Between Rivers, the Stockholm-based progressive metal project of Italian multi-instrumentalist Emanuele Viali, has unveiled a visualizer for “Freedom Denied”. The track is the first taste of the debut mini album Form Without Soul, out independently on March 26, 2027.
Mixing progressive metal with thrash and death metal, Between Rivers sets crushing aggression against a somber, dramatic sense of melody. Viali describes “Freedom Denied” as a song about the gap between the promise of personal freedom and the systems that keep restricting it.
“We are told that we are free, but every movement, choice, and basic need seems to come with a cost. That sense of restriction also extends to the lack of privacy in contemporary life.”
Emanuele Viali
He adds that it is probably the most aggressive song on the record, written as a short burst of pressure rather than a long progressive build.
Form Without Soul
Viali wrote and produced the album and played every instrument except vocals and a few guest solos. Vocals, vocal arrangements and most lyrics come from Vladimir Lalic (Organized Chaos), while Francesco Domenichetti and Fabrizio Milo contribute guitar solos. Recording, mixing and mastering were handled by Viali and Dmitry at Ozone Hole Studios, and the cover art is by Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity). The album closes with a cover of Devin Townsend‘s “Thing Beyond Things”.
Form Without Soul Tracklist
- Silicon Paradise
- Freedom Denied
- Insides
- Chroma Veil
- Brightest Eyes
- Choices
- Thing Beyond Things (Devin Townsend cover)
About Between Rivers
Originally from Terni, Italy, Viali holds a degree in jazz bass, also plays guitar and keyboards, and works professionally on music and sound for video games. He previously played in the folk metal band Blodiga Skald. Between Rivers draws on Ayreon, Devin Townsend, Death, Nevermore, Genesis and 90s Disney film music, along with Italian songwriters such as Fabrizio De André, Franco Battiato and Giorgio Gaber.
Follow Between Rivers:
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