Getting to Know Inmate (Interview – Written)

Modern melodic metal/metalcore band, Inmate, released their latest album ‘Let the Dead Bury Their Dead’ last year and an official video for the title track came out last month. In this interview, we get to know them a little better.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

We started exactly 20 years ago in a small town Velenje in Slovenia, coming together as musicians who had already played in various bands. What brought us together was a shared passion for creating modern, catchy, and heavy music. From the very beginning, we’ve been drawn to metalcore, melodic death metal, and death metal, blending powerful riffs with clean vocals and a melodic edge.

Over the years, we’ve stayed true to our vision, releasing six studio albums and continuously evolving our sound. Our main goal has always been to create new music, to write songs that push boundaries, explore new ideas, and bring fresh elements into the metal genre. We’re proud that after two decades, we’re still going strong, despite facing many challenges along the way.

We also consider ourselves a live band at heart. Performing on stage is where we feel most alive, and playing live shows remains just as important to us as writing and recording new material. After 20 years, the passion is still there and we’re not slowing down anytime soon.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

Our sound is rooted in a mixture of metalcore, melodic death metal, and modern metal influences but we don’t set any strict boundaries when it comes to genre. We’re always exploring, always experimenting. Whether it’s a heavy breakdown, a melodic hook, or an unexpected twist from a completely different style, we welcome it all.

For us, it’s never about fitting into a specific box. If a song feels right, if it moves us no matter what genre label someone might give it, then that’s enough. We’re driven by creativity, not limitations. That mindset has kept us evolving and inspired over the years, and it’s something we’ll always carry forward.

3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?

We are currently still in the promotion phase of our latest album Let the Dead Bury Their Dead, which was released in April last year. On June 1st, we released the official video for the album’s title track. It has now been out for a month and is gaining great feedback and momentum.

Live shows remain a big part of this promotion cycle. This month, we are performing at the Metal and Tattoo Festival in Austria, followed by shows with Drowning Pool, Germany, and several local gigs in Slovenia. We are committed to bringing the energy of this record directly to our fans.

At the same time, we are already working on our seventh studio album. Several new songs have already been written, and we are actively developing more material. We are constantly creating and always moving forward.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of our second album Tree of Life. To celebrate, we will release a newly recorded version of the track “Unity in Diversity”, a fan favorite that we believe deserves a fresh take.We are staying busy, full of ideas, and fully committed to keeping the creative fire burning.

4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?

Right now, what excites us the most is creating new music. That creative process is what truly drives us, along with performing live. We feel most energized when we are deep in the process, when our goals are clear, and everyone knows their role. That kind of focus is the only way to keep delivering results. It provides constant feedback, and the satisfaction of completing something, especially when we are genuinely proud of the final product, is incredibly rewarding.

5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.

Everything we create as a band means a lot to us. We put everything we have in that exact moment into the creative process. Whether it’s writing a song, recording an album, or shooting a video, our goal is always the same: to make the best possible product for our fans and audience. That’s the only mindset that brings true satisfaction knowing you gave it your all, with no shortcuts and no regrets.

We genuinely love everything we’ve created so far: every record, every video, every song. We stand by our work and wouldn’t change a thing. It represents who we were at the time, and that honesty is what matters most.

6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?

Creating new music is, without a doubt, the most important part of being in a band.

We’ve never played cover songs live, nor have we ever intended to. Sure, we might joke around with a few during rehearsals, but when it comes to performing, we only play our own music. And there is a simple reason for that. Writing original songs is a unique and irreplaceable experience.

When you create something new, you’re not just making music. You’re discovering your own potential. You’re exploring your musical understanding, pushing your instrumental skills, and growing not only as a musician but also as a person. The creative process forces you to dig deep, to listen, to experiment, to go to concerts, and to truly live as a musician.

That’s why creating new material is so crucial for us. As much as we love our older songs, playing only those or cover songs would quickly become repetitive. New music keeps us inspired, energized, and excited. And we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on with our fans and audience.

7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?

Today, it’s much easier and more accessible to create and record music than it was 10 or 20 years ago. You no longer need expensive studio equipment to get started. With the right computer, microphones, and a bit of knowledge, you can record decent audio from almost anywhere. If you have the skills, you can do a lot on your own. If not, there are professionals you can collaborate with. In general, producing music has become more affordable and within reach for most artists.

However, while recording has become easier, reaching the right audience has become more difficult. The internet is oversaturated with content. There are countless bands and artists trying to be heard, and even though we have streaming platforms and digital tools, it is still a challenge to connect your music with the people who would genuinely appreciate it. Your songs can easily get lost in the noise.

That is why we believe that live shows are still the most powerful and effective way to share music.

Playing live allows us to connect directly with audiences and show them who we are without filters. For us, the goal is clear. We want to play live as much as possible, all over the world.

8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?

We try to use all available social media platforms as much as possible to promote our music and our message. Of course, getting additional exposure often requires a financial investment in advertising which depends heavily on the band’s budget. That is why it is sometimes difficult to decide which promotional approach will be the most effective. Still, we do our best to stay active online and share content regularly.

Our social media is not just about music. It is also about the lifestyle behind it. On one hand, we share our journey as musicians, but on the other, we also promote a healthy and positive way of living. This is not just something we say in our lyrics. It is something we try to live every day.

We believe that taking care of your physical and mental health is essential. Only when you are well can you truly help others and make a difference. Through our music and our actions, we hope to spread that message and contribute, even in a small way, to making the world a better and more positive place.

9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?

The most fulfilling part of being in a band for us is the ability to create new music. This is our main drive and the part we enjoy the most. We feel truly proud when we release a new song or video and share it with our audience. Creating music helps us grow not only as musicians but also as people. It challenges us mentally and emotionally and that growth makes all the other tough parts of being in a band worth it.

Sometimes the work around promotion, the long drives after shows, or the exhaustion on tour can be difficult. But when you stand on stage and see a happy audience, all those challenges feel rewarded. Even though metal music often does not bring big financial gains and sometimes barely covers expenses, it is still worth pursuing. We remain motivated and passionate and we believe this will continue for a long time.

10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?

In general, I would ask the audience and listeners not just for our band but for all bands to give new bands a real chance. Nowadays people tend to listen to music very briefly. They hear just 10 or 15 seconds of a song and if they are not immediately hooked they skip to the next one. But it is important to listen to a few songs from a band that you find interesting before deciding if you like them or not.

Another important thing for us is that people listen to whole albums. These days many only listen to singles or individual songs. But if you listen to a whole album you get a completely different experience. The songs were usually created in the same period and tell a story that connects them all. That makes the album experience much richer and deeper.

So I strongly suggest listening to a full album before forming an opinion about a band. And the best way to support the bands you like is by going to their live shows. Live concerts are where the real connection happens. So please go to the shows and give the bands the support they deserve.

11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?

We are all very active, especially when it comes to sports. We do a lot of hiking, especially mountain hiking. Recently, we have climbed a lot, and we also enjoy cycling and swimming. Staying active is the best way for us to relax and maintain good physical shape. Our live shows are very intense and demanding, and since we are not so young anymore, staying fit is essential. That is why we work hard on our fitness so that we can bring the energy needed for a great show and keep the audience happy.

12. Where can people find you?

We are present on all social media and streaming platforms. Please check the links below. You can get our merch on Big Cartel and Bandcamp. Thank you all for supporting us and we hope to see you live under the stage.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | X | Soundcloud | Big Cartel | Bandcamp