Papa Roach Discusses Mental Health, Collaborations with Bring Me The Horizon, and Their Vision for the Next Album

Jacoby Shaddix Talks About New Material

Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach discussed the new material of the Border group, as well as their connection to the horizon and their commitment to raising awareness about mental health.

The frontman caught up with NME as Nu-Metal pioneers kicked off the European leg of their “Rise of the Roach Tour,” commemorating the 25th anniversary of their debut album from 2000, “Infest.” This tour will feature some of their largest shows, including a stop at the London OVO Wembley Arena.

In addition to hitting the road, the band also released their anthem “Even If It Kills Me,” which is their first new single since 2022, and is slated to be part of their upcoming album. According to Shaddix, the track draws inspiration from his son who has faced traumatic life challenges.

“It was like watching him walk through fire, and witnessing that ignited something in me,” Shaddix shared with NME. “I thought, ‘How do I guide him through this tragedy in his life?’”

“It’s tough to watch your loved ones struggle, and I aimed to convey that feeling in the song. I wanted to carry his pain, recognizing that while life can overwhelm us, it can also strengthen us.”

Check out the full interview with Shaddix below, where he discusses what fans can expect from the new album, his relationship with the horizon, the resurgence of nu-metal, and why Papa Roach is committed to improving mental health awareness.

Insights on New Music and Nu-Metal’s Revival

NME: Hi Jacobi. Why was “Even If It Kills Me” chosen as your first single of 2025?

Jacoby Shaddix: “We looked at the journey we’ve taken in recent years and what we captured in ‘Ego Trip’ (2022). We wanted to create a good continuation of our single ‘Leave the Light On (Conversation About Darkness),’ but we didn’t want to go in another ballad direction. So here we are.”

What’s your take on the sound of “Bring Me The Horizon”? Are you a fan?

“I love those guys! They are incredible, and I’m a big fan. It was amazing because we recently played at Roundhouse in London, and they came to see us! Lee (Malia, the guitarist) mentioned that Papa Roach was his first concert and one of the first bands he got into!”

“Hearing that we influenced them early on is great, and the nu-metal era has indeed inspired a new wave of bands that are putting their own spin on it. It’s really about artistic evolution, and it’s been 20 years! So, I’m happy to be associated with them—it’s a great honor!”

Does this song give us a glimpse into what to expect from the upcoming album?

“No song can truly encapsulate the complete sound of the Papa Roach album. We’re a rock band, but we love exploring diverse soundscapes. Our fans are excited to join us on this adventure, so it’s always interesting for us to enter the studio and see where the journey leads us.”

“There are several heavier tracks, and we decided to return to our roots with big, massive riffs. The revival of the nu-metal era is happening, and we wanted to celebrate that through our guitar work. Honestly, I’m currently focused on this tour and this single—behind the scenes, we’re steadily working on a new record.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pzfcrw_xbo

This year marks the 25th anniversary of your debut album ‘Infest.’ How do you feel about this album now?

“I still adore this album. I look back fondly, appreciating its raw simplicity. We weren’t reinventing the wheel, but we fit into the groove of what was happening in music at that time. It was a defining moment in my youth, discovering where I fit in the world, how I viewed myself, and what I battled with. This record genuinely reflects those experiences. There was honesty and purity.”

“Both then and now, performing these songs elicits strong reactions from fans. The response has always been massive, but we faced a lot of harsh criticism back then. We’ve never been a band that focuses on reviews, yet our first record received so many negative critiques that it broke my heart. Now, although I couldn’t appreciate it initially, it’s good to see the impact we have as we sell out Wembley Arena. I have enough now!”

What’s it like to see the original nu-metal scene approaching what is now recognized as ‘classic rock’?

“Let’s be honest, it is classic rock! It’s been 25 years since we released this album, and once your song is played on the radio for that long in America, it transitions to classic stations. I couldn’t have wished for anything more because that signifies a new level of success.”

“I’m still amazed by the resurgence we’re witnessing now. While we haven’t yet seen a full-blown 80s hair revival, we’re experiencing the return of nu-metal, bringing all its character back! It’s fantastic because this genre is filled with unique personalities—like (Chino) from Deftones is very different from Fred (Durst) from Limp Bizkit. The same goes for me and Jonathan (Davis) from Korn, as well as Serge (Tankian) and Daron (Malakian) from System of a Down… Every one of us is unique, and no one sounds identical. It’s crazy that we’ve all survived this era and are playing some of the biggest shows of our careers.”

Papa Roach is consistently working to raise awareness about mental health issues. Profits from “Leave the Light On (Talking About Darkness)” have gone to charities such as the AFSP to prevent suicide, and £1 from each ticket sold on their UK tour is donated to the mental health charity Calm. Why is this cause especially important to you?

“We have written about it since day one. Our first song, ‘Last Resort,’ was a cry for help. It has always been a part of our narrative and my personal life. I’ve had my highs and lows and have come to terms with my struggles. I understand darkness, and by placing it into my music, I connect with countless people.”

“Every day on tour, I meet someone who tells me, ‘Your music saved my life.’ That was never our intention, but as I became more open and honest in my songs, I realized I wasn’t alone in my struggles.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0lspntjpm8

“I sit here as a symbol of strength and hope, and that’s what I want to share with the world. I want to give back because fans have supported us for so many years. They’ve given me the opportunity to pursue this dream and continue to peel back the layers through this music. I started to understand my wounds better and simply want to do good.”

“I don’t want to drain people; I want to uplift and do the right thing.”

The understanding and awareness of mental health have certainly progressed compared to 25 years ago, but we live in an era dominated by social media, where it can be easier to feel isolated…

“This struggle has existed forever. Instead of speaking out, many of us have silently endured for years. Now, pop culture and media are recognizing that mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being. I would even argue that we are also dealing with a spiritual crisis in this world, but that’s another topic…”

“The battle with mental health is real. As you mentioned, the sense of isolation has heightened. Our devices make us feel more connected, but in reality, they often isolate us. As individuals, we must take responsibility and evaluate how much negativity we allow into our lives. For me, it was about asking, ‘What media am I consuming? Am I watching violent movies? Am I engaging with toxic content? If I fill my life with chaos, how can I expect my life to be great?’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e4us2lz87s

What does the future hold for Papa Roach?

“I’m excited because we’re on a tour that’s nearly sold out! We’ve been out long enough now to feel settled back on stage. We’ve had a couple of shows under our belt, and it feels great to be back in action.”

“We will continue to write music and tour, but I don’t want to overextend ourselves. I’ve done that too often in my life, where I just kept touring until I burnt out, so we’re learning to balance everything. We’re focusing on giving our all, then taking time to recharge—it’s crucial for my mental health and overall well-being.”

The Papa Roach tour continues into 2025. Click here for remaining tickets for the UK shows, and here for tickets to their international dates.

Help and Mental Health Tips

• “Am I in distress?” – Help and tips on mental health and what to do next
• MITC – a team of music industry therapists
• Tonic Rider – individual training and support for music industry professionals
• Help Musicians UK – 24/7 support for mental health and advice for musicians
• Music Support – assisting musicians battling addiction, alcoholism, or mental health issues
• Young Minds – advocating for the mental health and well-being of young people
• Calm – a campaign against suicide
• Samaritans – confidential support 24/7