Songs > N.G.R.I. (Bloodstain) > History


N.G.R.I. is a legal anagram for “not guilty by reason of insanity.” Say that someone is accused of murder, a lawyer could theoretically argue that their defendant is not guilty because they truly believed that their actions weren't wrong due to their mental illness. While the plea is not a guaranteed solution, if it is ruled by the judge that the defendant was in that unwell state, the defendant is acquitted on charges but often required to go through some sort of therapy or to a mental institution. Despite this dark subject matter, “N.G.R.I. (Bloodstain)” is one of the most upbeat songs on Paper Mâché Dream Balloon, with fast piano, groovy bass and hints of sitar. The song follows a quiet person who believes that they can summon demons in their room, although it's revealed that, outside of their daydreams, their room is covered in their own blood. Their only defense for such a scene is that they’re N.G.R.I., although they feel as if it's all normal, even calling it “mundane.” The song was released on Paper Mâché Dream Balloon on November 13th, 2015 and used in a promotional video for the ATO vinyl pressing. An instrumental version was later released as part of the deluxe edition of Paper Mâché Dream Balloon on October 29th, 2021.

“N.G.R.I. (Bloodstain)” has never been played live. In the band’s 2020 Reddit AMA, Stu mentioned that they may have rehearsed it at one point.

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