Afterlife is stepping back into the spotlight with “Bad Habits,” a track that doesn’t ease you in so much as it throws you straight into the tension they’ve been building behind the scenes, a release that feels urgent, messy in the right ways, and fully aware of what it’s trying to say.
The new single lands with a video that leans into that same energy, glitchy, chaotic, and performance driven, letting the band sit right in the middle of the storm instead of trying to clean it up, which ends up making the whole thing hit harder. It’s not just visual noise either, it mirrors the theme of the song, the push and pull between knowing something is wrong and still not being able to break away from it.
Levenson puts it plainly when talking about the meaning behind “Bad Habits,” explaining that it centers on recognizing how certain behaviors and vices start affecting the people around you, even when you try to ignore it. That tension between denial and self awareness runs through the entire track, turning what could have been a straightforward heavy single into something that actually feels personal, almost like a conversation you weren’t supposed to overhear.
There’s a moment in the second verse that really locks that in, where the delivery tightens up and the lyrics lean into that internal struggle, describing the feeling of putting on a front while trying to escape something that keeps following you. That kind of detail separates this from just another heavy drop. You can hear where the emotion is coming from, and it does not feel forced.
Watch Afterlife’s new music video for “Bad Habits” below:
A Song That Feels Like It’s Unraveling In Real Time
“Bad Habits” works because it never tries to fully resolve itself. The song sits in that uncomfortable space where you know something needs to change, but you are not quite there yet, and that honesty carries the entire track forward. The production leans into that as well, letting moments feel slightly off balance without losing control, which gives the song a kind of edge that sticks with you after it ends.
This is the kind of release that reminds you why Afterlife has been steadily building momentum over the years, they are not chasing trends as much as they are refining their own lane. Afterlife is often pulling from the influences that shaped them early on while still pushing forward.
From Early Momentum To Festival Stages
Afterlife’s foundation goes back to when the lineup solidified in the late 2010s, with shared influences like Slipknot, Linkin Park, and Papa Roach shaping their direction. That early chemistry showed up quickly with the release of their Vicious Cycle EP, which immediately translated into real world energy when they sold out their first headline show tied to the project.
From there, things started moving fast. Working with producer Zakk Cervini, the band released their debut album, Breaking Point, in 2019, setting a tone that would carry into their next phase. By the time Part of Me arrived in 2021, they had already started expanding their reach, both in sound and in audience.
That growth has been backed up on the road too, with the band sharing stages alongside acts like Ice Nine Kills, From Ashes To New, and Crown The Empire, while also landing spots on major festival lineups across the country. From appearances at Welcome To Rockville to runs through Louder Than Life and Inkcarceration, they have been putting in the work where it matters most.
The Momentum Behind The Moment
A big turning point came with “Bleed You Dry” in 2024. This release found its way into heavy rotation online and quickly built real traction, racking up millions of streams while becoming a staple in their live sets. It was the kind of breakout moment that felt earned, not manufactured, and it set the stage for what is happening now.
That momentum carried into 2025 when the band signed with Mascot Records, a move that gave them a wider platform without taking away from what made them connect in the first place. Soon after, they headed back into the studio with producers Zach Jones and Austin Coupe to continue shaping the next phase of their sound.
Now, with “Bad Habits” out in the world and another appearance lined up at Welcome To Rockville this May, Afterlife are stepping into a moment that feels bigger than just a single release. There is a sense that everything they have been building is starting to connect, not all at once, but in a way that feels steady and real. “Bad Habits” does not try to clean things up or offer an answer. It sits right in the middle of the mess, letting you feel it, and that might be exactly why it works.
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