WHEEL: Charismatic Leaders (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The arrival of a Wheel album is always a small event for their fans and fans of alternative progressive metal. Two years after a minimalist EP, the Finns are back with a third studio album entitled “Charismatic Leaders”, an album without a credited bassist since the departure of Aki Virta. The program includes six tracks and an interlude, which, without marking a real break with their previous productions, reveal a real evolution towards a heavier, more diversified metal with broader influences.

James Lascelles' band finally seem to be freeing themselves (a little) from their influences, and so much the better. The quartet's personality asserts itself from album to album, even if they evolve in the same alternative metal fringe as Tool. While 'Empire' shows great energy, with its Karnivool-like shifts in mood, tribal tempo and pachydermic bass, it's the ten minutes or so of 'Submission' that sweeps the listener along in a slow, hypnotic and disquieting heavy whirlwind. The syncopated rhythms and single-note djent riffs add a sense of urgency to the atmosphere, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats right up to the finale. Equally dark, 'Saboteur' demonstrates Wheel's evolution, relying on a strong melody, ominous bass and heavier-than-ever guitar to depict an even darker mood on the central bridge, as might Crippled Black Phoenix.

If 'Disciple' is still inevitably reminiscent of Tool with its wiggly groove, the finale 'The Freeze' is bloodcurdling with its heavy, epic ambience, in a post-rock vein with a long atmospheric evolution on its first part, and reminiscent of the Australians from Karnivool later on with post-djent ambiences and (finally) a most intriguing solo at its heart.

As usual, the Finns' production, by Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah), is beyond reproach, incorporating that little something extra that makes the sound a little dirtier, adding to the overall authenticity of a perfectly balanced mix concocted by Forrester Savell (Karnivool, TesseracT). On the interpretation side, there's nothing to say. Santeri Saksala's impressive work behind the drums, coupled with the heavy presence of the bass (as powerful as ever, despite Aki Virta's departure), have always contributed to Wheel's unique sound. James Lascelles also varies his vocals, sometimes within the songs themselves, going so far as to offer various oscillations in the roughest passages, between Dave Growl (Foo Fighters)-style screams and extreme distortion.

“Charismatics Leaders” isn't yet the perfect album, but it shows just how well Wheel know where they're going, by further asserting their musical identity. The quality of the songwriting shines through at every moment, and the album is a real pleasure to listen to, each time delivering new discoveries of arrangements and subtle sequences. Probably still lacking in originality to compete for the highest honors, the album nevertheless takes Wheel to the next level. - Official website

WHEEL

CHARISMATIC LEADERS

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE METAL