Negative Zen is: Joe Langley, bass (left) and David Van Pelt, guitar/vocals (right)
The rough spun nature of Post Grunge and gritty 2000s rock was so pungent that the only way to have savored it, was to put it out.
Or so you may think.
It’s very possible that the last time you heard a tune in 2026 that took you straight back to 2005 was well.. never. Until now. Negative Zen, based in Ohio, reaches the listener through what can only be described as a full blown hard rock experience.
Founded by singer, guitarist and writer David Van Pelt and rounded out by bassist Joe Langley, Negative Zen is a project that manages to encapsulate the same attitude that drove so many bands straight to the top nearly 20 years ago. The raw, tangible and rough elements that created the magical era of 2000s rock are back in the big 2026, but in an even better way, and Negative Zen has the talent to showcase it.
Negative Zen is an alternative rock/grunge band from Northeast Ohio (Youngstown/Cleveland) formed by vocalist and guitarist David Van Pelt and bassist Joe Langley. Pulling influence from 90s grunge and 2000s rock and metal such as, Alice In Chains, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters, Shinedown, Failure, and Superheaven.
Negative Zen has toured the underground scene with standout performances in cities including New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, and Pittsburgh, building momentum by getting their foot in the hardcore scene, sharing heavier bills, and maintaining a DIY spirit through high energy live performances.
After 2025’s “Lucky To Have Met You”, Negative Zen comes back swinging more than a year later with yet another heavy hitter drenched in the gritty magnetism of the early 2000s, “Despite All These Things”.
ArrivingJune 26th, Despite All These Things is a release you don’t want to miss. Following their trek into the hard rock jungle of today, Negative Zen is set to release an EP later in the year. Despite All These Things will be featured in the future release.
When speaking with David Van Pelt regarding the upcoming release and future EP release, this is what he had to say.
“We have an EP coming out in September and I’m really exited to get that out and go and travel back to some of these cities we’ve been playing in these past few years and a couple new ones”
