Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Nora - Loser's Intuition (2001)

Nora, named after Samantha Mathis' character in Pump Up the Volume, was formed in 1996 and released a few EPs including a split EP with The Dillinger Escape Plan. I checked out one of those EPs Theneverendingyouline a couple years ago in which the strained vocals by Carl Severson made it unbearable. On the debut full-length album Loser's Intuition, while the style hasn't changed too much, the members' talent and writing has improved, and luckily that includes Severson. No more of that strained sh*t...

This album can still be considered math-metalcore, but the mathcore side has been toned down some in favor of the metallic hardcore of Hatebreed and Earth Crisis. It's all about performing loud and heavy, nothing dramatic. The powerful groove of metal/hardcore is unleashed!

The album starts off greatly with "Wave Goodbye". The band fires away with riffs and breakdowns without ever sounding as repetitive as that EP. "My Bloody Clownsuit" follows as another killer track. "Warthog" has heavy rhythms to please my ears, especially at the end. Then we have another highlight in "Bring It". The band continue to bring their math-metalcore sound with a dash of melody from Undying.

"Nobody Takes Pictures of the Drummer" is another pummeling track, starting off with mid-paced dissonance before some vicious hardcore speed. You gotta appreciate the drumwork Chris Ross, despite nobody taking pictures of him. Then we have "For the Travelers" which is one of the heaviest anthems I've heard from this band. The riffs and tempo practically shapeshift into different forms, even slowing down for the dark effects of Godflesh. Indeed for the metalcore travelers! Now "what about standing up" for "Leadpipe Moment" with its really powerful bellows from Severson!

The title track is where the band starts to lose some steam, but it proves that good metalcore doesn't have to be from later modern bands like Northlane and Like Moths to Flames. "Mudmonster" is another d*mn killer highlight, as drilling as that cover art by Derek Hess. "Kill You for a Dollar" I'm guessing is a re-recording from one of their EPs. The more mathy side there might've been the spark for Iwrestledabearonce later on. However, I feel like it could've been better if it was longer than just under two minutes.

Loser's Intuition is a lot more worth your money than Theneverendingyouline, with better improved talent from the band members. With that said, I should warn newcomers about the chaos that would occur. This offering is good for the experienced....

Favorites: "Wave Goodbye", "Bring It", "Nobody Takes Pictures of the Drummer", "For the Travelers", "Mudmonster"