Wheel
Charismatic
leaders. These are the dictators, demagogues and false idols who, around the
world at this very moment, are stoking division and igniting war in the name of
nothing but self-gain. They're also the unmistakable target of Wheel's latest
album of the same name: a seven-song prog metal opus that strives for all
things right in a world gone wrong.
Since forming in
2015, Wheel have swiftly grown from underdogs of Helsinki, Finland, to an
international tour de force. The angular riffs, unforgettable melodies and
adventurous scope of the trio's 2019 debut, Moving
Backwards, was instantly adored by fans of megastars from Tool to Coheed
& Cambria. Then, 2021 follow up Resident
Human received rave reviews from publications across the planet, praising
its sonic evolution and bravely dystopian themes.
Charismatic Leaders was
meticulously crafted to meet Wheel's ever-heightening benchmarks. Its songs date as far back as 2020, and
recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal
(Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by
Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before:
singer/guitarist James Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen, bassist Jere
Lehto and drummer Santeri Saksala's third album represents their heaviest and most
conscious music to date.
Already, Wheel
have toured the world with such prog metal idols as Epica, Leprous, Vola and
Soen, and it's easy to imagine the irresistible hook of "Disciple" or the
explosive guitars of "Submission" only amplifying the excitement of their
shows.
Wheel's The Dark Side Tour 2026 will take fans deep
into the band's musical universe, showcasing songs rarely heard on stage next
to classics from their catalogue. Wheel will revive hidden gems, creating an
intense and immersive live experience. This tour promises a unique journey for
longtime followers and a thrilling discovery for newcomers alike.