Negative Bliss makes their mark with the debut EP, Everything Hurts and I’m Dying, releasing November 1st. The four-track project clocks in at just 24 minutes but dives deep into raw, intense themes of grief, loss, and disillusionment. Rendered through a unique blend of sludgy heaviness, hardcore energy, and delicate melody, the New Jersey band brings an immersive and cathartic sound that’s hard to shake.
The EP opens with a powerful surge with “The Lighthouse”. There’s a softness to the song before one is immediately pulled into a storm of guitar riffs and a blend of complex vocal styles. Balancing heavy with melodic moments, the guest vocals from Julian Meyer reveals the band’s more vulnerable side.
“Sunless Forever” takes on a darker and more intense feel, marked by ominous guitar tones from Paul Shryock and Steve Wiener (both also contribute vocals) and pulsing basslines from Jonathan Hernandez (also on vocals). Jonathan Meyer’s drumming anchors the track’s shifting tempos, creating a haunting landscape that feels as heavy as the themes it tackles.
The remastered track “The Good Life (Everything Hurts remix)” brings a potent mix of force and fragility, balancing punishing riffs with fleeting, softer moments. The song is a powerful reflection on life’s burdens, and the remix/remaster treatment breathes new depth into its atmosphere.
Closing out the EP is “Sun Stain (Everything Hurts remix),” where waves of feedback and reverb-laden guitars create an eerie and echoing space. The final track offers a mix of aggression and release, giving one a sense of catharsis as it fades out.
Everything Hurts and I’m Dying is a bold debut, blending intense heaviness with moments of melodic clarity. Each track invites one to confront the chaos and catharsis of facing life’s harshest realities.
