdoers,” with its anthemic chorus and pounding rhythms, captures a sense of existential struggle, while the layered instrumentation adds a richness that elevates it beyond standard metalcore fare. One of the album’s most haunting moments comes with “Sword in Mouth, Fire Eyes,” a slower and more atmospheric track. The track allows the band to showcase their melodic sensibilities without sacrificing intensity. Cory Brandan’s vocal delivery is particularly striking here, as he shifts from anguished screams to mournful singing, creating an emotional core that resonates long after the song ends. The album’s closing track, “Sun Dies, Blood Moon”, is a fourteen-minute epic that feels like a culmination of everything Norma Jean had been building toward. The song ebbs and flows between moments of crushing heaviness and ethereal beauty, with its haunting outro serving as a perfect bookend to the album’s journey.
What sets Wrongdoers apart is the way it captures the essence of Norma Jean’s evolution. While earlier albums leaned heavily into raw aggression and chaotic energy, Wrongdoers feels like a mature refinement of their sound. The incorporation of classical instruments, subtle melodic shifts, and thoughtful production doesn’t dilute their heaviness—it amplifies it. This willingness to experiment without losing their core identity is what makes Norma Jean one of the most enduring bands in metalcore. The RSD Black Friday vinyl reissue of Wrongdoers is a testament to its enduring impact. Pressed on “Fire Eyes” colored vinyl and featuring a printed lyric insert and limited to 2,750 copies, this edition gives fans a chance to own this pristine-sounding, landmark album on vinyl for the first time since its release.
