Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel are pleased to announce the release of their much-anticipated third studio album “Charismatic Leaders” on May 3rd, 2024. The album was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel’s ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023.
The result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist James Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala’s third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.
To mark the announcement, the band has launched the first single taken from the album, and you can watch the video for ‘Empire’ below.
Vocalist & guitarist James Lascelles comments on the track: “This is probably the most metal song I have ever written – it is intense as all hell when it kicks in and it keeps finding new ways to punch you in the face to the end! Santeri did an incredible job with the drum track on this one and playing it live is really going to take some work in the rehearsal room..“
“Lyrically, it is about media empires and their effect on wider society – all of us are influenced to some degree, even if we would rather not admit it. Issues that require nuance are presented as binaries and opposing views are made into caricatures – a target for us to rage at that far too often, doesn’t even exist. This is not a new phenomenon, but it seems to have been catalyzed by the modern landscape of media, the internet, and populist politics. As you might be able to tell from the mood of the song, this pisses me off immensely and it was cathartic to vent about it.”
“Charismatic Leaders” clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the “Rumination” EP tracks as a bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems).
Pre-order your copy now HERE.
