Modern melodic metalheads INMATE have an assortment of albums released thus far, with them hard at work at what is their seventh album to date! They have some shows lined up as well, as much else in the works! The band discusses these matters right below.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
INMATE is a modern melodic metal band from Velenje, Slovenia, formed in 2005. Known for their intense energy, crushing riffs, and emotionally charged lyrics, the band merges elements of melodic death metal and metalcore with a message-driven approach. Their music often delves into themes of personal growth, freedom, unity, and inner transformation, creating a sound that’s as thoughtful as it is powerful.
INMATE’s discography showcases their musical evolution and emotional depth. Their debut album, Free at Last (2012), introduced their aggressive yet melodic style. This was followed by Tree of Life (2015), which further solidified their place in the modern metal scene. In 2020, the band released A Small Measure of Peace, an intimate acoustic album that offered a new dimension to their sound and message. In 2021 came The Salt, a concept album inspired by Vedic literature and the search for truth and purpose. Its title track was performed at EMA 2020, Slovenia’s national Eurovision selection, making INMATE the first metal band to ever compete in the event.
In 2024, they released their latest studio album, Let the Dead Bury Their Dead a heavy, emotionally resonant record that marks a mature chapter in their artistic journey. That same year, INMATE embarked on a European tour with Hungarian metal legends Ektomorf, bringing their intense live show to stages across the continent and earning praise for their passionate performances.
The current lineup includes:
• Marko Duplišak – vocals
• David Vodopivec – guitar
• Jure Grudnik – drums
• Jure Vertelj – guitar
• Andrej Bezjak (Nama Kirtan das) – guitars, bass, songwriting (†2024)
Founding guitarist Andrej Bezjak, whose creative vision shaped much of the band’s sound and philosophy, sadly passed away in late 2024. His legacy continues to resonate in the band’s work and mission.
With nearly two decades of persistence, a diverse and evolving discography, and an unrelenting live presence, INMATE remains one of Slovenia’s most impactful metal bands carrying forward a message of strength, awareness, and transformation through heavy music.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
The name INMATE reflects the band's deep connection to themes of inner struggle, confinement, and personal liberation. Originally, the name was chosen to symbolize the idea that everyone is, in some way, a prisoner of their own mind, habits, past, or societal expectations. It represents the emotional and psychological battles people face and the journey of breaking free from those limitations. For INMATE, music is a tool for transformation, a way to confront internal prisons and ultimately seek freedom and clarity.
This concept is reflected throughout their lyrics and artistic direction, especially in albums like Free at Last, The Salt, and Let the Dead Bury Their Dead, where the focus is often on self-awareness, rebirth, and inner strength.
So, the name INMATE isn't about criminality, it's about the universal human condition of being trapped by something, and the fight to escape it.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Slovenia is home to many great bands with huge potential. Unfortunately, the local market is quite small, and the scene does not support metal as much as we would like. The most popular metal genres here are thrash, black, and classic heavy metal, so there's still some resistance to more modern styles.
Right now, the biggest band coming out of Slovenia is definitely Within Destruction. They're constantly touring and have built a massive international following.
Other Slovenian bands worth mentioning include Noctiferia, LastDayHere, and XSkull8, all bringing something unique to the scene and proving that the Slovenian metal underground is alive and kicking.
4. How would you describe your style?
We like to describe INMATE as a blend of modern metal styles with a strong emotional and melodic backbone. Our sound combines elements of groove metal, metalcore, and melodic death metal heavy riffs, tight rhythms, and a mix of aggressive screams and clean, powerful vocals.
Lyrically, we dive deep into personal battles, societal issues, and spiritual questions. It’s not just about the heaviness, there’s a lot of heart in our music. We aim to create something that hits hard but also resonates on a deeper level.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
• Free At Last (2012)- Their debut album offers a 12-track journey of self-discovery and liberation.
• Tree of Life (2015)- A 15-track concept album celebrating balance and personal growth, featuring guest vocalists.
• Anarthas (2019)- A powerful reflection on inner struggles and self-improvement through its 10 gripping songs.
• A Small Measure of Peace (Acoustic Album, 2020) - A bold orchestral experiment featuring reimagined tracks from Anarthas, showcasing the band’s creative versatility.
• The Salt (2021) - Exploring perseverance and integrity, this 10-track album marks the culmination of their EMA journey.
• Let the Dead Bury Their Dead (2024) - A striking call to embrace the living and the present,this album consists of 11tracks produced by Uroš Boršič, blending urgency and purpose into every riff.
From aggressive groove metal riffs and metalcore intensity to melodic death metal influences, INMATE’s sound is dynamic and layered. You'll hear heavy, crushing guitars paired with melodic passages and sometimes atmospheric or acoustic textures. Their lyrics often explore deep themes like personal struggle, spirituality, inner growth, and societal challenges. This gives their music a reflective and thought-provoking quality beyond just heaviness.
Over the years, INMATE has evolved from straightforward heavy metal into incorporating acoustic elements (notably on A Small Measure of Peace), progressive touches, and concept-album storytelling. Expect a wide range from harsh growls and screams to clean singing and even melodic chanting, showcasing vocal versatility that enhances the emotional impact of their songs.
The band is known for their precise musicianship and energetic delivery. Even on recorded albums, their passion and intensity shine through, reflecting their strong live performances. Their albums often feel cohesive, with thematic and musical motifs that tie tracks together, inviting listeners to experience them as full journeys rather than just collections of songs.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
Right now, we are working on our 7th full-length album, which we expect to release next year or possibly the year after. The creative process feels a bit different this time, mainly because we lost Andrej, our guitarist, last year. His tragic passing has deeply affected us. Andrej was one of the main composers for both the instrumental parts and the lyrics.
Now, the rest of us are stepping up to fill that role and create the new music. It's a challenge, but so far, we’re doing quite well. The new songs are coming together and will sound different from what we have done before. Our main goal has always been to keep creating and pushing forward with new music, and that hasn't changed.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
This year, we have two shows lined up with Drowning Pool in Germany, which is really exciting for us. We're also playing a metal and tattoo festival in Austria, plus a few gigs here in Slovenia. We're looking forward to adding more shows as the year goes on and hopefully planning a tour for next year. Our collaboration with our booking agency, Graviton Music Services from the Netherlands, is going really well, and they're helping us get great opportunities. So, the plan is simple, to play as much as possible and bring our music to as many people as we can.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
Our main goal for the future is always to create new music and to keep improving, not only as musicians but also as people. Through our lyrics, we aim to spread a positive message. We’re not here to criticize how bad things are, but to remind everyone that the most important thing is the individual.
As individuals, we have the power to make a big impact. It starts with being aware of what’s right and wrong, and working first on us to solve our own problems. Only then can we truly help others and make a difference together.
We want to play as much as possible to share our message and, most importantly, to bring happiness to people through our music.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
We're active on all major social media platforms, feel free to check out the links below. I also recommend visiting our official website, where you can find more about our music, messages, and latest updates. So, no matter where you prefer to follow us, we're there!
INMATE – Metal band from Slovenia
NEW INMATE EPK 2025
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
There isn’t a single specific thing I want every listener to remember when they hear our music. Every person is different, and everyone experiences music in their own way. What we really want to emphasize is this: no matter which band or genre you’re listening to, please give the music a real chance. Listen to the whole song, not just a few seconds before skipping to the next track. And if you’re listening to an album, try to listen to the entire album.
These days, people often don’t listen to full albums anymore, and that’s a big shame. An album is the full story the band wants to tell. It’s the complete package, created with sweat, money, free time, and sacrifices. By listening to the whole album, you get a much better understanding of what the band wanted to share with you.
And of course, go see bands live and support them. Live music is incredibly important nowadays. It’s a completely different experience than listening on your phone, radio, or TV. So please, go to concerts, see your favorite bands live, and give them the support they truly deserve.