Zahna | Credit Adrienne Beacco
The 10-track record follows 2023’s Stronger Than Deathand turns survival, grief, fractured relationships and faith into Zahna’s next heavy rock chapter.
Zahna has released her third full-length studio album, Break or Breakthrough, through XOVR Records, marking her first complete album with the label founded by Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch.
Released September 4, the 10-track record follows Zahna’s 2023 album Stronger Than Death. While that project was heavily informed by her near-terminal battle with kidney failure and subsequent transplant, Break or Breakthroughexamines what came afterward — the difficult process of rebuilding when surviving the immediate crisis does not resolve everything surrounding it.
The years that followed brought Zahna pandemic isolation, medical bills and financial strain, lost career momentum, family grief, betrayal and damaged relationships, along with challenges to her faith. Those experiences form the foundation of an album that moves between hard rock, metalcore and darker pop elements while addressing anger, forgiveness, grief, love and recovery.
“Two years of work, thousands of lessons, and one great adventure culminated into this moment,” Zahna said of completing the record. “‘Break or Breakthrough’ will always be the stone in the slingshot. I can’t wait to see the ceilings it will shatter, and the walls it will bring down.”
Break or Breakthrough was produced and mixed by Kellen McGregor of Memphis May Fire. Cory Brunnemann of Through Arteries contributed co-writing and served as associate producer, while Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound handled mastering.
Zahna’s husband, Patrick Madsen, performs drums across the record, adding another personal dimension to an album already closely tied to the couple’s experiences.
Several songs were introduced ahead of the full album and provided different windows into its central themes. “Defiler,” featuring Welch, addresses spiritual corruption, while “The Archer” centers on truth, justice and accountability. The title track shifts the conflict toward a damaged relationship and the roles vulnerability, humility, grace and forgiveness can play in repairing it.
“Love & Loss” carries a particularly personal connection. Zahna wrote the song following the sudden death of her father-in-law, who had been an important musical mentor to both Zahna and Madsen. The track examines grief and the questions that emerge when a significant loss disrupts deeply held beliefs and a sense of stability.
Welch, whose XOVR Records is releasing the album, reflected on the challenges Zahna and her team encountered during its creation.
“We are so happy for Zahna as she finally releases Break or Breakthrough to the world! This isn’t just another album title. Zahna and her team literally lived through it,” Welch said.
He added, “While facing so many obstacles, heartbreaks, and difficult moments while putting this album together, Zahna had every reason to break to pieces and give up. Instead, she chose to push through the pain and turn it into something powerful.”
The album also arrives as Zahna continues expanding her presence within active rock. According to information accompanying the release, “Defiler” received support from SiriusXM Octane, Music Choice, HardDrive Radio and terrestrial radio stations, remained on the active rock chart for more than a month and reached the Top 20 on SiriusXM Octane.
Zahna has accumulated more than 20 million streams across her music. Before beginning her solo career with Red For War, she was the vocalist for alternative rock band ILIA. Her subsequent work, including Stronger Than Death and now Break or Breakthrough, has increasingly drawn directly from her experiences with illness, faith, relationships and recovery.
With Break or Breakthrough, Zahna moves the narrative beyond surviving a life-threatening medical crisis and toward a different question: what happens once survival gives way to the work of living again?
Album Information
Zahna — Break or Breakthrough
Release Date: September 4, 2026
Label: XOVR Records
Produced and Mixed By: Kellen McGregor
Co-Writing/Associate Production: Cory Brunnemann
Mastering: Ted Jensen, Sterling Sound
Drums: Patrick Madsen
Track Listing
True Enemy
R8GE!
DOM1N8
DRAG YOU
Love & Loss
The Pyre
Defiler
Break or Breakthrough
The Archer
The Way It Feels
Leave a Reply