Norma Jean have a secret track on 'O God, the Aftermath' | Nostalgic Tendencies

Introducing a spin-off of our Aggressive Tendencies interviews, we're looking back on bands' essential albums. Nostalgic Tendencies was inspired by the fact that the classic albums of 10 years ago came out around the advent of KZbin and before online interview videos, so we're filling that with the stories behind these pieces of music that have held up over time.
Our first subjects are Georgia metalcore unit Norma Jean, who just wrapped up a tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of O' God, the Aftermath. September 29, 2015.
Read the full article now on Exclaim! exclaim.ca/musi....
Interview by Bradley Zorgdrager
Filmed + edited by Katherine Kwan
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[@CBALLZ666]

I love "O god, The Aftermath"

[@jeffd.3883]

I've played guitar for 21 years and I'm honored to say that I got to play a show with these guys.

[@frankclifton9191]

Props bro 😎 I envy you…. Who knows I may just get my shot at it one day. Fuck I know how to play every song off of redeemer

[@jeffd.3883]

@@frankclifton9191 I preferred O God but Redeemer is great too. Did you know they had a special tuning for O God? I can't remember if they were still doing it on Redeemer

[@frankclifton9191]

@@jeffd.3883 yes I literally just watched a video with Corey in an interview talking about those barred dissonant chords they used on oh God. And I would really like to know what this tuning is if you know it lol. Cause it can be a bitch sometimes tryna riff around some super complex finger arrangements

[@jeffd.3883]

​@@frankclifton9191 Drop C sharp and the high 1st string is 1/2 step lower than the 2nd string, so you can play dissonant high string "panic" chords cleanly and fast .

[@jeffd.3883]

​@@frankclifton9191 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mITOgqpnm9qBodUsi=EiBAUoj9e9aK5nOk Here's the show my band played with NJ in Orlando

[@TechnicalTrap]

Was an amazing record. Forever a part of my life.

[@kurogoma9547]

Ive been a NJ fan since the Luti-Kriss days. O God the Aftermath is easily on my top 5 favorite albums ever. the music, the music videos, the album art, the shows...

[@skadude113]

same! such a monumental piece of the scene of the time and the band as well, i love all of their releases and have been a long time fan as well, O' god is definitely my favorite NJ release

[@dreaminginnoother]

as an adolescent record, the aftermath is amazing. I love how they almost consciously ditched breakdowns after they helped popularize them. It stands out as a unique piece still after all these years. One of my favorite hardcore albums of all time. It's the reason I have tuned my guitar with "weird bird" to write my own hardcore.

[@RetroExhibitCollective]

Totally agree! There’s nothing like it that I’m familiar with. I still listen to it this day.

[@CBALLZ666]

My favorite album by Norma Jean....

[@sonicbird4315]

BASS SLAYIN' NOOB 86 same here dude this was my shit in high school

[@shaneellis8122]

This record was huge to me... Thanks Norma jean ..... this was the heavy record I was looking for at that time in my life I was in a lotta pain at the time and this album is what I needed

[@lovesgibson]

I first got into Norma jean around 2006, I think a little before redeemer was released. I was obsessed with BTMKTC and o god the aftermath. Back then I remember a lot of people disliked o god, but then they were praising redeemer when it came out. Ironically I didn't care for redeemer so much as it wasn't as "heavy". Their first two albums are really the only ones I really like

[@jackcravford8744]

redeemer is more heavy, cause it has creepy background stories, best production and heavy bass with feedbacks over the whole place. also, vocals are not pixeled.

[@prinniesforeveryone321]

​@@jackcravford8744redeemer is literally their worst album from like their first 6

[@jackcravford8744]

@@prinniesforeveryone321 yeah man, matter or preference. Ross Robinson unlocked literally everything in them during the production and recording sessions and the guitar work is unmatched completely. even their current guitarist said that when he was learning the guitar parts, it was insanely difficult cause they have so much layers, technicality and chaos in them.

[@joshuamulligan4155]

Shaun Luu was so proud and excited to be "thanked my Norma Jean" when this album came out. He, sadly, passed away a few months later. 😢

[@adamislost]

O’ God The Aftermath is the album that got me in heavy metal at 14

[@Jesse-op2wd]

best album by norma jean , hands down

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Love both of the first ones, though I don't think they've ever released anything bad.

[@DrummerEvan1]

Agreed. I think they peaked with this album.

[@jackcravford8744]

@@DrummerEvan1 I think they peaked with Redeemer, mainly Cory with his throat muscles. Ross unlocked something in them.

[@RetroExhibitCollective]

8:06 I like what he says how a lot of bands sound the same but Norma Jean has it’s on unique sound. Totally agree

[@sonicbird4315]

THIS IS BETWEEN.. ME AND THIS BLADE

[@HailEveryoneAround]

AND MY HEART

[@jeffd.3883]

The guitar riff is perfect

[@mvparsram]

Fantastic job, Mr. Zorgdrager

[@AggressiveTendencies]

+Mike Parsram Thank you!

[@hahasimp]

holy shit I didn't know there was a hidden track 0. Now I am frantically searching for my old cd

[@AggressiveTendencies]

+hahasimp themoreyouknow.gif !!

[@MetZelRio]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIilgGd6d8qShrM

[@aidenbadon3583]

Funny I was in that band “ oh god the aftermath “ think we wrote two songs really wish I could remember them

[@cavanholmes1516]

I really enjoyed recording with you guys..

[@TrephineArtist]

Excellent interview, awesome band. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Thanks so much. I agree. Have you heard their latest album?

[@TrephineArtist]

Yes ever since Redeemer I've been buying their CD's. Polar Similar didn't strike me straight away like Meridional and Wrongdoers but it's growing on me all the time, it's definitely worth listening to the whole record in one sitting, 1000000 watts, The Planet and 'Everyone talking...' are early standouts for me. Now looking forward to some France or UK tour dates from these guys.

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Band has never put out a bad album. Here's my review of 'Polar Similar,' if you're interested: exclaim.ca/music/article/norma_jean-polar_similar

[@TrephineArtist]

Yes I agree, always top quality records from NJ. Thanks I'll check out your review later.

[@Drumroll969]

I am fan after listening to Face Face... That's my fav song..

[@chrisjr1247]

this is great

[@KanryLovesMetal.]

Oh God, The Aftermath! That explains it

[@MetZelRio]

Wonderful

[@jeffd.3883]

They keep annoying me with how they cut the music right before it gets great

[@waveemann8857]

Man I think he's confusing being compared to Botch with people noticing that they've literally just put Botch riffs in their songs.

[@lovesgibson]

bokunotraplord lol, any examples? I've never known too much about botch

[@waveemann8857]

The end of Vertebraille from O' God during the "Why can't you brace yourself" part is a Botch riff (from their final EP I believe), and the beginning of The Human Face, Divine is a Botch riff (from a track off the first record). Aside from their plagiarism, there's so many influences from Botch alone in their music. I don't mean this as an insult to NJ, they never tried to hide their appreciation for the band and I am pretty sure they've said they wouldn't be who they were without them. If anything those copied/repurposed riffs are just them paying homage. If you haven't listened to much Botch you should. If you enjoy early NJ you'll appreciate what Botch did.

[@xbraidx]

I disagree. Botch is my favorite band of all time. I'm a huge fucking fanboy, but they don't have a copyright on chaotic hardcore or mathcore or whatever. Lots of bands integrate features of discord, poly-rhythms, and experimental sounds. Converge was making a similar sound a few years even before Botch. I agree that Botch is probably the most "iconic" or "niche" of this genre, but I see this more as "Botch-worship." The guitarists obviously really enjoy and take a lot of influence from Botch's music. Also, I think Norma Jean has been around long enough now to be able to own their place in the genre. They've done plenty of original shit and have tons of great tracks.

[@RicosTinFoilSombrero]

bokunotraplord oh man...that sucks to hear....im going to go check that out. Bummer though!?!

[@musicman0423]

Badass album, love this band. I suck with names, but the singer they have now is so much better than josh

[@testamentblack]

Angriest album ever

[@connarish]

bless the martyr or just nah

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Great album, but I don't think they've ever put out a bad one!

[@ScottAEdlin]

beer or red bull in that cup... discuss

[@HaloStation9]

Scott Anders ginger ale maybe?

[@maphyous228]

BLM piss

[@sonicgauge1]

O God the aftermath=disgusting and beautiful at the same time..

[@bogusboggs1066]

Dude needs to wash his hair

[@Tsonontowan]

That's what hair looks like after playing shows every night. Lol