Dublin’s Broken Habit are part of a new wave of bands reworking nu-metal through a modern metalcore lens. Formed in 2019, the band began as a Linkin Park tribute before quickly evolving into something more personal and forward-facing. “We wanted to deliver a mixed take on nu-metal,” vocalist John O’Reilly explains to No Echo, “fusing crushing melodic metalcore riffs with emotionally charged, introspective lyricism.” With lineup changes over the years, the group is now completed by drummer Andrew Harvey and guitarists John Foley and Rob Stone.
That progression is fully realized on their latest EP, Nightshade (2025), a four-track release that pushes Broken Habit into darker and more refined territory. Recorded and mixed by Josh Sid Robinson at JSR Audio in Belfast, the EP leans heavily into themes of both internal and external struggle.
“The lyrical themes revolve around the pain and suffering the world feels to be in right now,” O’Reilly says, “and the toxicity that faces everyone every day.” Tracks like “Forevermore” dig even deeper, touching on themes such as ego death while maintaining the band’s balance between melody and heaviness:
Musically, Broken Habit draws from a wide spectrum—ranging from Poison the Well and Underoath to Soil, Parkway Drive, and The Ghost Inside—blending nu-metal grooves with metalcore-style riffing.
Back home, O’Reilly says the Emerald Isle's heavy music scene is in a strong place. “Ireland’s local scene is thriving,” he notes, pointing to bands like Survivalist, Carnyx, Worn Out, Hashmaker, and Whitethorrn as part of the country’s growing momentum.
Beyond the music, Broken Habit’s personality comes through in the details. The band’s members are self-described “big nerds,” often weaving subtle references to video games and anime into their songs—most notably recurring nods to Castlevania across their releases.
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Broken Habit on social media: Instagram
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