Norma Jean.  Ponder that name for a minute and you may think of Marilyn Monroe, seeing how that was her real name. Try it again and if you have been following heavy music in the last few years, the immediate mental picture that comes to mind isn’t one of the old Hollywood starlet but of a gang of five from Atlanta, Georgia who have established themselves as genuine heavyweights in the world of metal and hard-core.

Currently on their New American Noise Tour with A Life Once Lost, The Chariot and The Handshake Murders, I spent some time with vocalist Cory Brandon at their Dallas, Texas stop before the show.  We talked about, among other things, South America, Helmet and the Silversun Pickups. The obvious first question is how the tour is going.

“Really awesome. We're on the fifth date right now” says Brandon, taking a casual drag from his cigarette. “We just wanted to do a tour with some of our closest friends; bands that we are really into as opposed to a tour that was only put together because its marketable or just to draw these type of kids.”

It isn’t news that they are a band comprised of Christians and while countless articles have been written discussing this topic, I make mention of this because Norma Jean are a perfect example of how Christianity is becoming an important medium in heavy metal. This may be a complete contradiction to some purists but to others, a very welcomed change in the current landscape.

I asked Brandon if it ever becomes tiresome or annoying carrying around the label of “Christian band” and having to discuss their faith every time or is it always a welcomed opportunity to discuss their perspective. Brandon replies with careful thought.

“Not at all. I don’t find it annoying at all because that is the staple of Norma Jean, the cornerstone of our lyrics. I like to talk about what we are passionate about. The thing is that the sound of our music has nothing to do with what we believe at all. A sound can’t have a belief. You know, instrumental bands such as Don Cabellero and Unwed Sailor still have an emotion behind those songs. You can feel it for sure but when you add a belief behind the music is when things change. Overall, we write what we write and don’t push our beliefs on any particular group and whoever accepts it, go right ahead. We aren’t any different from any other band in that we sing what we believe in, like every band does.”

On their latest release Redeemer, they exploit their souls of personal dissonance even further, maintaining the already well-known chaotic riffage and even manage to throw in more standard clean-sounding vocals, without losing the venomous screams and growls. Never lacking in the needed emotions, it was their meeting with noted rock producer Ross Robinson (At The Drive In, The Cure, Korn) that brought the final piece in completing their most recent opus.

“Ross is amazing as a person. He came out a show and we all connected immediately. He wanted to see if we would even connect at all. He is very emotional-based in his producing rather than technical based. He helped push us bring out the energy behind the music. He is a great friend of the band now.” said Brandon