Worldwide Panic stand up to haters and detractors with their defiant new single and video Break Me Down — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The L.A. alt-metal outfit’s latest release is an anthem of resistance for anyone who’s ever refused to knuckle under to the forces of oppression. Fuelled by craggy guitar riffage, a walloping rhythm and world-class production from Bob Marlette (Airbourne, Saliva, Rob Zombie), the track rises to the battle with the help of frontman Lane Steele’s passionate vocals and a chorus that is nothing less than anthemic:
“You break me down, just to build me up again
A fucked-up cycle that will never end.”
Not surprisingly, it all comes from a very personal place. “The song — like almost all of our songs — has a rich backstory,” Steele says. “We were looking for producers to hire to work on this record we just now finished. We met with a famous producer at a multi-million-dollar studio. We were told that our material wasn’t good and ‘Where’s the hook?’ when it’s staring you in the face the whole time.
“We left and simply said to each other in the band at the time, ‘Why should we work with someone who wants to break us down, just to build us up again?’ And then the song was written within the next 48 hours. We recorded the song with a legend, Bob Marlette. He and his family poured their hearts and souls into this track. It helped make Worldwide Panic sound bigger than I could even imagine.”
Worldwide Panic formed in 2016 with the aim of writing heavy music with catchy hooks and personal, meaningful lyrics. Their songwriting focuses on a mix of clean and aggressive vocals and a guitar-driven sound. With influences that range from Rammstein to Rob Zombie and Disturbed, the band infuse their heavy alt-metal sound with an industrial tinge. They released an eponymous LP in early 2023. It was mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Shadows Fall, Hatebreed). The release made inroads at Active Rock Radio, charting with the singles I Tried and Falling Apart.
Worldwide Panic bring a theatrical experience to the stage. They have toured with Flaw, Smile Empty Soul, Hellzapoppin’, Mushroomhead and The Convalescence, among others. They have also done several headlining tours in the last five years. They recently completed their second album, again mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris. The LP is due in the first quarter of 2025, with tour dates being booked for late spring.
Watch the video for Break Me Down above, hear more from Worldwide Panic below, and find them on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
