| "Braindead" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Papa Roach featuring Toby Morse | ||||
| Released | June 25, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2025 | |||
| Genre | Rap metal | |||
| Length | 3:11 | |||
| Label | New Noize | |||
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| Papa Roachsingles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Braindead" on YouTube | ||||
"Braindead" is a song by American rock band Papa Roach featuring guest vocals from Toby Morse of the hardcore punk band H2O. It was released on June 25, 2025, through New Noize. [2] The single reached number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in October 2025, marking the band's twelfth chart-topping single on that chart. [3]
Papa Roach announced "Braindead" on June 24, 2025, and released the single the following day. Morse said he had known Jacoby Shaddix for more than twenty years, praised his sobriety and work ethic, and described contributing to the song as "a true honor". [2] Blabbermouth, Rock Sound, and Kerrang! highlighted the track as a high-energy collaboration that coincided with the band's twenty-fifth anniversary and featured the addition of Toby Morse's vocals. [4] [5]
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix described the song as "urgent, honest, and in your face", stating that bringing Toby Morse into the project "took it to the next level" and framing the track as "a call to wake up before it's too late". Morse added that both artists share a "one life, one chance" ethos reflected in the song's lyrics. [2] [4] [5]
Blabbermouth described "Braindead" as a high-energy track blending Papa Roach's intensity with Morse's punk-leaning vocal style. The publication noted themes of urgency and personal responsibility, referencing lyrics such as "You've got one life, one chance, one shot, I don't wanna waste it like I'm feeling braindead". [2] Rock Sound and Kerrang! characterized the song as a forceful, high-octane release with an emphatic, forward-driven message. [4] [5] According to Revolver, the release of the rap-metal-heavy single was followed by an intense music video, described as overloading the viewer's "gray matter". [6]
A lyric video for "Braindead" was released on June 25, 2025. [2] The full music video premiered on August 1, 2025, following teasers in late July. The video depicts Jacoby Shaddix detained in an institution, subjected to rough handling by guards, strapped to tables, and attempting to escape. It also features performance sequences in a padded cell and a cameo by Toby Morse, who described the shoot as his "first acting debut". [6] According to the official music video page, this video serves as a prequel to "Even If It Kills Me" from the band's forthcoming twelfth album.
"Braindead" rose to number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart dated October 4, 2025, becoming Papa Roach's twelfth leader on that chart. [3]
The October 2025 chart placement gave Papa Roach sole possession of the tenth-most number-one singles in the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart's history, moving them ahead of Volbeat. For Morse, "Braindead" marked his first solo credited leader on a Billboard chart. [3]
Credits [1] adapted from Apple Music.
Papa Roach
Additional musician
Production
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Rock & Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [7] | 7 |
| Germany Airplay ( TopHit ) [8] | 63 |