Only Human Planned Obsolescence Review

Only Human

Planned Obsolescence

Season of Mist

2026

When I read a bit about this band, I wish you could have seen my face. It lit up like a Yule Tree. 

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.

Only Human listed TesseracT as a sound that they’re similar to. And YEA BOY I HEAR IT!!! This isn’t a negative! They took that inspiration and created their own sound. 

Starting with Drift, I was blown away. Again, going in blind to the album and never hearing of the band before I was super excited to hear them. Drift is heavy, beautiful and guttural. It definitely paints a stunning portrait of what the album gives you. 

The mix on the album is peak. I was able to hear everything fairly equally. The vocals ebbs from soft to falsetto to fry and then guttural screams are chefs kiss! I hear you on the guitars making those difficult riffs see easy. The drums and bass offer booming compliments to the overall composition. 

Half way through the album we’re gifted with two power ballads and they perfectly fit the progression of the album. Heavy and soft at the same time. 

I don’t know if you can tell, but I absolutely vibed and fell in love with this album and artist. They’re officially on my bucket list for photography now. Please, do yourself a favor and listen to this album! 

~Rook