Concert Review: Norma Jean (Hangar 1819)

BY MARK DOLEJS

Norma Jean brought their 1994 North America Tour to Hangar 1819 in Greensboro, Friday night, despite Hurricane Helene trying to put a stop to it. The venue lost power for part of the day, but the show went on just a little later in the evening than scheduled.

No Treaty
Opening the night was No Treaty and Darkest Hour. Both of these bands tried hard to get the circle going in the mosh pit, but when Norma Jean took the stage, the crowd enthusiastically joined in.

Norma Jean's Cory Brandan
Norma Jean is fronted by Cory Brandan, who joined the metalcore band in 2004, just a few years after the band got its start in 1997. Originally the band was called Luti-Kriss, but they eventually had to change their name and came up with Norma Jean, taken from the given name of Marilyn Monroe.

Norma Jean
As a photographer, this show was a challenge to photograph, as the stage and musicians were backlit most of the show, often by strobe lights or not much light at all. As a fan, the show was fantastic with high energy and the nonstop pummeling of guitars and drums. I first photographed Norma Jean in 2004, shortly after Brandan joined the band, and that show was lit only by strobes, no constant light on the stage at all.

Norma Jean's Grayson Stewart and Phillip Farris
You could tell the crowd was filled with longtime fans as they belted the lyrics back on every song, including, “Call for the Blood,” “Memphis Will be Laid to Waste,” and “Falling From the Sky: Day Seven.”

Norma Jean's Clay Crenshaw and Jeff Hickey
Norma Jean is rounded out by Matt Marquez on drums, Clay Crenshaw on bass, and Jeff Hickey, Grayson Stewart, and Phillip Farris on guitars.

Norma Jean's Cory Brandan
The band has produced nine studio albums since their start, including Deathrattle Sing For Me, released in 2022. They played several songs from this album including “Spearmint Revolt,” “Sleep Explosion” and of course the tours namesake, “1994.”

Darkest Hour's John Henry
Before the headliner, Darkest Hour crushed the stage with their metal repertoire of songs, including opening with “Perpetual | Terminal,” off their February album by the same name. Two members of the band, vocalist John Henry and guitarist Mike Schleibaum, are from the original 1995 lineup.

No Treaty
Opening the night was semi-local, No Treaty. This is an unapologetic, Christian metal band that did not shy away from showing their faith on stage. Frontman Danny Thomas was all over the stage hyping the crowd, while belting out lyrics to songs, including “Sound the Trumpet,” “Forget,” and “Monolith.” While this band is just getting started and planning their first record release, they were a nice surprise on this night.

[message]

MARK DOLEJS

Photography is an avenue that Mark Dolejs uses to learn about the people and places that cross his path. After more than 30 years as a photojournalist, Mark enjoys concert, macro, and roadside photography. Follow Mark on Instagram at @solidrockpix.

Read Mark's posts here.