Thrown, Norma Jean, and Boltcutter

Taking their moniker - with tongue, you have to suspect, firmly in cheek - from the real name of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jean have positioned themselves, over the course of nearly two decades and six albums to date, as one of the most influential and important bands currently playing metalcore. Admittedly, it hasn’t come without some internal turbulence, certainly in terms of their lineup, for which they appear to have operated something of an revolving door policy; lead guitarist Chris John Day is now their only remaining original member, with the rest of the current group completed by frontman Cory Brandan Putman, guitarist Jeff Hickey, bass played John Finnegan and Clayton ‘Goose’ Holyoak on drums.

They’ve even flirted with mainstream recognition over the years, having been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package for sophomore LP ‘O God, the Aftermath’ in 2005, but for the most part, their biggest achievement has been carving out a revered status within the metal community as a whole. having toured as part of Ozzfest and the Warped Tour. They’ve supported the likes of Architects and The Dillinger Escape Plan, too, and were handpicked by Rob Zombie to play the side stage at his Mayhem Festival back in 2010.