Film Review: Puscifer's Concert Film Normal Isn’t: Live at the Pacific Stock Exchange

Puscifer released their concert film Normal Isn’t: Live at the Pacific Stock Exchange on February 9th, 2026.  Before its release for at home purchase and viewing, select brick and mortar vinyl shops offered free screening parties.  To my surprise, the town that I work in was hosting a screening party.  I love that they did this, as it was new information to me that the little town of Marion, Indiana even had a record store.  Not only was this fascinating, it was an amazing discovery for me. I’m sure that these free screening parties helped bring tons of other record stores into the limelight that they so very much deserve.

Upon entering Psychedelic Cellar, you are greeted with a set of stairs that takes you down into the basement where the record shop exists with a “speak easy” vibe.   At the bottom of the stairs, a mat reads, “Come as you are.”  Such a perfect saying for a record store.  Being a Nirvana fan since the age of 12, I knew that this record store was my type of place.  The store owner, Matt Wilson, happily greeted me.  You can check out the place on Saturdays 12-5pm. Go check it out on Instagram at @psychedeliccellar. 

As for the Puscifer concert film, it was a treat!  I had already listened to the new album multiple times by this point and had been falling more in love with it with each play.  This made seeing the live performance (filmed at Los Angeles’ original stock exchange- an art deco landmark, rumored to be one of the city’s most haunted locations) in the coolest record shop down in a cellar, feel like the show was actually right in front of our very eyes. 

The film begins by showing the completely new stage being set up in a timelapse fashion.  The setup was similar to the Sessanta setup in that it has the two levels with the stairs bilaterally.  They left out the chairlift, which was a comedic addition to support the celebration of Maynard’s 60th birthday for Sessanta.  There were many screens surrounding the perimeter with one big screen up above the stage.  The venue location was absolutely otherworldly.  It totally worked with the whole post-punk, 80’s goth feel and suited the theme of the new album.  To the lucky souls who got to be present for that concert, in real time, what a crazy experience that must have been? 

The light show of this performance was flashy.  It started with dark reds, went into blue and then blue blended into reds and greens.  The lights changed in color for each song.  The lighting progressively got better and better.  The colors were striking with just the right amount of fogging.  The new costumes, sleek and all black looked great with the colors.  Carina wore a red dress with gigantic puffy sleeves.   Fog can easily be overdone and interfere with photos and video.  In this case, it was beautifully executed. 

With Maynard’s classic dancing and Carina’s endless energetic performing, the live crowd, the record store attendees, and myself were all mesmerized.  The crowd in the live performance went absolutely feral with screams and applause when Carina came closer to the audience.  

Before they performed “Self Evident,” Maynard addresses the crowd, stating, “If you think this is about you, question your life choices!”  At one point between songs, the “reluctant host,” Maynard James Keenan, sits next to Bellendia Black (played by himself).  The character Bellendia was introduced with the “Pendulum” music video.  

The set continued with performances of “A Public Stoning,” “The Quiet Parts,” “Mantastic” among others.  During the “Mantastic” performance, I especially loved when Maynard was using the microphone stand as a barbell.  I also loved the way Carina and Maynard squared up with the microphone stands, almost as if they were about to have a duel.

Everything about this new album, including the new characters and costumes is such a genius-level work of art.  Maynard never ceases to amaze me with his seemingly endless successes and projects.  I hope that Maynard never loses his drive, his motivation and his desire to completely blow all of our minds.  Anything that he sets his mind to comes to fruition with total domination. He is truly inspirational.