Italian Progressive Metal quintet Only One Black are emerging from the vibrant Italian Metal scene with their debut album, “Set Me Free,” released on October 07, 2025. Comprising members aged between 17 and 25, the band started with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal covers, gradually evolving into a Progressive Metal force with a unique voice.
“Set Me Free” demonstrates their compositional ambition and technical skill, blending melodic passages, intricate rhythms, and expressive vocals. Tracks like “Just A Mask” and “Dark” highlight their ability to craft emotionally resonant music, while the closing mini-suite “Set Me Free Pt. I → Exist Again → Pt. II” shows maturity and vision beyond their years. With live performances and cover videos, including a faithful rendition of PFM, Only One Black are steadily making a name for themselves in the prog/metal world.
First of all, congratulations on the release of Set Me Free! Can you tell us how it feels to finally have your debut album out?
First of all, thank you for all your words and appreciation, we are flattered! We feel relieved and satisfied for having released the album, it is the result of years of hard work and passion and though we’ve had our difficulties and a change of line up we couldn’t feel more proud of how it all turned out. We’ve also received much praise and appreciation for our work and it gives us the energy and motivation to proceed forward and keep going.
The album opens with “Silver Moon.” What was the inspiration behind the opening track, and how did you decide to start the album with it?
Silver Moon has been written by our guitarist and composer Leonardo Piermaria, the inspiration came after seeing a brigth full moon over a hill near Piazzo (Lauriano, TO). Its otherwordly beauty reminded him of the deep connection that exists between human and nature and the sense of peace that comes after spending time in it. We liked the idea of opening the album with Silver Moon and Moonbeam, two tracks linked together and ending it also with two tracks linked together, the mini suite Set Me Free that names the album.
Progressive Metal is a complex genre. How do you approach balancing technical proficiency and emotional expression in your songs?
It’s a very natural process balancing the technical and emotional parts in our songs. The composer is Leonardo Piermaria and he starts by visualising and delving into the theme he’d like to write about and then music and words come along naturally, mirroring the energy and identity of that theme.
Many tracks, like “Just A Mask” and “Dark,” show a wide range of dynamics. How do you compose your songs to achieve this balance?
As we said before, the songs mirror the energy of the theme we’d like to put into music, Just a Mask and Dark are clear examples of this intention. Their dynamics walk along the rage, disgust or sadness they talk about.
The closing suite (Set Me Free Pt. I → Exist Again → Pt. II) is ambitious for a debut. What was the process behind creating a multi-part suite?
Set Me Free pt.1 and Exist Again have been written by the first singer of our group and Set Me Free pt. 2 came as an answer, a response to those two songs; it is the point of view of Leonardo about the themes of moving on, letting go and being set free by the chains of the past.
Your lineup shows a mix of youthful energy and maturity. How do your different backgrounds and ages influence the band’s sound?
Each of us gives their contribute to the overall sound, our respective tastes melt together in the final product. It all starts with the musical ideas of Leonardo and each one of us contributes with suggestions and opinions on how the songs could be arranged.
Camilla, your vocals range from melodic to powerful. How do you approach interpreting the lyrics to convey emotion effectively?
It’s very easy for me. I try to give justice to the essence of the songs by empathising with the feelings they bring. They resonate with me due to my personal life experiences so I try to canalize what I feel and give the energy that seems to me more authentic.
Leonardo and Davide, your guitar work balances riffs, solos, and textural layers. How do you decide who plays which part, and how do you collaborate during writing?
The main composer is Leonardo, the parts are then rearranged and divided between us based on the needs of the songs. Each of us has a different playing style and gear and we try to work in the best interest of the music we’re bringing to life.
Luca, your drumming has been praised for technical precision and stylistic flair. How do you develop your approach to complement the band’s overall sound?
First of all, thank you so much for your words! By playing the song I’m working on over and over, I analyze what feels more appropriate and functional, then for the final result I keep the solutions that convince me the most.
Leonardo Capriotti, your bass is often both solid and melodic. How do you approach constructing lines that support and enhance the songs?
I take inspiration from various bassists and every song has its specific influence, such as Felipe Andreoli for Just a Mask. I also pay attention to the intentions the other instruments have and I try to build a bridge between the melodic and rhythmic parts.
The album blends influences from bands like Dream Theater, Rush, and PFM. Can you share how these artists shaped your sound and compositional approach?
Our main influence has been Images And Words by Dream Theater. We like that kind of Progressive which is evocative and inspired because we think that technicality is a way to better express the sentiment underneath, not a mere soulless exercise.
You started with covers. How did performing songs from other bands prepare you for creating original material?
Playing covers of other groups has contributed to the development of our stylistic figure and our personal musical background.
Many fans have seen your live performances and cover videos, including PFM. What have you learned from playing live, and how does it influence your recordings?
What we’re trying to do is playing live as much as we can and reach out as many people as possible. For the future we have in mind to move towards ambient and horror ambient music.
What are your favorite moments or tracks on the album, and why?
Each member has a favourite songs, surely the ones that make us all agree are Dark and Set Me Free Pt. 1. Dark was the first song to be released as a single, the good words it received from the public spurred us to continue our journey. Set Me Free Pt.1, on the other hand, was the first song to be written, still with the old members, and has been the subject of several reinterpretations, changing several times both in terms of structure and arrangement,
until arriving at this final version which satisfies us.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for touring, new music, or expanding your sound?
We’ve had many second thoughts and new ideas during the recording sessions that changed the final result, so that we’ve run to the studio to modify some last details a week before we’ve released the album! One anecdote is that the day Without You was recorded Camilla (the singer) had sore throat and although it wasn’t the easiest condition to work with it gave more roughness and pathos to the song.
Are there any specific challenges or surprises you encountered while recording the album that you’d like to share?
We want the listener to be able to empathise with the songs and that they can listen to the album as a whole, enhancing not only the singing or the solos but the arrangement in its integrity. We would like the album to be an inspiration for those who listen to it, when writing a song the technical side has to be done, not as a personal display of one’s own abilities but always at the service of music.
Finally, what would you like new listeners to take away from “Set Me Free”?
We would like to thank you for the not obvious question and for appreciating our music!
With “Set Me Free,” Only One Black demonstrate that age is no barrier to ambition. Their debut album combines technical skill, compositional maturity, and emotional depth, delivering a Progressive Metal experience that is both energetic and expressive.
The band is already building a presence on stage, with live performances and cover videos showcasing their versatility and passion. With influences rooted in the giants of Prog and Metal, and a clear vision for the future, Only One Black are a young band to watch — ready to make a mark both in Italy and internationally.
Read our Review of the album here: https://progrockjournal.com/review-only-one-black-set-me-free/