Danish prog metal quartet DEADNATE returns with new single and video ‘He Who Pays’

The Danish progressive metal band DEADNATE will return in the spring of 2026 with their second album — an honest and uncompromising work built on lived experience and musical foresight. On the album, DEADNATE develops their expression into something both more complex and more simple, while the themes revolve around personal introspection and reflections on our place in the world. Last week saw the release of the first single He Who Pays alongside a music video created by Maksim Ruhljadiev.

DEADNATE states on He Who Pays:

“‘He Who Pays’ is the first single of our sophomore album, and it showcases a more intense band willing to go the extra mile in the pursuit of excellence. Elements of hardcore and a powerful but raw production pushes our songwriting into a new direction. The lyrics reflect on a public debate that is leaving us fragmented and broken – the impossible distances between us growing larger every day.”

DEADNATE from Fredericia, Denmark initially found their inspiration in thrash metal, after which their perspective broadened toward progressive metal, which became the foundation for the band’s continued journey. In 2018, the band released their debut EP Concrete Flood to strong national reception, followed by concerts with acts such as Baest, Møl, and Eyehategod, as well as performances at Royal Metal Fest and other festivals. Shortly afterward, the band began writing their debut album, which they recorded in 2020 with drummer Ole Frank as producer and Andreas Linnemann (Baest, among others) as engineer.

The debut album The North Sea was released in 2022, and with its flair for progressive songwriting, pronounced virtuosity, and nuanced themes focusing on human relationships — both among ourselves and with nature — the band left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. The album gained international attention and received strong reviews, including from Metal Hammer UK (7/10), Norway’s Scream Magazine (4/6), and Ekstra Bladet (4/6). Since the release, the band has played numerous well-attended and acclaimed Danish shows and has continued to work hard and with focus on creating new music over the past few years.

Before DEADNATE release their second, yet-untitled album in the spring of 2026, a series of singles from the record can be expected. In addition, the band will continue to play shows, which will be announced in the coming months.