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«Nightmare Tripping» is the fifth studio album by British rock band Don Broco, released on March 27, 2026, via SharpTone N«Nightmare Tripping» is the fifth studio album by British rock band Don Broco, released on March 27, 2026, via Fearless Records. This is the band’s first record since Amazing Things (2021) and, as intended by the musicians themselves, their heaviest work to date. The album consists of 11 tracks and runs for approximately 42 minutes.

A New, Heavier Don Broco

On Nightmare Tripping, Don Broco deliberately set aside the lighter, funkier, and playfulness of their previous material, opting instead for heavy down-tuned guitars, nu-metal, metalcore, electronics, and aggressive vocals. At the same time, the band’s signature contrasts haven’t gone anywhere: heavy verses can unexpectedly transition into huge melodic choruses, synthesizers into metallic breakdowns, and serious lyrics into almost absurd musical moments.

Conceptually, the album is tied to the feeling of night terrors and sleep paralysis—a state where a person doesn’t fully understand what is real and what is happening only in their mind. This idea is reflected not so much in the storylines of the songs, but in the music itself: the tracks constantly shift moods, moving from melodic, almost pop-like moments to sudden walls of heavy sound.

Key Tracks

• “Cellophane” — the album’s lead single, released back in July 2025. It served as the first signal of Don Broco’s new direction: heavy guitars and a powerful rhythm section pair with the band’s signature melodic vocals.
• “Disappear” — a more electronic track featuring a huge sing-along chorus. Here, the bridge between the old Don Broco and their new, heavier sound is particularly evident: synth lines and pop melodies remain, but they are surrounded by a much more massive instrumental.
• “Somersaults” — one of the tracks that recalls classic Don Broco. Its groove, melodic guitars, vocal harmonies, and emotional chorus make it a bridge between Amazing Things and the band’s new era.
• “Nightmare Tripping” — the title track featuring Nickelback. This is arguably the album’s most high-profile collaboration. Rob Damiani and Chad Kroeger share vocal duties on a track combining heavy riffs, electronic processing, screaming, and an incredibly infectious chorus. For some reviewers, this song demonstrates just how far Don Broco are willing to go in blending genres.
• “Ghost In The Night” — the main breather after the album’s heavy start. It is an expansive rock ballad with an atmospheric melody that lets Damiani’s vocals take center stage. Kerrang! highlighted the track as a necessary pause amidst the album’s overall sonic assault.
• “True Believers” featuring Sam Carter of Architects — one of the most aggressive tracks on the record. Here, Don Broco come closest to metalcore: screamed vocals, heavy breakdowns, and symphonic elements create a large-scale composition clearly designed for massive festival crowds.
• “Euphoria” — one of the most experimental tracks. Electronics, a heavy groove, and an almost danceable chorus create Don Broco’s characteristic clash of completely different styles. This track clearly highlights both the strong and controversial sides of the album.

Reception

Critical reaction to Nightmare Tripping has been generally positive, though far from unanimous.

Kerrang! gave the album 4/5, praising the band’s boldness and ability to constantly evolve. According to the publication, this is a darker, richer, and more ambitious Don Broco, with tracks like True Believers, Ghost In The Night, and Euphoria showcasing the band’s wide range.

Other reviewers also welcomed the diversity. When the Horn Blows notes that Don Broco can transition from R&B influences in Somersaults to nu-metal and electronic rock within minutes without losing their identity.

However, the excessive heaviness proved to be the main point of criticism. The Soundboard felt that massive nu-metal riffs often drown out Tom Doyle’s basslines, stripping the band of the agility and playfulness that was once their strong suit. In the author’s view, Don Broco have gotten heavier, but at the cost of losing part of their uniqueness.

Punktastic expressed a similar sentiment: while the darker, more serious material works, a significant portion of the lightness and quirkiness that set Don Broco apart from other British rock bands is missing.

Overall Summary

Nightmare Tripping is a deliberately heavier, darker, and more aggressive Don Broco, attempting to combine nu-metal and metalcore with synthesizers, pop melodies, and the band’s signature eccentricity. Its greatest strengths are boldness and variety: from Ghost In The Night to the crushing True Believers and the strange yet surprisingly catchy Nightmare Tripping featuring Nickelback. At the same time, the constant emphasis on heaviness occasionally makes the album less dynamic and distinct than the band’s best work.

Ultimately, it is an interesting reboot for Don Broco that may, however, divide longtime fans: listeners who favor the band’s heavier side will likely be satisfied, while those who loved the humor, funky grooves, and experimental lightness of early Don Broco might miss their old sound.

Who might like it: fans of Bring Me the Horizon, Architects, Enter Shikari, Bad Omens, Sleep Token, and modern nu-metal/alternative metal.