Curse of Existence
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Curse of Existence
| type = studio
| artist = Miss May I
| cover = MissMayICurseofExistence.jpeg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2022|09|02}}
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Metalcore
| length = 37:25
| label = SharpTone
| producer = Will Putney
| prev_title = Shadows Inside
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Curse of Existence
| type = Studio
| single1 = Unconquered
| single1date = March 9, 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/03/09/news/miss-may-i-premiere-unconquered-music-video/|title=Miss May I Premiere "Unconquered" Music Video|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=March 9, 2022}}
| single2 = Bleed Together
| single2date = May 25, 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/05/25/news/miss-may-i-premiere-bleed-together-music-video/|title=Miss May I Premiere "Bleed Together" Music Video|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=May 25, 2022}}
| single3 = Earth Shaker
| single3date = June 29, 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/06/29/news/miss-may-i-debut-new-track-earth-shaker/|title=Miss May I Debut New Track "Earth Shaker"|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=June 29, 2022}}
| single4 = Free Fall
| single4date = August 10, 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/08/10/news/miss-may-i-premiere-free-fall-music-video/|title=Miss May I Premiere "Free Fall" Video|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=August 10, 2022}}
}}
}}
Curse of Existence is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Miss May I. It was released on September 2, 2022, through SharpTone Records. It is the last album by the band to feature guitarists B.J. Stead and Justin Aufdemkampe, who both left the band on May 31, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/42904/miss-may-i-announce-the-departures-of-guitarists-bj-stead-justin-aufdemkampe/|title=Miss May I Announce The Departures of Guitarists B.J. Stead and Justin Aufdemkampe|publisher=LambGoat|access-date=May 31, 2024|date=May 31, 2024}} It was produced by Will Putney.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/05/24/news/miss-may-i-to-release-new-album-curse-of-existence-in-september/|title=Miss May I To Release New Album "Curse Of Existence" In September|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=May 24, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/36350/miss-may-i-announce-new-album-curse-of-existence/|title=Miss May I announce new album 'Curse of Existence'|magazine=Lambgoat|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=May 24, 2022}}
Background and recording
On October 6, 2020, Miss May I announced that they are working on new material for the forthcoming album.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2020/10/06/news/miss-may-i-recording-new-album/|title=Miss May I Recording New Album|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=October 6, 2020}} March 30, 2021, the band have concluded the recording sessions for their new album.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2021/03/30/news/miss-may-i-finish-recording-new-album-2/|title=Miss May I Finish Recording New Album|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=March 30, 2021}} On May 24, 2022, they revealed the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date.{{cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2022/05/25/miss-may-i-unleash-the-beast-in-bleed-together-from-new-album-curse-of-existence/|title=Miss May I Unleash The Beast in 'Bleed Together' from New Album "Curse of Existence"|publisher=Wall of Sound|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=May 25, 2022}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Distorted Sound
| rev2 = Rock 'N' Load
| rev3 = Wall of Sound
}}
The album received positive reviews from critics. Katie Bird of Distorted Sound scored the album 8 out of 10 and said: "Despite falling into the trappings of a slightly cliché ending, Miss May I have proved that the wait is worth it. They have improved upon their sound by delightfully mixing deathcore, melodic and clean vocals to make a unique take on the metalcore sound. This band have shown that they always have a new trick up their sleeve, and can still surprise fans to this day. This album was five years in the making, and it shows that Miss May I can still be unique in a genre that sometimes grows stale. Curse of Existence is one of the most interesting metalcore albums this year, and whilst it won't please everyone, it will be a great album for both newcomers and fans of the band."
Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Curse of Existence is ten songs full of emotion and intensity, a solid offering from Miss May I. This is their second album released on Sharptone Records and they've outdone themselves with this one; completely worth the wait." Wall of Sound gave the album a score 8/10 and saying: "So have Miss May I returned to Monument form with Curse of Existence? I think it is as close as they have been. The boys have got a bit more aggressive overall, the guitar riffage is a bit more furious, the chorus' are huge, and there is no shortage of gigantic breakdowns. The band certainly ain't breaking any new barriers but I think they've taken everything they've learnt over the years and put it together to create one hell of a modern metalcore album. I'll be spinning this one for a while!"
Track listing
Adapted from Apple Music.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/curse-of-existence/1622342508|title=Curse of Existence by Miss May I|website=Apple Music|access-date=January 11, 2023}}
{{Track listing
| title1 = A Smile That Does Not Exist
| length1 = 3:32
| title2 = Earth Shaker
| length2 = 3:23
| title3 = Bleed Together
| length3 = 4:30
| title4 = Into Oblivion
| length4 = 4:15
| title5 = Hollow Vessel
| length5 = 4:10
| title6 = Free Fall
| length6 = 3:18
| title7 = Born Destroyers
| length7 = 3:56
| title8 = Unconquered
| length8 = 3:35
| title9 = Savior of Self
| length9 = 3:10
| title10 = Bloodshed
| length10 = 3:32
| total_length = 37:25
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from Discogs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/25400257-Miss-May-I-Curse-Of-Existence|title=Miss May I Curse of Existence - Credits|work=Discogs|access-date=January 11, 2023}}
Miss May I
- Levi Benton – unclean vocals
- Ryan Neff – bass guitar, clean vocals
- B.J. Stead – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Justin Aufdemkampe – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, additional production
- Jerod Boyd – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
- Will Putney – production, engineering, mixing, mastering
- Nick Sampson – additional production, additional engineering
- Ben Johnson – additional production
- Steve Seid – additional engineering
- Jackie Andersen and Shawn Keith – A&R
- Jim Hughes – artwork, layout
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Miss May I}}
{{Authority control}}