Wheel Announce Debut Album, Release New Single Vultures

by Cameron Arndt
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Finland-based progressive metallers Wheel have announced details of their upcoming debut album. 'Moving Backwards' will be released February 22nd, 2019 via Odyssey Music Network. It follows the group's two EPs, 2017's The Path and 2018's The Divide. The album will see the band expanding their unique collage of prog rock, grunge and film scores that have seen them compared to metal icons Tool.

The first music to be released from the album is new single 'Vultures.' The restless, nervy energy of the track is underscored by grinding bass and drums while frontman James Lascelles' lyrics address online witch hunts that can cause judgment and demonization, particularly among young people. The powerful video for the song depicts one such person, a girl who is subject to the taunts vilification of her peers.

Watch the video for Vultures here:

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It's a powerful statement, one which sets the tone for some of the complex themes the band will address on their album. The band previously confronted the media's portrayal of inhumanity in Syria on early single 'Please' and on Moving Backwards turn their attention to censorship and institutionalized mind control.

“Censorship in academia is becoming increasingly common,” explains Lascelles. “If it continues, filtering out into films, comedy and music – we’ll end up in a place where nobody can say anything anymore. The lyrics for ‘Tyrant’, with lines like “silence will become the banner” are heralding what’s to come. On this album, rather than looking at an environmental or economic dystopia, we’re anticipating more of a social one.”

The band was formed by Lascelles after he relocated from England to Finland to pursue music as a career. In Helsinki, he met like-minded musicians Mikko Määttä (bass), Santeri Saksala (drums) and guitarist Saku Mattila - who was eventually replaced by Roni Seppänen.

 

 

“We’re not really sure where we fit,” shrugs James. “Or whether it’s metal or it’s rock, because it’s both… or neither ha ha! Well it’s both, one or the other depending which point in the track you’re up to. Karnivool are one of my favourite bands of all-time, as well as Radiohead and even Alice In Chains for some of the riffs. Fans of those kinds of groups will definitely understand what we’re trying to do. While we wait for that next Tool album, we thought we’d  just make what we’d want to hear!”

 

 

The band will be promoting their debut album on a European tour throughout March and April along with Swedish art-rockers Soen. This will include a date London's Islington Assembly Hall on 25th March,

Tickets are available here: http://www.wheel.band/

MOVING BACKWARDS TRACKLISTING:

  1. 1. Vultures
  2. 2. Wheel
  3. 3. Tyrant
  4. 4. Up The Chain
  5. 5. Skeletons
  6. 6. Where The Pieces Lie
  7. 7. Lacking

For more on the new album and the band visit: http://www.wheel.band/

Cameron Arndt
Author: Cameron Arndt
Cameron Arndt is a musician and freelance writer from Glasgow, Scotland. He writes for his own music review website (www.rockandrolltraffic.com) and also contributes to Music Talkers.