"Kill the Noise" is a song by American rock band Papa Roach. It is the lead single and first track from their eleventh album Ego Trip. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in November 2021.
Background and release The single was released alongside an official music video on September 9, 2021. Shaddix said the song is about dealing with mental "static" and finding moments of calm amid inner noise. The track was produced by WZRD BLD (Drew Fulk) and Andrew Goldstein. It followed the band's previous single, "Swerve". The music video, directed by Jacoby Shaddix's brother Bryson Roatch, features a raw and energetic performance depicting a journey of escaping the confines of one's own mind. The band described the song as "probably our hardest rocking new song in four years". In December 2021, they announced the first leg of their 2022 North American "Kill the Noise" tour, which shared its name with the single. Shaddix noted that the single had seen "a ton of success".
Composition and lyrics Lyrically, the song deals with mental struggles and anxieties. Blabbermouth described it as featuring heavy riffs and emotional lyrics. According to Wall of Sound, the track features bouncy beats, crushing guitars, an anthemic chorus, and an angsty "shut-up" vocal scream, giving the song Linkin Park vibes. Shaddix described the song as "heavy music catharsis" and "a reminder to find that moment of peace from the noise". Metal Hammer noted the guitars' "nu metal bounce" on the track.
Reception Chad Childers of Loudwire suggested that Shaddix's "shut up" in the song could stand alongside "One Step Closer". Sputnikmusic criticized the song's "mind-numbingly simple riff" and chorus for "shamelessly copying" "Teardrops", but considered it one of the album's more listenable tracks. Megan Jenkins of Distorted Sound described the track as a strong opener, citing its "screaming whammy guitar riff", clapping beats, and "modern metal techniques and melody styles". Katie Conway-Flood of Gigwise called the song a "killer" opener, describing its heavy guitar work, "soaring choruses", prominent breakdown, and "lyrics that cut deep", and suggested that it was perhaps the first taste of Papa Roach doing heavy since 2015. Steve Beebee of Kerrang! said the track combines heaviness and melody, calling it one of the album's "instant hits... jostling for attention." Wall of Sound described the song as a "straight up rock" track.
Track listing
Chart performance It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on November 20, 2021, their seventh song to do so. It was their second No. 1 on the chart for 2021, making it the first time that they had two No. 1's in the same year.
Personnel Credits adapted from Apple Music.
Jacoby Shaddix – vocals, songwriter Tobin Esperance – bass, songwriter Anthony Esperance – guitar, songwriter Jerry Horton – guitar Tony Palermo – drums
Production Andrew Goldstein – songwriter, producer Drew Fulk – songwriter, producer
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Kill the Noise" Chart (2021–2022) Peakposition Canada Rock (Billboard)22US Mainstream Rock Airplay (Billboard) 1
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for "Kill the Noise" Chart (2022) Position US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard) 22 US Mainstream Rock Airplay (Billboard) 19
References