"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.
The single was released alongside an official music video on September 9, 2021 to promote Ego Trip. 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".
Lyrically, the song deals with mental struggles and anxieties. It features heavy guitar riffs and emotional lyrics. The track includes bouncy beats, heavy guitar riffs, and a prominent chorus, with Shaddix performing vocal screams associated with nu-metal. Shaddix described the track as a heavy song intended to provide a sense of catharsis and mental release. Metal Hammer noted the guitars having a "nu metal bounce" on the song.
Chad Childers of Loudwire suggested that Shaddix's "Shut up" in the song could stand alongside "One Step Closer", and called the accompanying music video chaotic. A review from Sputnikmusic noted that while the song is built around a straightforward riff and a chorus reminiscent of "Teardrops", it was among the more listenable tracks on the album. Megan Jenkins of Distorted Sound described the track as a strong opener, pointing to its loud guitar riff, clapping beats, and more modern metal touches. Katie Conway-Flood of Gigwise called the song a killer opener, highlighting its heavy guitar work, soaring choruses, prominent breakdown, and emotionally charged lyrics, suggesting it may be their heaviest material since 2015. Steve Beebee of Kerrang! said the track mixes heavy parts with melodic elements and called it one of the "instant hits...jostling for attention" on the album. Wall of Sound said that it is a straight-up rock song, noting its high-energy performance and vocal delivery with Linkin Park-like intensity.
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.
Credits adapted from Apple Music.
Production