(c) Anastasya Korol
Melted into a trio, but more compact and creative than ever: Wheel are without question one of the prog shooting stars of the last few years. Their modern mix of rock and metal, which is reminiscent of Tool as well as TesseracT and Haken, recently reached an exciting level on “Resident Human” and the EP “Rumination”. The third album „Charismatic Leader“ now lets go of the last earthly shackles and grows beyond himself with audible enthusiasm.
The comparatively short opener “Empire” at just under four and a half minutes immediately shows that a different wind is blowing here. Angry, sometimes slightly throaty vocals and fine melodies go hand in hand as the band gradually increases the tempo and even flirts with djent. Pretty much everything that defines Neo Prog comes together here, almost brutal at times, but always delivered with a fine edge. “Disciple”, another short piece, uses the dramaturgy of the genre and works towards an anthemic climax. The tension is palpable in every minute, you can’t get the powerful finale out of your mind.
But Wheel are even better in XXL format, and the final “The Freeze” underlines this impressively. The second ten minutes of the album takes a lot of time, only slowly develops the action and slowly rises from the concentrated reduction. Powerful prog fanfares, astonishing string sorcery and bold, pulsating neck hits intensify the atmosphere. “Porcelain” is right in the middle of the madness of the guitar-heavy tides, constantly swaying back and forth, but rarely going out of its way. Here it’s the waiting, the build-up of emotional contradiction, that gives you goosebumps amidst sawing guitars and surprisingly clear commitments to the roots of the genre.
The big hit is here, with announcement and emphasis. Within a very short time, Wheel created their own special niche and are now cultivating it with growing enthusiasm. From the first to the last second, pure tension reigns in this rollercoaster ride of emotions, as intense as it is technically adept, at the same time fragile and oppressive to the fullest. “Charismatic Leader” lets off steam, reaches out courageously and, above all, manages to keep the tension high even in the most complex, expansive arrangements, to strive for real emotions and to combine atmosphere with instrumental art. This means that Wheel will not only be at the forefront at the end of the year.
Rating: 9/10
Available from: May 3rd, 2024
Available via: Inside Out Music (Sony Music)
Website: wheelband.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wheelband
Slider-Pic (c) Anastasya Korol
Category: Magazin, Reviews