Review WHEEL “Charismatic Leaders”

Wheel stands for prog metal from Finland since 2017. James Lascelles (vocals/guitar), Santeri Saksala (drums) and Jussi Turunen (lead guitar), these guys are Wheel and they have delivered two longplayers and three EPs. With “Charismatic Leaders” the next studio album is on the way and it will be seven multi-layered and still melodic songs that don’t shy away from a lot of riff power.

“Empire” is not only the opener but also the lead single of the album. Pole Position is a good place for this song because it has a lot of Wheel trademarks. There is the massive start with aggressive guitars, leading to a calmer section as soon as the verse starts. The soulful voice of Lascelles is the counterpart to the roaring guitars coming out of the speakers. “Empire” is one of the heaviest songs the band has released so far and is certainly a first highlight on the album.

The following “Porcelain” is calmer and reflects the fragility of the ceramic leading to “Submission”. The latter is one of the album’s longer tracks, clocking in at 10 minutes, and showcases the band’s full range of creativity. “Submission” is a dark and cinematic song with soundscapes that are breathtaking. It is the masterpiece of the album and contains so many details and twists that it will keep you entertained for a long time. There is a lot to explore.

The same goes for “The Freeze” which is the last track on “Charismatic Leaders” and is introduced by a short interlude called “Caught in the Afterglow”. The song starts quiet and introverted with Lascelles showing his vocal skills in a way that he can express a feeling more than just singing words. It is like storytelling in the context of a song. “The Freeze” picks up in intensity as it goes along, but still sticks to the basic pattern, which is a feeling of desperation and melancholy.

“Charismatic Leaders” is an album that combines musical finesse with emotion and a great sense for melody. Progressive music doesn’t have to be all fretboard acrobatics, and that’s what Wheel’s third album shows. There is a way to combine musical prowess with a sense for great songs, which makes “Charismatic Leaders” a great release.