Rising nu-metal artist INSITE made waves earlier this year when he debuted on American Idol whilst covering Korn’s “Freak on a Leash” and duetting Drowning Pool’s iconic “Bodies” single alongside contest judge, country icon and heavy-music fan Carrie Underwood. The performances blew minds when they started going viral online — though the Naples, Florida, resident says he was just as surprised when Underwood unexpectedly started growling beside him during his audition.
INSITE likewise didn’t even expect to ever pop up on the long-running talent contest show at all, explaining to Revolver that Idol producers came his way after seeing a handful of the garage-recorded covers he’d been posting on his Instagram profile since 2024. This included broodingly crooned takes on Alice in Chains — he later hit “Rooster” on Idol — and vocal tributes to TOOL, Chevelle, Nirvana, Limp Bizkit and more.
While the fledgling musician ended up getting cut from American Idol‘s latest season back in March, he’s grateful to have had the chance to scream his musical heroes’ songs for a television audience of millions. But now, it’s INSITE’s time to shine as an emerging original artist.
Earlier this month, INSITE delivered his debut single, “BREAKAWAY.” The booming number reflects a love of Korn-style grooves and ultra-anthemic, Linkin Park-esque choruses. Thematically, while the song is rooted in a “long-standing battle with depression,” according to INSITE, who hits the mic with a confident melodic intensity set on pushing past the pain. Ultimately, it’s a hopeful first look at where the solo artist is headed on his musical journey.
With Revolver now premiering the official lyric video for INSITE’s “BREAKAWAY” (see below), the young musician discusses how he ended up on TV, his unexpected Underwood collab and how he’s breaking away from IG covers to put his own spin on the nu-metal scene.
Can you tell us a little bit about your overall Idol experience, and why you opted to choose your Korn and Drowning Pool covers as a way to showcase and introduce yourself?
INSITE The whole experience was very unexpected. I never thought about auditioning until one of the casting directors reached out through Instagram. He told me he saw one of my Korn covers I had up and that I should audition with that kind of music.
After going through numerous Zoom auditions and interviews I finally got word that I’d be auditioning in front of the judges. Even though they told me to come and do some Korn, I didn’t actually expect to do “Bodies” as it was my backup song. But when they asked me, I was more than happy to perform that song with Carrie Underwood. The whole experience was super surreal. Even though it was short, it was something I will be forever grateful for.
How far along were you with the making of “BREAKAWAY” when you made your Idol audition?
“BREAKAWAY” was still in the works during American Idol — the backing track was mediocre and the lyrics were sloppy. I knew the song had huge potential, but I also knew it would take a lot of revision for it to be where I wanted it to be.
Had you thought about performing an original song like “BREAKAWAY” for the Idol judges?
I think doing such iconic songs as “Freak on a Leash” and Bodies” was what helped make my audition go viral. And without the performance of “Bodies,” I don’t think Carrie would’ve come up and performed with me, which I think really helped me gain the attention of metal fans as well as Carrie Underwood fans.
I would have loved to do an original song, and my plan was to do a wider variety of genres as well as original music the further I progressed in the show. Obviously, I didn’t have the chance to do that as I only got to do two total performances. Nonetheless, it was dope.
What was it like singing alongside Carrie Underwood?
To be honest, performing with Carrie was completely unexpected, and I remember having no clue what was happening [at the time]. I didn’t know if she was coming up to do it with me or to rock out, so I just decided that I was going to do the song how I would typically do it and kind of gauge what she was doing and play along with it.
What would you think about hitting “BREAKAWAY” together onstage someday?
Although I have no way to contact Carrie, I’d hope she can hear it someday. And [that one day] I can collaborate with her. I feel she was rooting for me the most on the show.
How did you first come around to nu-metal music?
The first heavy bands I started listening to were Slipknot, Metallica and Alice in Chains.
But one day my dad was in my room while I was watching YouTube. He looked at my computer and saw that Korn’s “Freak on a Leash” was up next in the playlist was, and asked me if I knew who that was. I said no, [but] he told me Korn was the shit, so I went and watched it and the rest is history.
After that I went through a huge Korn phase. I would come home from school and watch live videos of Korn for hours. I listened to every single one of their songs, and their music helped me get into heavier music. I wouldn’t be doing what I do today if I wasn’t so inspired by Korn.
You’d been posting your vocal covers on Instagram for some time, but have now come through with your debut original single, “BREAKAWAY.” That’s a fitting title for the pivot! How has it been for you so far to switch the focus onto making original music?
The vocal covers are what has helped me have the platform to make original music. I still enjoy posting covers as a means to satisfy my fans who have been watching since the beginning — but the main focus for me was always making original music.
I never wanted to settle for less, and “BREAKAWAY” is the first song I’ve made that I feel is worthy of being a single. I plan on making a bunch of music in the near future and eventually be able to tour and share my music with the world, but for now I’m focusing on perfecting my craft and making sure everything I do is my best work.
“BREAKAWAY” took me months to complete — and it took many revisions — but I think the final product is fucking dope. I couldn’t be more happy with it. The new songs I’ve been working on behind the scenes [are also] really dope, and I think once [they’re] out it’s going to be massive.
This interview has been edited and condensed for flow and clarity.