NORMA JEAN: 'Meridional' First-Week Sales Revealed

July 21, 2010

"Meridional", the fifth album from Atlanta-based post-hardcore rockers NORMA JEAN, sold 9,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 45 on The Billboard 200 chart.

NORMA JEAN's fourth CD, "The Anti Mother", opened with more than 16,000 copies back in August 2008 to land at No. 29.

"Meridional" was released on July 13 via Razor & Tie. The CD was made available with the following retailer-specific bonus tracks and other special material:

Best Buy, Napster:

* "Kill More Presidents"
* "Deathbed Atheist" (KC Blitz remix)

iTunes:

* "Distance to Planets"

Hot Topic, Shockhound:

* "Deathbed Atheist" (The Juggernaut remix)

Newbury Comics:

* Autographed copy

Followers of the band may be surprised to find out that a track called "Kill More Presidents" didn't end up on the new record. This song was one that the band played live on tour last year and had encouraged fans to film for a potential music video. It was also the first track they demoed with producer Jeremy Griffith.

"I think it was just a case of demo-itis, us being tired of it, so that's why it's not on there," vocalist Cory Brandan told Exclaim! "We did change it though; there's a different version of that song with a new ending on it, completely different, and we'll release it eventually. But it didn't make it on the actual record. And if fans want to find the song now, the old version is out there somewhere.

Regarding the new CD's artwork, vocalist Cory Brandan recently told AOL's Noisecreep, "We take a lot of pride in all the art we use. Every record has a certain vibe, and we always want the artwork to represent that same energy.

"This record has a very specific, very dark feel throughout and I know that of any record we've ever released, this is definitely the best artwork we've ever had.

"The art was done by Jason Oda of Starvingeyes.com. I've been a fan of his work for years, and it was really awesome to have him working with us."

NORMA JEAN is currently on the road as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, playing the "Mayhem Festival Stage" with ATREYU, IN THIS MOMENT and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD.

NORMA JEAN is

Cory Brandan (lead vocals/guitars)
Scottie Henry (guitars)
Jake Schultz (bass)
Chris Day (guitars)
Chris Raines (drums)

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