Only Human Push Past the Brink of Existence on New Single “Breach”

February 18, 2026

ONLY HUMAN are fresh to the prog space. But the Danish upstarts are already on the brink of a major discovery with their debut album. Planned Obsolescence invents an existential form of prog metal that speaks to our not-too-distant dystopia.

Today, ONLY HUMAN are releasing the second advanced single from Planned Obsolescence. “Breach” is pushed past the brink of our existence by despair, but the band’s cutting-edge fusion emerges like a beacon of hope.

“‘This is a brooding song”, the band’s vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen says. “It’s a lament for how we’ve let cynicism take a permanent hold and lead us past the point of no return”.

Watch the lyric video for “Breach” below:

Planned Obsolescence comes out March 27, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

Concept albums are standard entries in metal’s archives. But when the five members of ONLY HUMAN came together after connecting online and IRL over everything from The Matrix to Bring Me The Horizon, they wired the band’s framework around one prevailing idea.

“We like a lot of bands that just play rock music, but we wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, says Christensen, who also produced, mixed and mastered Planned Obsolescence. “This album 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 of”.

While the first single from Planned Obsolescence cautioned against technology automating our every waking decision, “Breach” raises the alarm to a full-on blast. Scrambled electronics, dissonant guitars and pulse-pounding drums blare over the speakers, warning those asleep at the wheels of society that now is the time to hit eject. “Aimless in the midst of disaster” , Christensen screams in terror, as if preparing for the impact of our inevitable collapse.

“Self-destructive tendencies are a natural force in the world”, Christensen says, “but it’s our own choices and weaknesses that ultimately will them into existence”.

Planned Obsolescence presents a vision for the future that’s far beyond sunshine and rainbows. “Breach” ends the album not on the verge of apocalypse but spiraling into the void amidst soul-crushing riffs. Even the glowing keys appear like a comet bound for Earth. But while fueled by existential dread, ONLY HUMAN arrive as a beacon of hope. “Do you feel what I feel?”. In the age of artificial intelligence, the band’s combination of prog, djent, hard rock and electronics isn’t just meaningful but vital.

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 - Sölvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival

August 27-29 - Næstved, DK @ Næstved Metalfest

The lyric video for “Breach” was created by Tamara Llenas of Aimed & Framed.

“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

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)

Cover Art
Guillaume Blanjean

Pre-order & Pre-save

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)

Follow Only Human
Official Website: https://onlyhuman.band/
Bandcamp: https://onlyhumandk.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyhumandk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlyHumanDK
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/dk/artist/only-human/1742337573
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11Cl9Vdw4xGPUMtcurjgg1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyhumandk

Only Human Announce Inventive Debut 'Planned Obsolescence'

January 20, 2026

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 prog 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.

Watch the video for “Automata” below;

Planned Obsolescence comes out March 27, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

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.

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

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”.

NORTHTALE - Release New Single "Only Human" + Kick Off Pre-Order For Their Upcoming Album Eternal Flame!

October 12, 2021

Kick-Off Pre-Order For Their Upcoming Album Eternal Flame!

Pre-Order Available Here: https://bfan.link/eternal-flame

In August 2019, power metal newcomers NORTHTALE released their successful first album Welcome To Paradise. After their debut show at SABATON OPEN AIR in Sweden followed by shows in Japan, the band underwent a lineup change and after months of auditions, the new vocalist, Guilherme Hirose from Sao Paolo, Brazil was chosen.

Now, after releasing several re-recorded songs from Welcome To Paradise with Guilherme on vocals, the band finally announces their new album, Eternal Flame, which is set to be released on November 12th via Nuclear Blast. Produced by Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, UNISONIC), the album features 12 brand new tracks and a whole range of new influences, from thrash metal, classical citations, and Brazilian traditional music, all fused into NORTHTALE's own brand of melodic power metal.

Today, the band unveil the first single "'Only Human" - a fast-paced, anthemic tune that comes with a lyric video.
Watch the clip for "Only Human" here: https://youtu.be/QxVuZMQT5Q0
Get the single digitally HERE

Guitarist Bill Hudson comments: "The time has come! After almost two years of hard work, a lineup change, and a global pandemic, we’re very happy to tell you we’re releasing our new album, 'Eternal Flame'/

Our friends at Nuclear Blast have picked 'Only Human' as the first single. A short, straight-to-the-point Power Metal track packed with every element that makes up our music. Sonically, it’ll sound very familiar to the fans. Lyrically, it talks about the moment we’re living in, where power structures are starting to crumble and people are rising up to what they believe in, in search of evolution. But we also make mistakes, and that’s exactly what makes us human. We learn by trial and error and become wiser that way. I know it sounds cliché, but this album is very superior to our debut. Also, I got some of my amazing friends to guest on it! I simply cannot wait to hear everyone’s reaction.

For now, enjoy 'Only Human' and we're looking forward to meeting everyone this winter in Europe with UNLEASH THE ARCHERS and STRIKER."

Eternal Flame features guest appearances from legendary icon Kai Hansen (HELLOWEEN/GAMMA RAY), his son Tim Kanoa Hansen (INDUCTION), Jonas Heidgert (DRAGONLAND), and Mary Zimmer (HELION PRIME). The album artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes (MACHINE HEAD, AMARANTHE,KAMELOT)

Pre-order Eternal Flame here: https://bfan.link/eternal-flame
NORTHTALE is an international five-piece Power Metal band that was formed in 2017 by guitarist Bill Hudson (DORO, TSO, ex-U.D.O), who was initially writing songs for a solo album. Drummer Patrick Johansson (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen/W.A.S.P), keyboardist Jimmy Pitts, bassist Mikael Planefeldt and former singer Christian Eriksson (ex-TWILIGHT FORCE) joined during the demo stages when a decision was made to turn the project into a full-time band. The groups’ debut album, “Welcome To Paradise” was released in August 2019 via Nuclear Blast to very high international acclaim and great reviews on the specialized media worldwide.
In the Summer of 2020, the band chose its new vocalist, Guilherme Hirose, after a worldwide search that included 40 candidates from 11 different countries.

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Order Welcome To Paradise now, here: http://nblast.de/NorthtaleWTP

Watch and listen to Guilherme singing "Shape Your Reality":https://youtu.be/ExEC5M1KmSI
"Bring Down The Mountains" new version (w/Guilherme Hirose): http://nblast.de/Northtale-YT
"Follow Me" new version (w/Guilherme Hirose): https://youtu.be/IgwukfToA_Y

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NORTHTALE is:
Guilherme Hirose | vocals
Bill Hudson | guitars
Mikael Planefeldt | bass
Patrick Johansson | drums
Jimmy Pitts | keyboard