Emerging from the labyrinthine streets that etch out many of the ancient cities found in Italy, Harbiter, the EBM solo project of Samuele Salvel, carves a niche in the dark underbelly of electronic music. Formerly the bassist for metal outfit Scyther, Salvel’s transformation is as dramatic as it is compelling. Now, he conjures a melange of melancholic darkwave and aggressive industrial beats, spiced with the raw power of metal-infused guitar riffs. Drawing influences from Ultra Sunn, Blutengel, and Pure Obsession & Red Nights, Harbiter channels a brooding, cyberpunk energy that is both visceral and intoxicating.
His debut album, Blinded In Chains, reimagines the works from his Scyther days, transforming them into “electro alternative covers.” Salvel speaks of this transition as a natural progression, a fusion of coldwave, EBM, industrial, and metal elements. “Having such songs already written and defined helped me a lot, experimenting with synths and new sounds (for me) and not having to start from zero,” he explains. “I took the main guitar riffs of those songs and brought them into this hybrid genre. It’s been a perfect practicing field for me—even for mixing and mastering the songs by myself—and I’m really proud of the result.”
In the face of societal oppression, Harbiter stands as a rebel, unseen and daring to challenge the unjust system. Forced out of the shadows and into the perilous alleyways, he finds the courage to defy all odds. Listening to the city’s whispers, he emerges as a leader of change, sparking a revolution. Throughout this solo debut album, Harbiter expresses his refusal to be defeated, turning his words into anthems of defiance and his music into the heartbeat of an uprising.
The album opens with the ominous post-industrial soundscapes of the title track, Blinded In Chains, a brooding instrumental piece that sets the stage for the record to follow. It’s followed by the guitar-driven post-punk and darkwave of Remember Who You Are, a defiant, anthemic declaration of personal conviction in the face of criticism. This track emphasizes individuality and inner strength, urging listeners to hold on to their identity, uniting and supporting each other in the journey.
Feed The Riot intertwines industrial rock and coldwave guitars with EBM beats, crafting a vivid depiction of resistance against oppressive forces while urging defiance and rebellion. The fire of revolution burns fiercely, demanding belief and perseverance, presenting a stark choice: die or win. In the modern industrial track, Corruption, a dialogue of disillusionment and betrayal unfolds. One voice accuses another of succumbing to corruption and abandoning principles, leading to moral decay and irreversible damage.
Infection, a brief 49-second instrumental interlude, sets the stage for the majestic baroque metal of “Thirst of Power.” This track delves into the captivating allure of power and control, showcasing the dehumanizing effects of the relentless pursuit of dominance. The escalating thirst for control is illustrated through the song’s composition and emerges as a burdensome weight evoked through the music, dragging the soul toward damnation, while the recurring refrain underscores the destructive nature of this insatiable longing.
The album concludes with the ensnaring dynamism of “Chain Reaction,” a captivating Darkwave and Gothic Rock anthem featuring mesmerizing synth beats that entwine seamlessly with powerful guitar riffs. The song serves as a resounding call to arms for revolution and an unwavering quest for freedom, painting a vivid picture of the city’s call igniting an inferno within, catalyzing a chain reaction that shatters the silence and shadows. It eloquently portrays a new world born of metal and thunder, ascending to liberate our souls, symbolizing the dawn of a unified brotherhood galvanized by truth and unwavering faith in dreams, standing stronger than ever before.
With the record’s compelling narrative, Blinded In Chains marks the beginning of Harbiter’s journey toward redemption and the quest for justice. The LP, baroque and mechanical, blends the human spirit with defiance against the oppressive machine of the system. Harbiter’s debut is a rallying cry for influence and empowerment, leading listeners on a transformative odyssey from the shadows of despair to the bright light of freedom. The genre-defying album speaks of breaking the titular chains of oppression while sparking dreams of a better future — to embrace meaningful change, urging us to live lives of personal significance beyond the confines of societal expectations.
Listen to Blinded in Chains below, and order the album here:
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