Behind The Tracks: In Shallows - Side Effects (Single) (2026)

“Side Effects” is about the quiet ways things go wrong when a solution ends up being part of the problem. It follows the slow drift of someone you care about, convinced they’re making things better, moving through that helpless space where consequences stack up, and control is out of reach.

The song focuses on the damage that builds, leaving the meaning open so listeners can decide what the cure is—and what it might be taking from them.

The track was shaped by the contrast between characters. Lyrically, we’re drawn to artists who leave room for interpretation, and outside of music, character-driven films and shows helped shape the emotional tone. That balance of chaos and restraint runs through the song with some other side effects.

The music video displays tension and the feeling of losing control while trying to hold on. We balance heaviness with space, leaving the story open so listeners can interpret it in their own way, while the visuals reflect the song’s themes of personal unraveling and psychological strain.

Bobby Wharton: This track captures everything In Shallows is about right now: raw emotion, intensity, and a crushing wall of sound. From the moment we finished the demo, we knew this was going to be a standout song for us. It came together quickly, with very little changing from demo to recording. We’ve also added it to our live set over the past few months, and the crowd’s reaction has made it clear that ‘Side Effects’ could become a favorite from our upcoming album.

Matt Pro: We didn’t want to repeat ourselves, and this was the first time we truly felt we’d step into the next chapter.

Colin Trombley: The song really hits in the second verse for me. I love the rhythm we came up with and was so hyped to track it after we demoed it at Bobby’s house.

Recording this track and most of the album was brutal with the studio hitting over 98 degrees and no AC. I ended up wearing an ice pouch vest and was swapping freezer packs just to get through the session. It was one for the books and maybe even made the song a little heavier thanks to the vest.

Support independent metal journalism — Visit the official BTC store