Epic heavy/power metal project RISTRIDI has officially dropped a massive double single featuring the tracks “To Be Free” and “Thy Fate Forged In Vengeance.” The dual release offers a fierce, lore-heavy preview of what fans can expect from the project’s highly anticipated upcoming album.
Stream the new tracks now and dive deep into the mythological storytelling behind the music below.
The Lore Behind the Music: The Tragedy and Triumph of Wieland
RISTRIDI’s new double single functions as a two-part sonic narrative based on the legendary, vengeful blacksmith Wieland from Germanic mythology.
Singer ANTI says about the songs:
Part 1: “To Be Free”
Serving as a haunting prelude to the chaos that follows, “To Be Free” condenses the rich history of Wieland’s early life into a few powerful, carefully chosen words. Raised as a son of the sea, Wieland’s early years were shaped by high-seas adventure and immense danger. From enduring a brutal beating by the legendary hero Siegfried while learning the blacksmith’s trade, to being forced to kill to protect his own life and reputation, Wieland’s resilience was constantly tested.
However, his ultimate test of will and endurance came when he crossed paths with a powerful king who lured him in with false, glittering promises…
Part 2: “Thy Fate Forged In Vengeance”
They say revenge is a dish best served cold. For Wieland, it is served from the forge.
After being promised a wife and a portion of the realm, Wieland was betrayed by the very king he trusted. To ensure they would never lose such a brilliant blacksmith, the king had Wieland’s hamstrings brutally severed, trapping him in forced servitude.
But forced labor never ends well for the oppressor. Wieland used his brilliant mind to craft a pair of steel wings to escape (a nod to the classic myth of Daedalus). Before taking flight, he exacted a horrific revenge: killing the king’s sons and forging their remains into beautiful trinkets and goblets for the royal family, and impregnating the king’s daughter. The song concludes with a soaring vocal performance from Alex, screaming defiance directly into the face of Wieland’s torturer as he takes to the skies.
About the Upcoming Album: Ride The Storm
The double single gives fans a perfect taste of the upcoming full-length album, “Ride The Storm.”
Introduced by the powerful opening track “God Will Avenge Us,” the record was meticulously crafted by Ristridi alongside Anti (Don’t Drop The Sword) and Alex Meyer. Musically, the album is built on a rock-solid classic heavy and power metal foundation, drawing heavy inspiration from legendary acts like Demons & Wizards, Blind Guardian, and Symphony X.
Rather than relying on standard, surface-level fantasy escapism, Ride The Storm uses its mythological storytelling to hold up a mirror to the human experience—deeply exploring themes of freedom, loyalty, and the brutal necessity of adaptation during difficult times.
Ride The Storm Official Tracklist:
- Ride The Storm
- To Be Free
- Thy Fate Forged In Vengeance
- Silver And Steel
- King Under Mountain
- By Oath And Chain
- Clarity
- God Will Avenge Us
Release Date, Pre-Save & Support RISTRIDI
Ride The Storm will be released independently on August 21st, 2026.
Support independent heavy metal by pre-saving the album, streaming the double single, and following RISTRIDI across their official social media channels:
- Pre-Save: Pre-Save the Album Here
- Spotify: Listen to the new song
- YouTube: youtube.com/ristridi
- Instagram: instagram.com/ristridi
- Facebook: facebook.com/ristridi