Emerging Artist Reviews

EP Review: Broken Habit "Nightshade"

by The Metalverse

Updated March 26, 2026

Irish Metalcore band Broken Habit Press Photo - all members standing on a city street under red lighting

Irish metalcore act Broken Habit have just released their latest EP "Nightshade" on December 12th, 2025.

The EP bursts directly into action with the first track "Reign" introducing itself with slamming guitar chugs and bending notes as explosive drums and low screams create an instantly brutal sound. High guitar lead melodies soon join the fray as vocals shift between low growls and high screams, creating a dynamic sense of contrast. Clear metalcore influences can be heard right off the bat, but I also notice a lot of inspiration from death metal in Broken Habit's music as well. Halfway through "Reign" the band builds into a fierce breakdown as crushing chugging and vocals create a beat that will leave your head bobbing as the tempo continuously slows before ending with a final "bree".

Next is the title track, "Nightshade", which begins with a distorted female vocal sample that creates an eerie atmosphere before catapulting into raw screams and blistering guitar riffage. Broken Habit has a mix that sounds polished and modern but also feels almost nostalgic to 2000s death metal and metalcore acts, creating a sound that balances modern production with a sense of familiarity. "Nighshade" leads into a particularly brutal breakdown with downtempo chugs that remind me of deathcore before jumping back into the chorus featuring anthemic clean vocals and bright guitar harmonies that are contrasted by alternating screams.

"World Eater" begins with ringing guitar feedback as it quickly introduces bright metalcore dueling leads and rapid choppy chugging patterns, creating an upbeat pacing that is met by fast, screamed vocals. The song's chorus features raspy spoken-screamed vocals in a unique style before leading into a bridge that slams into a booming breakdown with an unhinged scream. At just over 5 minutes, "World Eater" is the longest song of the EP, keeping things interesting with 2 seperate breakdowns, the second of which grows more and more intense as eccentric screams create a brutal and off-the-wall sound that reminded me of acts like Paleface Swiss.

"Forevormore" starts with catchy guitar chords and distant singing before launching into a classic metalcore style galloping guitar riff that sets the tone for the track. Explosive screams are backed up by energetic guitar chords as singing and screaming vocals swap back and forth, creating a great sense of variety between the two styles.

The first two tracks, "Reign" and "Nighshade" stood out the most to me and I think that fans of extreme metal genres like death metal, deathcore, and metalcore will certainly enjoy the EP. You can stream Broken Habit's newest EP, "Nightshade" available on all platforms now.