Don Broco: Nightmare Tripping
‘Nightmare Tripping’, Don Broco’s debut album with Fearless Records, is their heaviest release yet. The band showcase the signature sound they’ve built across their previous four albums while pushing their musical boundaries even further. Every track is high-energy and clearly designed for a live setting. The album also includes collaborations, such as the title track ‘Nightmare Tripping’ with Nickelback, marking the start of the fan-dubbed ‘Brocoback’, and ‘True Believers’, an explosive anthem featuring Sam Carter from Architects.
The opener, ‘Cellophane’, draws on nu-metal influences to deliver an electrifying start. Its stomping beat and emotional lyrics create a strong sense of togetherness, making it ideal for live shows. The song explores anxiety and the pressure to appear happy and in control, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Lead vocalist Rob Damiani captures this feeling in the suffocating line, “I’m breathing through cellophane”. Despite these pressures, the track reminds listeners that it’s always okay to ask for help, a message that feels especially important now.
‘Disappear’ highlights the emotional rollercoaster of supporting someone through a crisis. Don Broco show that it’s natural to question whether you’re doing enough while emphasising the importance of staying by the people you care about through both good and difficult times.
The title track, ‘Nightmare Tripping’, featuring Nickelback, is Don Broco’s most aggressive work to date. It explores the feeling of being trapped by a “paralysis demon”, blurring the line between dreams and reality. ‘True Believers’, featuring Sam Carter, carries a similar intensity. It’s tailor-made for anyone frustrated with the state of the world, it’s festival-ready and likely to become a fan favourite.
Driven by energetic lyrics and pounding drums, ‘Euphoria’ reflects the desire to recapture the thrill of experiencing something meaningful for the first time: “We got all fired up just like we used to”. While it acknowledges the temptation to chase past versions of ourselves, it ultimately encourages living in the present to find genuine happiness.
The swaggering 2025 single ‘Hype Man’ is a standout moment on the album. With crunchy guitars and emotional lyrics, it leans into a heavier, angrier sound. As the penultimate track, it explores the highs and lows of life in the music industry, including the burnout that comes with touring: “Yo, what you think? That I’m really gonna last these shows?” It also highlights the effort musicians put into the songs that stay with us and underscores the importance of a strong support system for maintaining mental health: “I don’t ever ever wanna see you sink so deep / Ain’t nobody doing any good at six feet deep.” Through these lyrics, Damiani reinforces the need to look out for loved ones, especially when they’re struggling.
Overall, ‘Nightmare Tripping’ is the Bedford quartet’s strongest album to date, highlighting their continued evolution and embrace of heavier sounds. Every track is emotionally charged and intense and it will be exciting to see how fans respond on their 2026 tour and beyond.