Harmful was originally a trio, founded in 1992 by members Aren Emirze, Chris Aidonopoulos and Nico Heimann. Their 2007 album 7 was produced by former Faith No More bassist and record producer Billy Gould who subsequently joined the band as a fourth member.
Album discography:
* 1995: Harmful (BluNoise)
* 1997: Apoplexy.136 (BluNoise)
* 2000: Counterbalance (Firestarter/BMG)
* 2001: Wromantic (Firestarter/BMG)
* 2003: Sanguine (Steamhammer/SPV)
* 2005: Sis Masis (Nois-o-Lution)
* 2007: 7 (Nois-o-Lution)
* 2010: Cause (PIAS)
Apoplexy.136
Harmful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A well groomed appearance provides your nasty things for pleasure The flight into a passion is still to come...
Well known as the stabbing outburst
Larger hearted... largest hearted... more large hearted - Apoplexy
Man about town leaves his creative urge Condition: extremely senile The fall into oblivion so absent - minded
Larger hearted... largest hearted... more large hearted - Apoplexy... is still to come
The lyrics to Harmful's song Apoplexy seem to be describing the descent of an individual into a state of numbness and apathy. The first line, "condition: cold and expressionless," suggests that this person has lost their emotional sensitivity and ability to connect with others. The second line, "put the question of confidence," could be interpreted as the individual questioning their own self-worth and purpose.
The following lines reference a "well groomed appearance" providing "nasty things for pleasure," which could suggest that this numbness and detachment has led the person to seek out negative or harmful experiences in order to feel anything at all. The lines "the flight into a passion is still to come" and "the fall into oblivion so absent-minded" both suggest that this individual is heading towards a complete breakdown or loss of identity.
The repeated line "larger hearted... largest hearted... more large hearted - apoplexy" could be seen as a commentary on the paradoxical nature of this individual's descent into numbness - even as they lose their ability to feel emotions, their heart becomes increasingly "large" or expansive.
Line by Line Meaning
Condtition: cold and expressionless
Existing with a lack of emotion or warmth
Put the question of confidence
Challenge the level of certainty
Stretch out, extend... straight to the limit
Push to the furthest possible point
A well groomed appearance provides your nasty things for pleasure
Presenting oneself as refined enables the indulgence of perverse desires
The flight into a passion is still to come...
The intense emotional reaction has yet to occur
Well known as the stabbing outburst
Famous for sudden, severe attacks
Larger hearted... largest hearted... more large hearted - Apoplexy
Increasingly capable of violent rage - Apoplexy
Man about town leaves his creative urge
The suave and social gentlemen suppresses their artistic drive
Condition: extremely senile
State of being severely mentally deteriorated with age
The fall into oblivion so absent - minded
The decline into nothingness occurring amidst a lack of awareness
Larger hearted... largest hearted... more large hearted - Apoplexy... is still to come
Increasing level of capability for violent rage has yet to fully manifest - Apoplexy
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.