NEGATIVE BLISS - Everything Hurts and I'm Dying (Premiere)

Written by: The Administrator

​Here at ye olde Sleeping Village, we like to talk about Negative Bliss. Of the four tracks contained within the cathartic confines of their forthcoming debut EP, I've publicly discussed three: "The Good Life" was premiered, "Sun Stain"reviewed, and "The Lighthouse" got a little micro-review over on Twitter. If it's not apparent that I thoroughly enjoy what these genre-blending dads are doing, hopefully this writeup serve as yet another nail in the coffin that represents my desire to have Negative Bliss heard by as many people as possible.

​For the unfamiliar, Negative Bliss sit somewhere at the moody dynamic intersection of post-metal, hardcore, doom, and sludge. The sonic spectrum is quite expansive, and thus it is almost more useful to talk about the band in terms of their sheer emotional weight. This is profoundly emotive stuff, basking in gloomy somber grief, hazy melancholy, coiled frustration, and the eventual calm that dwells at the heart of acceptance. Everything Hurts and I'm Dying is thematically centered around the assorted coping mechanisms one develops to deal with life's inevitable traumas, be it grief, loss, entropy, or disillusionment. Hell, the title alone should serve as clear indication that we're openly dealing with some real-life shit here. Negative Bliss have carved themselves a corner that feels profoundly relatable. There's a certain comfort that comes from witnessing others dealing with the same old bullshit. Hearing these guys find a creative outlet through which to process trauma provides me with a vicarious sense of fulfillment.

We slumbering scribes are honored to premiere Everything Hurts and I'm Dying here today, a couple of days prior to the Nov. 1st release date! But before I scare you away with ceaseless blathering, please check out the Ampwall embed below. We'll meet you on the other side!

---

Let's talk about the tracks, shall we?

Of the four songs here, three have been available for some time, with track #2--the comparatively urgent and aggressive "Sunless Forever"--being the only song making it's first public appearance. Things kick off, though, with the stellar "The Lighthouse," which almost certainly represents my favorite Negative Bliss output to date. It is harrowing and depressing,  heartfelt and romantic. It moves comfortably between extremes, culminating in an extremely satisfying climax. Truly an epic song, by which I very literally mean "like unto an epic." There's a classic sense of tragic drama at play here, and the execution is pretty damn impeccable. Follow-up "Sunless Forever" brings a little additional oomph, leaning into a post-hardcore angst that seemingly crystalizes the moment slow-burn frustration ignites into true fury. The riffage is slammin' and, despite the sludgy weight, feels a little more technical. The guitarwork alongside Jon's roars contrast nicely with Steve's prettier cleans. 

Moving on, "The Good Life" represents a notable Negative Bliss ability to write music that benefits from repeat listens. I have heard this particular song many, many times over the year, and each time find something new to appreciate. Like everything else herein, "The Good Life" excels at motion. There is a constant ebb and flow between warm cleans, a vaguely blackened thrusting bite, and a doomy sense of expansive melancholic gloom. It is somber yet angry, moody yet at times wonderfully buoyant. An exceptional track. And last but not least, the EP closes on "Sun Stain," which is the first music from Negative Bliss that I heard, and hence the track that made me take great interest in the band's future. This is a perfect exercise in balance, and sums up quite nicely the elements demonstrated up to this point. As I said in my track review, "Sun Stain" demonstrates sludgy heft and a borderline bestial vocal truculence alongside more mellow breathable moments. I really enjoy the remastered edition--everything fits together very well and is consistently pleasant on the ear.

Everything Hurts and I'm Dying exudes a distinct dad energy, and I of course mean this in the most complimentary sense. Negative Bliss tackle facets of adult life that we all experience but seldom talk about, and as mentioned above, bearing witness to someone else's attempt at articulating a means to catharsis makes for a unique listening experience. My year in music feels framed by Negative Bliss, and I'm excited to see this full project come to fruition. Needless to say: I highly recommend that you give this one a buy and a listen.

Negative Bliss - Everything Hurts and I'm Dying will be released Nov. 1st, 2024

---

Negative Bliss can be found:
Website
Bandcamp
Ampwall