ONLY HUMAN are fresh to the prog space, but the Danish upstarts have already made a major discovery with their inventive debut album. While fueled by existential dread, Planned Obsolescence is built to last well into the future with its cutting-edge fusion of prog metal, hard rock and electronic soundscapes.
âCombining the two recent prog micro-genres (post-Tool and post-Periphery/TesseracT) with a clear love of various electronic styles, Planned Obsolescence actually sounds like it was designed to lastâ, New Noise writes. âThe riffs never overpower, the rhythms feel soothing and buoyant, and vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen employs his impressive range in a way that compliments rather than contrasts with the music. In short, this is prog for those who also like brevityâ.
âThis was an outstanding Progressive albumâ, Metal Temple writes in a 9/10 review, âand in many ways, it might point towards where the genre is headed for the futureâ.
Now, as they prepare to bring Planned Obsolescence to life at Sweden Rock Festival and other European stages, today, ONLY HUMAN are releasing a new performance video for the albumâs most hopeful song. Sparked by the bandâs creative synergy, âSteep Descentâ stakes their claim as a vital new force thatâs shaping prog metalâs future.
ââSteep Descentâ is an invitation to stare the universe in the eyes and demand meaning and purpose even when faced with assured destructionâ, ONLY HUMAN vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen says. âFrom the perspective of the cosmos, we are small but not so insignificant, so long as we choose not to be. We may have been granted the flame of existence, but itâs up to us to keep it aliveâ.
Watch the performance video for âSteep Descentâ on the ONLY HUMAN YouTube channel.
Planned Obsolescence is out now on Season of Mist.
Order & Stream
https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence
Available Formats
CD Digipack
12″ Vinyl Jacket (Black)
12″ Colored Vinyl (Transparent red with black and white splatters)
12″ Colored Vinyl (Transparent red and black marbled)
On their debut album, ONLY HUMANâs vision for the future mirrors our approaching dystopia. Much like the improvements promised by emerging technologies, âSteep Descentâ dazzles with complex drum patterns and sleek bass grooves before the chorus crashes under heavy down-tuned riffs. But while wrestling with technocracyâs increasingly hostile takeover, Planned Obsolescence isnât void of hope. Unlike the attempts of artificial intelligence, the bandâs multi-system command is the product of much care and hard work. They had to tinker with several different versions before âSteep Descentâ finally reached its climactic bridge.
âCast your flame beyond this bleak realityâ, Christensen beckons as dizzying synth melodies and a stellar guitar solo propel them into the next stratosphere.
Catch ONLY HUMAN live and in the flesh during their upcoming record release show, as well as at Sweden Rock Festival and Naestved Metalfest.
ONLY HUMAN Live in 2026
May 2 – Copenhagen, DK @ Rust (Record Release Show)
June 3-6 РȘlvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival
August 27-29 – Næstved, DK @ Næstved Metalfest
September 5 – Grindsted, DK @ Metalbox Festival
November 7 – Hjortshoj, DK @ Viruphuset (with Cold Night for Alligators)
The performance video for âSteep Descentâ was edited by Guillaume Blanjean and mixed and mastered by  Patrick Grønbæch Christensen.
More praise for ONLY HUMAN
âThis is a good prog set that is not overwhelming. Recommendedâ – Flying Fiddlesticks
â[â¦] Only Human present to the world their personal sonic manifesto through contemplative melodies and strong technical skillsâ – Offering Webzine
â{â¦] a debut album that feels both urgently contemporary and deeply rooted in Progressive Metalâs most intellectually ambitious traditionsâ – Prog Rock Journal
âItâs an album that demands, seduces and reverberatesâ – Ammo Underground
âThe verses are often airy and light, the vocals tender, and the choruses huge. While the commentary is scathing, it is not dread that I feel but hopeâ – Heavy Metal Philosophy
 |
|
