I Will Not Break (song)

"I Will Not Break"
Single by Disturbed
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2025
Recorded2024
GenreNu metal
Length4:52
LabelMother Culture
SongwriterDrew Fulk
ProducerWZRD 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.

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 served as the first preview of the band's upcoming ninth album, and more songs were expected before the full album release.[5] The band described the song as "a necessary song, about becoming stronger than the forces that constantly try to tear you down".[6][7]

Composition and lyrics

The lyrics are personal to singer David Draiman, addressing his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as friends he has 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]

Revolver described the song as a nu-metal anthem about pushing back and getting stronger, featuring Donegan's downtuned 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 Donegan, 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 old demos and cassette tapes from the 1990s to return to the band's early creative mindset. 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] He also called it a power song about getting through hard times and not allowing adversity to break him. The song was one of the last they worked on, with the band providing a riff with an old-school, head-bobbing rhythm he could sing over.[12]

Writing for MetalSucks, Hesher Keenan wrote that the song follows Disturbed's familiar sound, with downtuned riffs, radio-friendly rhythms, and Draiman's trademark vocal delivery.[13]

Critical reception

Loudwire placed the song on their "51 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2025" list, noting its driving, gritty guitar riff, Draiman's animalistic screeches and rhythmic vocals, and its defiant, uplifting message.[14] Wall of Sound wrote that the song recalls the band's early sound, with an ominous intro, dialled-down riffs and a gruff, melodic verse reminiscent of their early records. The review also described the song as catchy and said it doubles down on an early-2000s style.[15] Rich Hobson of Metal Hammer and Louder Sound stated the song features pulsing thumps and Draiman's "Ah-Ah" vocalisations, feeling like something from the band's debut, but delivered with the confidence and sleekness gained over 25 years.[16]

Track listing

I Will Not Break - by Disturbed Single[17][18]
No.TitleLength
1."I Will Not Break"4:52

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.[19] According to Mediabase, it was the second-most played song on rock radio in 2025.[20]

In other media

It was featured on the soundtrack for the video game NHL 26, released by EA Sports on September 12, 2025.[21]

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.[22]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[23]

Disturbed

Additional credits

  • Drew Fulk – producer, songwriter, mixing engineer, mastering engineer

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. ↑ "I Will Not Break - Single - Album by Disturbed - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ "I Will Not Break - Single by Disturbed - Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  19. 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.
  20. ↑ Childers, Chad (December 30, 2025). "The Most Played Songs on Rock Radio in 2025". Loudwire. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ wookubus (September 4, 2025). "Disturbed, Turnstile, Spiritbox & More Featured On 'NHL 26' Soundtrack". ThePRP. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre - Three Stages of Hell WWE Title Match: SmackDown Hype Package". WWE. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "I Will Not Break - Song by Disturbed". Apple Music.
  24. ↑ "Canada Mainstream Rock for the week of May 31, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  25. ↑ "EarOne Airplay Rock". EarOne. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. May 25, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  26. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 28, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. February 28, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Disturbed Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Year End Charts 2025: Canada Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
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