I Will Not Break (song)

Last updated
"I Will Not Break"
Single by Disturbed
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2025
Recorded2024
Genre Nu metal
Length4:52
Label Mother Culture Records
Songwriters
Producer WZRD BLD
Disturbed singles chronology
"Glass Shatters (New Mix)"
(2025)		"I Will Not Break"
(2025)

"I Will Not Break" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It was released as a single on February 21, 2025, through the band's independent label, Mother Culture Records. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in April 2025.

Contents

Background and release

Disturbed first teased "I Will Not Break" on Instagram on February 19, 2025, sharing a few studio clips and a short preview. [1] The song premiered online the following day, February 20, 2025, as the band was preparing for a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Sickness . [2] It was officially released on February 21, 2025. [3] The single marked the first time the band released music on their own label, Mother Culture Records, and their first new music since Divisive . Consequence described the release as the beginning of a "new era" for the band. [4] It was the first single serving as the first preview of their upcoming ninth album, and more songs were expected before the full album release. [5] The band stated in a press release that the song was written as a message about resilience and personal strength. [6] They described the track as being about gaining strength against forces that try to hold one back. [7]

Composition

Consequence stated the lyrics are personal to David Draiman, addressing his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and remembering friends he lost. [4] Draiman stated the song was inspired by difficulties he experienced during the band's last tour, including his 2023 divorce, learning to raise his son as a single parent, and his reaction to the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the rise in antisemitism. [5]

"I Will Not Break" has been described as a nu-metal anthem. Lyrically, Revolver said the song was about pushing back and getting stronger. The track features Donegan's thick, low riffs, Wengren's pounding drums, and Draiman's aggressive vocal delivery. [8] The song was written and recorded in Los Angeles in fall 2024 by Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, and producer Drew Fulk. Donegan came up with the main riff on the spot and kept tweaking it until the band agreed on its final form. He revisited some old '90s demos and cassette tapes to recapture early Disturbed sound. The riff is new, but was written with the feel of early Disturbed in mind. The band completed the music first, with Draiman later adding lyrics and vocals. They intended the song as a lead-off track. [9] [10]

Draiman described it as a vengeance, comeback, and healing track. [11] Draiman also called it a power song about getting through hard times and not allowing adversity to overwhelm him. The song was one of the last they worked on, with the band providing a riff that had an old-school, rhythmic feel he could sing over. [12]

Writing for MetalSucks , Hesher Keenan stated the song sticks to Disturbed's familiar sound, with down-tuned riffs, straightforward rhythms, and Draiman's trademark vocals. [13]

Critical reception

Loudwire placed the song on their "51 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2025" list, noting its gritty, driving guitar riff and Draiman's raw, punchy vocals, and that it feels defiant and uplifting. [14] Wall of Sound stated the song feels like the band are back to their earlier sound, with a dark start, toned-down riffs, and rough-but-melodic verses that is reminiscent of their early stuff. The review also highlighted the song's catchy, early-2000s style. [15] Rich Hobson of Metal Hammer and Louder Sound stated the song has old-school elements with pulsing beats and Draiman's classic "Ah-Ah" vocals, feeling like their debut but with 25 years of experience. [16]

Chart performance

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on April 12, 2025, their thirteenth song to do so. The band moved into a three-way tie for the sixth-most No. 1 singles on the chart. [17] According to Mediabase, it was the second-most played song on rock radio in 2025. [18]

In other media

It was featured on the soundtrack for the video game NHL 26 , released by EA Sports on September 12, 2025. [19]

The song was used in the video package on the January 9, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown for the WWE Championship Three Stages of Hell match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. [20]

Personnel

Charts

References

  1. ↑ Huntress, Haela (February 19, 2025). "Disturbed Threaten New Song Due Out Friday Called "I Will Not Break"". MetalSucks . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  2. ↑ wookubus (February 20, 2025). "Disturbed's New Single "I Will Not Break" Premieres Online". ThePRP. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Disturbed To Release New Single 'I Will Not Break' This Friday". Blabbermouth . February 19, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Kaufman, Spencer (February 21, 2025). "Disturbed Unleash New Song "I Will Not Break"". Consequence . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Graff, Gary (February 24, 2025). "'We've Never Done Anything Like This': Disturbed Share What To Expect at 'The Sickness' 25th Anniversary Tour". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (February 21, 2025). "Disturbed Fans React to Band's New Song 'I Will Not Break'". Loudwire . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ Michels, Alexandra (February 21, 2025). "Disturbed - 'I Will Not Break'-Single enthüllt". RockHard (in German). Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ Adams, Gregory (February 21, 2025). "Hear Disturbed Rage on Nu-Metal Anthem "I Will Not Break"". Revolver . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ Blabbermouth (March 18, 2025). "Dan Donegan: 'We Have A Lot Of Stuff Recorded' For Next Disturbed Album". Blabbermouth . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (March 20, 2025). "Disturbed "have a lot of stuff recorded" for next album, reveals Dan Donegan". NME . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ Armstrong, Chuck (February 23, 2025). "David Draiman Says Disturbed Will Release 'Slew of New Material' Over the Next Two Years–'There's Definitely Some Surprises to Come'". Loudwire . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ Blabbermouth (February 25, 2025). "Disturbed's David Draiman: 'We've Got A Lot Of Amazing New Material We're Gonna Be Releasing'". Blabbermouth . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  13. ↑ Keenan, Hesher (February 21, 2025). "Disturbed Make Good on Their Threat and Release "I Will Not Break"". MetalSucks . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  14. ↑ Staff, Loudwire (December 2, 2025). "The 51 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2025". Loudwire . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  15. ↑ Aarons, Ricky (February 21, 2025). "Disturbed Delivers Best Song in Decades; Stream 'I Will Not Break'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  16. ↑ Hobson, Rich (February 21, 2025). "The 12 best new metal songs you need to hear right now". Metal Hammer . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (April 4, 2025). "Disturbed Scores 13th Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 With 'I Will Not Break'". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Childers, Chad (December 30, 2025). "The Most Played Songs on Rock Radio in 2025". Loudwire . Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  19. ↑ wookubus (September 4, 2025). "Disturbed, Turnstile, Spiritbox & More Featured On 'NHL 26' Soundtrack". ThePRP. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre - Three Stages of Hell WWE Title Match: SmackDown Hype Package". WWE . January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard Canada . May 31, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 28, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. February 28, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Year End Charts 2025: Canada Mainstream Rock". Billboard . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
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