We have been getting a bunch of reviews for our E.P. Bone Crusher so we decided to make this blog with all of the reviews/media for Norris in it, so you can check out what people are saying. Here is what people are saying so far:
"Like the Spanish Inquisition, you never can expect what comes next from Thunder Bay's Norris. On their new EP Bonecrusher, they've sought to capture mathcore, grind, screamo, prog and doom and force it haphazardly into a blender. Take a drink of standout "King George The Third Would Be Turning In His Grave". Time signatures shift constantly, pinch harmonics punctuate frantic guitar runs. This is all layered as if sweet chocolate icing over top of the main rhythmic cake of churning groove riffs and howler-monkey proclamations. Musically and lyrically, it all sounds almost out of control, emotionally on the edge of falling apart – yet they rally and reassemble, again punching out grooves on point and on time."
Erik Lindholm
Vol. 5 - #3 Issue 27 - April/May 2009
"What we have hear is the second EP from Thunder Bay based noisemongers Norris. The first EP showcased a very strong Dillinger Escape Plan influence but Bone Crusher shows the band moving away from that and fusing elements of rock into the sound for added effect. The Dillinger influence is still here but there is no denying that the band has morphed into a much more original beast with this album."
The band starts off full force with "Epic Failure". Slow paced dirges mix with rapid fire guitar runs to create a sound that is technical yet instantly memorable. The rock inspired riffs are just extra icing on the cake as are the odd time signatures thrown in throughout the song. "King George The Third Would Be Turning In His Grave" shows that the band has an excellent grasp on tempo changes and like "Epic Failure" also utilizes slower dirge riffs to great lengths. In fact I was expecting much more speed from the band but was really surprised by the amount of dirges and atmosphere the band manages to create in a style known for just straight ahead speed and flurries of notes. Take for instance the appropriately titled "The Dirge". The song is very slow with crushing riffs and an excellent use of dissonance. It shows a slight post-hardcore feel being added as well."
"This is an excellent 5 song EP from a band that shouldn't have had to release it themselves to be perfectly honest. The band has a grasp on songwriting that bands that have been doing it for years haven't mastered and are just as tight as any of the bigger bands playing similar styles. If you are a fan of noisy yet structured chaos with guitar acrobatics then you definitely need to check out Norris."
Rating: 4/5
Mike Hochins
January 18th, 2009
"Norris is back with a new heavy-as-hell release called, Bone Crusher. Improving on their 2005 EP Ladies And Gentlemen, We Regret To Inform You That Our Worldwide Anthem Is An Explosion. The band has constructed an all out aural assault. A mixture of ravenous, grinding double bass drumming alongside a massive wall of guitars and highlighted by unearthly throat ripping vocals, Bone Crusher is an extreme metal heads dream".
"Throughout the disc, surprises await the listener around every corner. For example, the track, "King George The Third Would Be Turning In His Grave" begins as a hard and heavy and in your face tune but midway through unexpectedly switches gears and becomes something a lot mellower incorporating clean vocals and an unexpected, albeit short, but welcome reprieve from the brutality. A minute or so later the attack begins once again."
"Similar in style to bands such as Light Yourself On Fire and Converge, this disc is intense and each song has an inexorable fury and propulsive momentum that drives it towards a brief foray into chaos. The song that I feel is the best on this disc is "The Dirge". This tune contains some very good guitar work and riffs and the drumming is quite unreal. Even though the tracks are good, there is very little variety on the disc, and this type of music is certainly nothing new. However, I do believe that fans of extreme music and or the aforementioned bands will really dig Bone Crusher and what the guys in Norris have done."
Rating: 7.7/10
Bruce Moore
January 12th, 2009
Norris offers an admirable metal effort with Bone Crusher, comprised of interesting song structure and what I would call considerate arrangement. All the instruments are well represented, where a lot of metal can get overpowered with gratuitous drums or over-driven guitars. Also, the songs aren’t overly long. This genre seems to be fascinated with what I’m sure they consider to be epics; running times that seem more self-indulgent than poignant. The singing is snarly and spit-filled, but leans towards comical with, on one end, some over-the-top squeals and on the other, backing vocal interjections so plain they might have been recorded during a nap. Each of the songs has plenty of start-stops and different time signatures, often punctuated with flurries of high end notes from very clear guitars. There is a lot here to enjoy, but one can be content just soaking in the juices flying off the strings of these guitars. Overall a well packaged, well produced set."
Rating: 4/5
"After a year and half long break, Norris from Canada decided to join forces again to give us a follow up to their debut EP, a release that was able to collect interest and positive feedback by media and audiences. The new EP continues what was already expressed and pushes to further the original blend of death metal, grind and post-core: inspired by the same expressive need that led the band during last period to find new hybrid languages, Norris mixes together different inputs to produce strong and interesting song writing. Technical skills and hardcore aggressive assaults are the background for polyhedric yet pain-filled vocals. In Norris' sonic universe it's quite hard to be described in terms of comparison, especially if you consider that, with just a pair of EPs released, so far the band demonstrates a strong eclectic personality and is driven by the will to create their own sound. Obviously, the chosen way is not an easy one, but the five tracks on the EP demonstrate without doubts that the path is the right one and that the Bone Crusher creators have the needed skills. What they need now is to continue without further breaks, and to work on refining their language. Moreover, if you decide to tackle such an ambitious challenge, tenacity and diehard attitude are not just an added value. At this point, we are very curious to check their next steps."
Rating: 3/5
"For all the hardcore fans in the audience I bring to you Norris, hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, this band is worth a listen. Appealing to those who love bands such as Cursed, Terror, Botch, Black Dahlia Murder and The End, the band's latest EP titled Bone Crusher will make you shit your pants. Infused with tons of driving double kick, random guitar solos, and sporadic tempo changes the guys stay tight and spit out delicious melodics through their guitars the entire disc through. What sets them apart from other bands of this style is the vocals. The low inaudible growl lack of singing might be enough to make some cringe, but the unique tone and style immediately grows on you becoming music to your ears, literally."