Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Concert Review


Photos by John DiBiase

Norma Jean; The Chariot; The Plague, The Plague, The Plague
6/22/05, Rcktwn, Nashville, TN

I’m not much of a hardcore kid…at all. The girl pants, the hardcore dancing… I just never really got into it. And there was a time when I didn’t appreciate the music at all, but I have too many friends that listen to it to entirely hate it. In fact, in the last year, I’ve found myself listening to it of my own accord more and more.

But the opportunity to see Norma Jean and The Chariot for a mere five bucks, as well as watch the filming of Norma Jean’s "Absentimental" video, was not something I was going to pass up. I love filmmaking. It’s one of my only true passions besides music. So on June 22nd, fellow JesusFreakHideout.com staff member Jessica Vander Loop and I went over to Rcktwn to see the heavy rock show.

The first band to play was The Plague, The Plague, The Plague. There were two lead singers, one of which must have bitten his tongue at the beginning of their show, because his mouth was bleeding the entire set. The other was actually a female. It was kind of scary seeing a girl do that kind of guttural screaming, but I was alone in my opinion. The rest of the crowd drank her in. The Plague’s entire set seemed like one continuous song, and they were absolute havoc while they lasted. Guitarist Andy Atkins told me the band finds the hardcore scene somewhat comical, so there stage presence reflected that. But they made clear their Christian beliefs and invited anyone that didn’t know Jesus Christ to come talk to them after their set.

Next up was The Chariot. The intro to their set was actually the opening from a movie called Primer, which I am going to shamelessly plug because it is an incredible movie which no one seems to have seen. After the intro, the chaos ensued. Frontman Josh Scogin has such a stage presence about him. He’s just a joy to watch on stage. The way he can get the audience moving is absolutely amazing. They played such songs as "Die Interviewer (I Only Speak in German)," "The Company, the Comfort, the Grave," "Dialogue with a Question Mark," as well as others. They ended their set with "Before There Was Atlanta, There was Douglasville."

And finally, the "Almighty Norma Jean," as Scogin put it. Lead singer Cory Brandan announced early on that they would be playing their song "Absentimental" about four times throughout their set. They spread it out so that every third song was "Absentimental." The funny things was, the song got more exciting and energetic with every take. By the end of Norma Jean’s set, the entire place was one huge mosh pit. Slam dancing, shoving, punching, stage diving… you name it. It was getting so bad that Brandan stopped to announce the lack of "fun" when people get hurt. "We’re here to have fun and people getting hurt isn’t fun," he said. They played many songs from their new release O God, the Aftermath and ended their set with "Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste." The helpless masses screamed for one more song… and they got it. Honestly I don’t know what song it was. Nonetheless, Brandan said we were one of the best crowds they had ever played for, and I would have to agree. The energy was insane. Everybody was moving. And Norma Jean played a set to remember.

-- Josh Taylor, 6/23/05

 

 

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This Friday, September 5, 2025
ALBUMS
A Life Aligned The Light That Failed To Cease (independent)
Philip Anthony A League of My Own (ALOMO) - EP (independent)
Josh Baldwin Full Grown Man, Vol. 1 - EP [Bethel]
bodie NO SKIPS [Provident]
Colony House 77 (Pt. 1) [Roon]
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - EP [DREAM]
The Gray Havens This Is Not the End (independent)
Forrest Frank CHILD OF GOD II (BACK TO BACK) DELUXE [River House]

SINGLES
Bill B. GOD KNOW ft. TrigNO - Single [Syntax]
Mark Bishop I'm Gonna Do What I Said I'd Do - Single [Sonlite]
Brave Days Friendly Fire - Single (independent)
CalledOut Music Adore You - Single [Integrity]
Michael Carder Where Do I Go From Here - Single (independent)
Charis Music Pressing Through (feat. Hailey Trevino) - Single [NWN]
Darius Mullin & Dre Murray Cash & Burn - Single [Syntax]
Kristene DiMarco Song for My Children - Single [Bethel]
Amanda Janson Sinner to Saint - Single [Pure Mosaic]
JSP It's Not Your Fault - Single (independent)
Tae Lamar Vengeance II (feat. MotionPlus, Propaganda, and m1L) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Patrick Mayberry Everlasting Arms - Single [Provident]
No Vain Glory FLEX - Single [Syntax]
Jemimah Paine Reason - Single [Integrated Music Rights]
R.kitect Tha Deep End - Single [Syntax]
Razzie & theprodigaljoe Man Make Plans - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile My Mind is a Prison - Single [Syntax]
Carly Ann Taylor Why Should I Worry (Remind Me Version) - Single [Curb]
Jaci Velasquez, Evan Egerer ¡DALE! Praise - Single [Rixon]
NEEDTOBREATHE Momma Loves Me (feat. The Red Clay Strays) - Single [Omnivore]
Madison Watkins You Won't - Single [Provident]
Wisenheart Well-Worn Door - Single (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Shine n Me (feat. Edward Rivera) - Single [Bethel]

Next Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)


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