Norma Jean - Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child (2002)

This record contains absolutely nothing but raw, pounding awesome (recorded entirely without the use of computers, no less). Norma Jean's 2002 debut came hard, fast and with swift vengeance. I completely understand why vocalist Josh Scogin (who is unmistakably one of the most recognized voices in hardcore today) left after the recording of this album to start The Chariot. There simply wasn't anything all the members could've done together that could ever again reach this level of awesome. The album's most famous track is no doubt "Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste," which features an amazing guest vocal appearance at the end by mewithoutYou's Aaron Weiss. Raw, unrelenting and unapologetic, this is definitely one of the albums you keep when your record collection gets split up in your divorce.

For fans of: The Chariot, mewithoutYou, Botch

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