Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child Tracklist
Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child is the debut album by American Christian metalcore band Norma Jean, released in 2002 by Solid State Records. This album was the band’s only one under the name of Norma Jean to feature vocalist Josh Scogin, current lead vocalist of The Chariot, as well as bassist Joshua Doolittle.
The entire album was recorded live with very little overdubs, and the booklet insert claims that the CD was produced entirely without the use of computers.
Scogin left the band almost immediately after the album’s release (the only music video from the album, for the track “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste”, has Brad Norris on vocals). He talked about leaving the band in this interview, saying:
It was a very spiritual thing. It was just something I felt like, sorta led by the Lord to do… in life, I’m not so sure you’re supposed to take the easiest road… I just felt like I should walk away.
This album was definitely Scogin’s freshman appearance. The vocals are rougher and more difficult to understand than they would be later under The Chariot. The themes are more abstract, but the foundation is laid for future successes from both Norma Jean and, separately, Scogin.
