In a world where exhaustion is worn like a badge and burnout becomes a twisted form of routine, Milan-based rock outfit Endgame have found their muse in the madness. With their latest single ‘Habitual Burnout’, the four-piece dives headfirst into the chaos; fusing cinematic rock, warped synths, and trap-fuelled beats into a track that feels like both a breakdown and a breakthrough.
Formed by Matt (vocals), Ale (guitar), Bremb (bass), and Dani (drums), Endgame have carved out an identity built on emotional firepower, genre-blurring ambition, and the kind of honest, pressure-cooked storytelling that comes from living life on the edge of collapse. With over 6 million Spotify streams and viral singles like ‘Evil Ghost’, ‘The Hills’, and ‘Hurricane’, the band continues to rise as one of Europe’s most electrifying modern rock acts.
We caught up with Endgame to talk about making music on the brink, turning stress into art, and why ‘Habitual Burnout’ might just be the most honest thing they’ve ever made.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Our project actually started when we were 14 under a different name and playing a completely different genre. Three of us—Matt, Dani, and Ale—met at the same music school, and that’s where the foundation of the band began. Over the years, a lot has evolved. We started out playing pop-rock, but around 2016, our sound naturally shifted towards metal. Since then, we’ve been focused on carving out a unique identity and pushing the boundaries of our music. Bremb joined in 2017, completing our current lineup, and together we continue to explore and develop our sound.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
We all come from different musical backgrounds, which really shapes the unique sound of our band. Ale, our guitarist, started out with classic rock and metal legends like AC/DC and Metallica, and now he’s drawn to modern alt-metal acts like Smash Into Pieces and Bring Me the Horizon. Dani, our drummer, is heavily influenced by progressive rock, especially bands like Dream Theater. Matt, our frontman, brings a mix of influences outside of metal, from alt-metal to R&B and hip-hop, while Simo, our bassist, is deeply rooted in all corners of the metal scene. Coming together with these diverse tastes has been crucial in finding our direction and the result is a sound that’s truly a blend of all our influences.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
We like to think it’s in our DNA. Music has always been a shared passion, just expressed in different ways. For Matt and Dani, who are brothers, that love for music was part of their upbringing, it’s “family-injected,” you could say. Ale and Simo discovered music by falling in love with their instruments and finding their own path. It’s hard to explain exactly, but when music is something you know you’re meant to do, you just know.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
We actually have a pretty clear songwriting process, with Matt taking the lead as the main producer for the band. Once that’s in place, we all take the pieces and add our own personal touch, working on our respective instruments until we feel the song is ready to record. Often, especially with the guitars, we end up writing as we record, which gives us the freedom to follow our instincts and really let the song evolve naturally.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Honestly, we find inspiration just by living. After years of making music, we’ve learned to balance our own ideas with what resonates with listeners, roughly 80% our vision, 20% what we think people will connect with. We aim to create an experience that taps into deep emotions, exploring feelings in a metaphorical and thoughtful way. For us, it’s about going beneath the surface and connecting with listeners on a more conscious, emotional level.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
We’d like listeners to understand how important it is to acknowledge and talk about their feelings, both the good and the difficult ones. Being in touch with your emotions is fundamental to having a healthy relationship with yourself, and there’s no weakness in being aware of how you feel. Beyond that, we hope our music encourages people to embrace vulnerability, find strength in self-reflection, and connect with others through shared experiences. Ultimately, we want our songs to be a space where listeners feel understood, inspired, and reminded that emotions are a powerful part of being human.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Every day comes with its own set of challenges, especially since we handle so many aspects of the band ourselves, from writing and recording to promotion and connecting with fans. On top of that, the music industry today is incredibly competitive, and it can be difficult to know which path is the best to grow and reach new fans. Navigating this while staying true to our sound and vision is probably the toughest part. But at the same time, these challenges push us to be more creative, resilient, and resourceful, and they make the moments of progress and connection with fans even more rewarding.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
One of the most rewarding aspects of our journey has been the recognition and connection from our fans. We often receive messages like, “Why aren’t you bigger yet?”, and to us, that’s incredibly meaningful. It shows that people recognize the value of what we create, and that connection is far more important than numbers or chart positions. Knowing that our music resonates with someone, inspires them, or even just brightens their day, that’s the real reward. It reminds us why we do this and keeps us motivated to keep pushing our sound forward because there’re always real humans behind the numbers we see online.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
Staying true to ourselves comes down to knowing who we are and why we make music in the first place. We’re very aware of trends and how fast the industry evolves, but we never let that dictate our creative direction. Our focus is always on honesty, writing music that reflects our emotions, our experiences, and the mix of influences that defines us as a band. Because we’re deeply involved in every step of the process, from songwriting to production, we can protect our artistic vision while still evolving naturally. Growth is important, but it has to feel real and aligned with who we are, otherwise it doesn’t make sense for us.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Fans can definitely expect new music from us. We’re currently working on material that represents a clear step forward for our sound, both creatively and sonically. This phase of the project is fully dedicated to writing, refining, and pushing our music to the next level. At the same time, we’re actively planning live shows and aiming to get back on the road, with a strong focus on touring across Europe. One of our main goals is to perform as much as possible, ideally as a support act for artists within our genre, so we can bring our music to new audiences and build real connections through live performances.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
In five years, we see ourselves as a more established band, with a solid identity and a strong connection to our audience. We hope to have released multiple projects we’re truly proud of, toured extensively and shared the stage with artists we respect within our scene. More than anything, we want to keep growing creatively, reaching new fans, and continuing to make honest music that reflects who we are. As long as we’re evolving, staying true to ourselves, and connecting with people through our music, we’ll feel like we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
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Watch the new video for Endgame’s ‘Habitual Burnout’ below.
