Nuclear Blast Records is proud to announce the launch of RIFFS & REALMS, a brand new Actual Play Tabletop RPG series drenched in chaos, blood and destruction.
The first season titled Vaults Of Unfaith is produced in direct collaboration with MÖRK BORG and brings together the worlds of extreme music and tabletop role-playing like never before.
Watch the first episode here:
The series is helmed by Johan Nohr (MÖRK BORG) as Game Master, with story and graphic design also by Nohr. Commenting on the series Johan says, “It was an absolute riot running Vaults with these guys, all at their characters’ expense, of course. Depraved, violent and grim in a pretty spectacular way”.
RIFFS & REALMS players include: Brady Deeprose (Conjurer) Joseph Ghast (Green Lung) Yannis Papadopoulos (Beast In Black)
Together they descend into the apocalyptic hellscape of MÖRK BORG, where faith rots, kingdoms crumble and survival is never guaranteed.
“A hilarious and horrid crawl through the dankest of dungeons thanks to NB and Johan at MÖRK BORG. I can only hope it’s as fun to watch as it was to roll dice with my fellow reprobates!” – Joseph Ghast, Green Lung
Each episode is underscored by a crushing soundtrack featuring music from Nuclear Blast bands including: Kreator, Oranssi Pazuzu, Green Lung and Conjurer.
With a blend of doom-laden storytelling, live tabletop play and an uncompromising metal soundtrack, RIFFS & REALMS is a ritual invocation for fans of role-playing games, extreme music and utter devastation.
ABOUT MÖRK BORG MÖRK BORG is a pitch-black apocalyptic fantasy RPG about lost souls and fools seeking redemption, forgiveness or the last remaining riches in a bleak and dying world. “A doom metal album of a game”, they are the perfect first collaborator for the Riffs & Realms series. Vaults of Unfaith was written by Johan and published shortly after the release of MÖRK BORG. It was part of a zine called Dissident Whispers, made by a collective of game designers, where all the proceeds went to bail funds during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The version played in Riffs & Realms is an expanded upon version that may see a release in the future, along with the updated art that Johan made for the series.
MÖRK BORG is constructed by Pelle Nilsson (Ockult Örtmästare Games) and Johan Nohr (Stockholm Kartell). The game is published by Free League Publishing.
ABOUT NUCLEAR BLAST For 39 years and counting, Nuclear Blast Records is synonymous with the worldwide advancement of heavy music. Founded in Germany in 1987, Nuclear Blast‘s deep-rooted passion for the scene and culture, combined with an international presence, have helped build the label’s trusted global reputation with numerous album chart entries, high-profile tours, and continual signings of new and heritage acts.
Legendary metal pioneers SEPULTURAhave announced their final ‘Celebrating Life Through Death‘ North American tour, marking the end of an era. After more than 4 decades, 14 gold records, and tours across 80 countries and diverse cultures, SEPULTURA has become one of the most influential metal bands of our time, serving as Brazil’s emissary to the rest of the world.
Hailing from Belo Horizonte, the quartet will spread Brazil’s colours and rhythms for a final time. This farewell run will feature an explosive lineup, including special guests, Thrash legends EXODUS, hardcore heavyweights BIOHAZARD, and newcomers TRIBAL GAZE, promising a powerful celebration across North America.
Kicking off on April 29 in Montclair, NJ, the ‘Celebrating Life Through Death‘ tour will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, before concluding on May 29 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Along the way, Sepultura will also perform at major festivals, including Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple.
Tickets will go on sale on January 23rd at 10:00 local time and VIP packages are on sale now from www.sepultura.com.br/tour
SEPULTURA – Celebrating Life Through Death North American Tour 2026 With EXODUS, BIOHAZARD, TRIBAL GAZE
04.29 US Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater 05.01 CAN Montreal, QC @ MTELUS 05.02 CAN London, ON @ London Music Hall 05.04 US Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre 05.05 US Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall 05.06 US Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 05.07 US Atlanta, GA @ The Masquarade 05.08 US New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre 05.10 US Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville* 05.11 US Charleston, SC @ Music Farm 05.12 US Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall 05.13 US Reading, PA @ Reverb 05.15 US Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre 05.16 US Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple* 05.17 US Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 05.19 US Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 05.21 US Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 05.22 US Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 05.23 US Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club 05.25 US Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues 05.26 US San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park 05.28 US Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre 05.29 US Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern *Festival Date
New York death metal titans IMMOLATION are charging into 2026 at full throttle with two massive tours and the announcement of their highly anticipated twelfth studio album, Descent, arriving April 10th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Ever since their landmark 1991 debut, Dawn of Possession, the band has set an unwavering standard for innovation, influencing generations of extreme metal worldwide. Their sound remains singular, driven by Bob Vigna’s signature fretwork—a masterclass of soaring leads and haunting, atmospheric dirges.
Experience the first taste of the devastation with their new single “Adversary”—a crushing blend of blast beats, intimidating leads, and cavernous vocals. Defined by merciless percussion, dissonant riffing, and Ross Dolan’s commanding growls, the track is a monumental display of the band’s enduring power.
Watch the music video for ‘Adversary’ directed by the band’s own Bob Vigna, here:
IMMOLATION comments: “We are really excited to release ‘Descent’ this year. The vibe and feel of this new one is almost addictive. We couldn’t be happier with how it came out and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it! This album takes what we’ve done on the last couple of records and truly brings it to a new level. The material stays true to our roots, but also goes into some new territory at times, being somewhat ambitious, but taking nods from even our earliest moments. We always strive to create interesting songs, and I believe we have achieved that on every track here. It’s truly one of the best records we’ve done, with an amazing production, atmosphere and flow. We look forward to playing it all live for you soon! Enjoy the ‘Descent’!”
Descent was captured across two locations: Justin Passamonte tracked guitars, bass, and vocals at Jpass Music, while drums wererecorded at Mercinary Studios with Noah Buchanan. The production was a collaborative effort between the band and long-time engineer Zack Ohren, who also handled the mixing and mastering. The result is a muscular, high-fidelity production that captures the band’s most fiery and brooding moments with equal clarity. To call Descent “heavy” or “brutal” is an understatement; this is death metal with a unique, elevated voice that stands entirely alone.
Visually, the band has once again tapped Eliran Kantor to craft a haunting cover masterpiece—a true hallmark of the Immolation aesthetic— complemented by Santiago Jaramillo’s (Triple Seis Design) internal booklet illustrations. With this release, IMMOLATION reinforces their status as one of the most enduring and vital forces in the genre.
01. These Vengeful Winds 02. The Ephemeral Curse 03. God’s Last Breath 04. Adversary 05. Attrition 06. Bend Towards The Dark 07. Host 08. False Ascent 09. Banished 10. Descent
This February, IMMOLATION will join MAYHEM on their ‘Death Over Europe Tour’ with MARDUK.
02.05.2026 NL Groningen @ SPOT Groningen 02.06.2026 NL Utrecht @ Tivoli 02.08.2026 DE Herford @ Kulturwerk 02.09.2026 BE Seraing @ OM 02.10.2026 GB London @ Electric Brixton 02.11.2026 FR Paris @ Elysee Montmartre 02.12.2026. FR Ramonville Saint-Agne @ Le Bikini 02.14.2026. PT Lisboa @ LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo 02.15.2026 ES Madrid @ Sala Riviera 02.17.2026 IT Milan @ Alcatraz 02.18.2026 CH Solothurn @ Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 02.19.2026 AT Vienna @ Simm City 02.20.2026 DE Obertraubling @ Airport-Eventhall 02.21.2026 CZ Prague @ Křižíkův pavilon E 02.22.2026 DE Berlin @ Huxleys Neue Welt 02.24.2026 PL Gdansk @ B90 02.25.2026 LV Riga @ Spelet 02.26.2026 FI Helsinki @ Kulttuuritalo 02.28.2026 SE Gothenburg @ Eriksbergshallen
Following the European tour, IMMOLATION will join headliners and label mates BEHEMOTH on their ‘The Godless IV 2026 Tour‘ with DEICIDE and ROTTING CHRIST.
04.14.2026 US San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park 04.15.2026 US San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom 04.17.2026 US Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater 04.18.2026 CAN Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue Theatre 04.19.2026 US Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo 04.21.2026 US Salt Lake City, UT @ Union Event Center 04.22.2026 US Denver, CO @ The Fillmore 04.24.2026 US Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 04.25.2026 US Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre 04.26.2026 US St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant 04.28.2026 US Norfolk, VA @ The Norva 04.30.2026 US Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore ~ 05.01.2026 US Worcester, MA @ The Palladium ^ 05.02.2026 US New York City, NY @ The Palladium 05.04.2026 US Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Riverworks 05.05.2026 US McKees Rock, PA @ The Roxian 05.09.2026 US Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 05.11.2026. CAN Toronto, ON @ History 05.12.2026 CAN Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia 05.14.2026 US Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple* 05.15.2026 US Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 05.16.2026 US Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 05.18.2026 US Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory 05.20.2026 US Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren 05.21.2026 US Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
~ – No ROTTING CHRIST ^ – No DEICIDE * – Festival date
The wait is finally over! The mightyKREATORhave unleashed their highly anticipated 16th studio albumKrushers Of The World!
Featuring ten hard-hitting anthems, the album enhances the band’s unmistakable classic thrash metal sound by boldly embracing modern elements wrapped in an uncompromising, massive production by acclaimed producer Jens Bogren.
Krushers Of The World showcases KREATOR at the peak of their creative force – furious, precise, and more relevant than ever. The album bridges decades of thrash metal legacy with a contemporary edge that pushes the genre forward.
Coinciding with the album release, KREATOR have premiered the official music video for the title track ‘Krushers Of The World.’ Set in a post-apocalyptic Berlin, the video paints a grim yet striking vision of a world on the brink, capturing themes that feel more urgent and topical than ever.
With Krushers Of The World, KREATOR once again prove why they remain one of the most influential and vital forces in metal.
Mille Petrozza commented: “Hordes! Krushers Of The World is yours now! We hope you will enjoy it as much as we do. See you on tour!“
EU & UK Headline Tour w/ special guests Carcass, Exodus and Nails
Mar 26 PT Lisbon Sala Tejo
Mar 26 ES Madrid Vistalegre
Mar 26 FR Paris Zenith
Mar 26 BE Brussels Ancienne Belgique
Mar 26 UK London O2 Brixton Academy
Mar 26 UK Manchester O2 Apollo
Mar 26 UK Glasgow O2 Academy Glasgow
Mar 26 LU Esch sur Alzette Rockhall
Apr 26 CH Zurich Halle 622
Apr 26 NL Den Bosch Mainstage
Apr 26 DE Essen Grugahalle
Apr 26 DE Frankfurt am Main Jahrhunderthalle
Apr 26 IT Milan Alcatraz
Apr 26 SI Ljubljana Media Center
Apr 26 AT Vienna Gasometer
Apr 26 DE Ludwigsburg MHP Arena
Apr 26 DE Munich Zenith
Apr 26 CZ Prague Forum Karlin
Apr 26 HU Budapest Barba Negra
Apr 26 PL Warsaw Arena Torwar
Apr 26 DE Hamburg Inselpark Arena
Apr 26 DE Berlin Uber Eats Music Hall
Apr 26 LV Riga Palladium Riga
Apr 26 FI Helsinki Black Box
Apr 26 SE Stockholm Annexet
Apr 26 NO Oslo Sentrum Scene
Apr 26 DK Copenhagen Poolen
EU FESTIVALS
July 26 DE Rock Harz Rock Harz
KRUSHERS OF THE USA TOUR 2026
KREATOR w/ guests Carcass & Cold Steel
07 May 26 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live 08 May 26 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 10 May 26 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade 11 May 26 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine 12 May 26 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz 14 May 26 – Worcester, MA – Palladium 15 May 26 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre 16 May 26 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple 18 May 26 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre 19 May 26 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue 20 May 26 – Chicago, IL – Romova Theatre 22 May 26 – Huntington, NY – Paramount 23 May 26 – Baltimore, MD – Maryland Deathfest
When KREATOR’s earliest incarnation formed under the influence of Kiss and Judas Priest in the early 80’s none of the above was thinkable. For young adults, Essen, back then a 600k plus city in the Ruhr area, was a grim place. Unemployment rates were surging, houses had been blackened by smoke from factories and coal mines, for some alcohol and drug abuse were the only escape route from this dismal, post-industrialized backdrop.
Whereas Birmingham spawned Black Sabbath and undoubtedly became the legitimate birthplace of heavy metal, the bands associated with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal like Iron Maiden, Venom, Saxon pushed the genre with a street-fighting attitude, US artists such as Metallica, Exodus, Slayer, and Swedes Bathory intensified the style even more, and altogether concocted a dangerous brew KREATOR poured down their throats in gallons. For today’s remaining founding members Mille and drummer Jürgen “Ventor” Reil, music was the way out from these dire surroundings, and provided an outlet for the frustration and contempt boiling in their guts. And KREATOR went all in. Naive, chaotic yet utterly determined.
And they left their own mark on heavy metal history, radicalizing thrash and inspiring legions of musicians including Arch Enemy, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth and Ghost, with Papa Emeritus joining a TV performance of ‘Satan Is Real’ in 2017.
Their newest studio album, Krushers Of The World, shows a band that has lost none of its bite kicking off with the rabid aggression of ‘Seven Serpents’. It also tackles Petrozza’s love for horror flicks by paying tribute to Dario Argento’s Suspiria in ‘Tränenpalast’ with extreme metal vocal coach Britta Görtz (Hiraes) adding her own vicious tone over dark yet catchy melodies. And of course, you shall have hefty doses of pure, thrashing aggression as well! ‘Barbarian’, ‘Deathscream’ or ‘Psychotic Imperator’ deliver your fix of merciless riffs, majestic leads by Sami Yli-Sirniö and some of Ventor’s fastest parts ever. Are you looking for powerful mid-tempo sections allowing bassist Frédéric Leclercq to shine? Then the monumental groove of the title track and stunning chorus of ‘Satanic Anarchy’ will have you covered. Rounded off by a triumphant and – no pun intended – krushing production courtesy of Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, who previously worked with the group on Phantom Antichrist (2012) and Gods Of Violence (2017), KREATOR return in perfect shape.
A novelty to Krushers Of The World is immediately obvious when staring at its cover. With Zbigniew Bielak, renowned for his work for Ghost, art and design offer an interesting twist to KREATOR’s history. Transforming classic visual trademarks dedicated fans will recognise from Coma Of Souls (1990), Out of the Dark… into the Light (1988) and Pleasure To Kill (the font!) into a highly detailed tapestry garnered with occult symbolism, Bielak crafted an outstanding piece paying homage to a band he loves since his teenager days yet with a daring and unique flair. The cover of Krushers Of The World rewards everyone willing to analyze the grandiose sleeve design.
In essence, Krushers Of The World is of course not a throwback to KREATOR’s past, it is furious, massive sounding and creative in its own right, gifted with a songwriting quality honed over years. It displays a band which earned its spot among the giants of the genre, and developed its youthful anger further into a professional, internationally successful, nonetheless intimidating creature. Krushers Of The World underlines the fact that fueled by the reflective look at their own legacy sparked by 2025’s Hate & Hope movie, KREATOR nowadays appear more mindful of their early days while simultaneously progressing uncompromisingly, unstoppable in their search for new realms to conquer and new worlds to krush.
Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Revolution Saints) is excited to share today the new single and official video “Lifeline”, taken from the fourth album of his solo project Joel Hoekstra’s 13, “From The Fade”, out on February 27, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Hoekstra said: “Lifeline” is basically a straight ahead melodic rock song. Girish Pradhan delivers a gritty, powerful lead vocal, and Jeff Scott Soto compliments him beautifully with his backing vocals. Vinny Appice and Tony Franklin provide a tasteful groove full of fun accents and hits, while Derek Sherinian provides a killer keyboard solo and the perfect sounds/parts for the song. Once again, with Girish being in India we opted to have some green screen fun for the video! I hope you enjoy it!”
Joel commented: “The songs were built from the guitar riffs up. Most of the riffs were written during the time I was filling in with Accept, so there is a heavier edge to this album overall. That being said, the album still would be more accurately described as melodic hard rock, not straight-up metal”.
“As always with the Joel Hoekstra’s 13 albums, I wrote the style of music that inspired me to pick up the guitar and tried to focus on SONGS for you to enjoy, not overly self-indulgent guitar solos”, he continued. “HUGE thanks to Vinny Appice, Tony Franklin, Derek Sherinian, Girish Pradhan and Jeff Scott Soto for bringing the songs to life! I hope you all enjoy ‘From The Fade’ as much as I enjoyed making it!”
Joel Hoekstra’s 13 returns with its fourth studio album, “From the Fade” – a dynamic collection of 10 brand-new tracks that combine soaring melodies, thunderous riffs, and the high-level musicianship fans have come to expect.
Once again, guitarist and composer Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Cher, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) is joined by an elite cast of rock veterans: powerhouse drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), legendary bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), virtuoso keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo), and rising vocal sensation Girish Pradhan (Girish and The Chronicles, The Nail).
“From The Fade” delivers a blend of classic hard rock and modern melodic metal, characterized by tight arrangements, technical precision, and emotionally charged performances. Each track reflects Hoekstra’s signature songwriting – rooted in tradition but pushing the genre forward with a fresh and contemporary sound.
This is more than just a studio project; it’s a statement of intent from one of rock’s most respected guitarists and his band of world-class collaborators.
New York guitarist Joel Hoekstra currently plays for Whitesnake and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Joel is also well-known for his work with: Cher, Night Ranger, the Broadway show Rock of Ages, his fill in work with Foreigner, Accept, his annual sets on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, recording projects like Revolution Saints, Iconic, viral collaboration videos with the likes of Dino Jelusick, Arnel Pineda, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and his acoustic shows with Brandon Gibbs.
Exhibiting a knack for music education, he has also been a frequent columnist for Guitar World Magazine, taught at Musician’s Institute, Rockstars of Tomorrow, Guitar Workshop Plus and often been a counselor at Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp.
Over the years, Joel has released three instrumental solo albums and three critically acclaimed albums with his side project Joel Hoekstra’s 13. Most recently, he was the guest guitarist on Dancing with the Stars (Hair Metal Episode) and played with Cher at her Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction and the SNL 50 Homecoming Concert.
“From The Fade” Tracklist:
1. You Can Give 2. The Fall 3. Lifeline 4. Will You Remember Me 5. Misunderstood 6. Start to Fight 7. All I’d Do 8. Free To Be 9. The End Of Me 10. Quite The Ride
Line Up: Joel Hoekstra – guitars Girish Pradhan – lead vocals Vinny Appice – drums Tony Franklin – bass Derek Sherinian – keyboards Jeff Scott Soto – backing vocals
No matter the day and age, progressive metal never strays from the cutting edge. ONLY HUMAN are fresh on the scene having now signed with Season of Mist. But the Danish upstarts are already on the brink of a major discovery with their inventive debut album. Planned Obsolescence pushes progressive metal in a truly forward-thinking direction while warning of our not-too-distant dystopia.
“We wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, says vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen, who also produced, mixed and mastered their debut album. “Planned Obsolescence is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society. We now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed”.
Today, ONLY HUMAN are announcing Planned Obsolescence with a suspenseful video for the album’s lead single. “Automata” transmits a chilling message for the future, but the band’s cutting-edge fusion hits like a deep breath of fresh air.
Concept albums are standard procedure for metal, especially when it comes to the prog space. But when the five members of ONLY HUMAN came together via online and IRL connections, they wired the entire band’s framework around one encroaching idea. “Automata” surfs its synthetic grooves with clear command, as if by simply pressing a button. Though beneath its shining surface, the song processes the inherent danger in letting technology determine our individual thought patterns. During the music video, three thrill seekers follow guidance from their smartphone. Good times are had along the way, but tragically, they never stop to question whether it’s leading them to a dead end.
“We’ve offloaded critical thought”, Christensen explains. “We’re not really doing things because we want to do them. It’s because an algorithm has decided that’s what we should do”.
Planned Obsolescence is fueled by existential dread. Like a virus, electronic beats hack into the hard drive of “Automata”, much in the same way that technology continues to creep into our everyday lives. But that doesn’t mean that the album leaves us without hope. There’s nothing broken, outmoded or dated about ONLY HUMAN. When main-frame shaking riffs reduce the song to digital ash, their message rings out loud and clear. “Defy and learn to walk again”.
“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, says Christensen. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.
Catch ONLY HUMAN live and in the flesh this year, starting next weekend in Denmark with Svartsot
ONLY HUMAN Live in 2026: January 31 – Fredericia, DN @ Tøjhuset February 14 – Aalborg, DN @ Studenterhuset June 3-6 – Sölvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival August 27-29 – Næstved, DN @ Næstved Metalfest
The video for “Automata” was directed by muyingo.
Additional Video Credits: Starring: Ross Mangal Khan, Elyas Ben, Mads Højlund Producer: Johan Dahlerup Production Manager: Lou Wroblewski Editor – Benjamin Giese Binzer Director of Photography – Tobias Horvath 1st Assistant Camera – Mikke D. Jensen 2nd Assistant Camera – Johan Rostrup Steadicam Operator – Noah Obel Gaffer – Leonardo Bosetti Light Equipment – Malik Thomsen Sound Recording – Chris Kenter Sound Design – Guilherme Magrin Production Design – Martha Wallstrøm Costume & Makeup Artist – Sofie Bau PA- Mohammes Hussain Visual Effects Artist – Marco Vegh Storyboard Artist – Abu Shukran Behind the Scenes – Jackson Heeley
Tracklist: 1. Drift (4:44) 2. The Sun and the Moon (3:54) 3. Steep Descent (5:56) 4. Death Cult (3:40) 5. Techno Fascist (6:01) 6. Automata (6:12) 7. Aspire (4:22) 8. Breach (5:41)
Full runtime: 40:32
Despite evolving with greater speed and scope than other corners of the metal archives, progressive metal never strays from the cutting edge. ONLY HUMAN are fresh on the scene, having signed with Season of Mist at the beginning of 2026 ahead of an appearance at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival. But the Danish band are already on the brink of a major discovery with their debut album. With Planned Obsolescence, they’ve invented an existential form of prog metal that warns of our not-too-distant dystopia.
“The album is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society”, says vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen. “Tech companies often design their products to have an expiration date, so that we’re forced to replace them with the newest model. Through our social media and the adoption of influencer culture, we now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed”.
ONLY HUMAN were assembled through online and IRL connections. The band started in 2022 with Christensen on both guitar and vocals and drummer Andreas Pröll. The two were soon joined by bassist Guillaume Blanjean. As their music grew in scope and became more ambitious, they decided to recruit additional guitarists. Martin Hastrup and JaCK Kijne joined in 2024, just as Planned Obsolescence was starting to take shape.
All five members of ONLY HUMAN are brought together by a vast host of shared interests. The band’s name comes from a pivotal scene in The Matrix. Other late ‘90s totems — from drum ‘n’ bass to Linkin Park and Opeth — twisted together with the modern-day influence of TesseracT, Periphery and Bring Me The Horizon to inform their collective DNA. But from the very beginning, they were determined to deviate from the norm.
“We like a lot of bands that just play rock music, but we wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, Christensen says. “We’re interested in creating a musical universe that portrays a future on the brink of collapse”.
Planned Obsolescence reckons with technology’s increasingly hostile takeover. One of the first songs that ONLY HUMAN wrote together, lead single “Automata” expands from a scrolling syncopated rhythms into mainframe-shaking grooves, as the surrounding world narrows in on itself. “We’ve offloaded critical thought”, says Christensen, who also took on all phases of the production process. “We’re not really doing things because we want to do them. It’s because an algorithm has decided that’s what we should do”. Brain rot might be the silent killer for today’s digital age, but the steady intrusion of beats, blips and synthetic patches into the album’s song wiring imitates how corporate greed and invasive technologies fight to control our day-to-day existence. Like a virus, “Techno Fascist” emerges unsuspectingly before it comes crashing down amidst a turbulent stream of low-tuned chugs.
ONLY HUMAN’s vision for the future verges on apocalyptic. “Breach” closes the album by looking past the point of no return. Amidst its crushing despair, even the song’s glowing keys appear like a comet bound for Earth. But while fueled by existential dread, Planned Obsolescence isn’t void of hope. After all, there’s nothing broken, outmoded or dated about this new band. Unlike the attempts of artificial intelligence, their fusion of prog, djent, hard rock and electronic soundscapes is the product of much care and hard work. They had to tinker with several different versions before “Steep Descent” finally reached its climactic bridge. “Cast your flame beyond this bleak reality”, Christensen beckons as dizzying melodies and a stellar guitar solo propel him and his bandmates into the next stratosphere.
“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, Christensen concludes. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.
Lineup: Patrick Grønbæch Christensen — Vocals Martin Hastrup — Guitars JaCK Kijne — Guitars Andreas Pröll — Drums Guillaume Blanjean — Bass
Recording, Mixing and Mastering Studio: Only Human Studio, Denmark.
Production Credits: Producer & Sound Engineer — Patrick Grønbæch Christensen Mixing Engineer — Patrick Grønbæch Christensen Mastering Engineer — Patrick Grønbæch Christensen (Digital and CD), Brett Caldas-Lima (Vinyl)
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 