{"id":13364,"date":"2024-03-01T15:40:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T15:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.progradar.org\/?p=13364"},"modified":"2026-08-21T16:10:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T15:10:03","slug":"wheel-announce-third-studio-album-charismatic-leaders-launch-first-single-empire-european-tour-dates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/2024\/03\/01\/wheel-announce-third-studio-album-charismatic-leaders-launch-first-single-empire-european-tour-dates\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheel announce third studio album  Charismatic Leaders; launch first single  Empire? &amp; European tour dates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/progradar.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Wheel_CharismaticLeaders-cover.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"635\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/progradar.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Wheel_CharismaticLeaders-cover.jpg?resize=635%2C635&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13365\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers&nbsp;<strong>Wheel<\/strong>&nbsp;are pleased to announce the release of their much-anticipated third studio album&nbsp;<em> Charismatic Leaders <\/em>&nbsp;on the 3<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;May 2024 (InsideOutMusic). The album was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel\u2019s ever-heightening benchmarks 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 and drummer Santeri Saksala\u2019s third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To mark the announcement, the band have launched the first single taken from the album, and you can watch the video for  Empire here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jYfb53AjQwc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-GB&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vocalist &amp; guitarist James Lascelles comments of the track:&nbsp;<em> This is probably the most metal song I have ever written &#8211; it is intense as all hell when it kicks in and it keeps finding new ways to punch you in the face all the way 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..&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lyrically, it is about media empires and the effect they have on wider society &#8211; 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 &#8211; a target for us to rage at that far too often, doesn&#8217;t even exist. This is not a new phenomenon by any means but it is one that seems to have been catalysed 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. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> 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 bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems). Pre-order your copy now here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wheelband.lnk.to\/CharismaticLeaders\">Wheel &#8211; Empire (lnk.to)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The full track-listing is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Empire 04:20<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Porcelain 07:12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Submission 10:46<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Saboteur 09:01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Disciple 04:12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Caught in the Afterglow 01:12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Freeze 10:35<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The band will be celebrating the release of their new album with their first ever shows in Australia (supporting label-mates Caligula\u2019s Horse) as well as their first ever North American headline shows. Later in the year the band will return to Europe for further headline dates, which have just been announced and can be found below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">31<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;October \u2013 Olympia, Tampere, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Sawohouse UG, Kuopio, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 On The Rocks, Helsinki, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Lutakko, Jyv skyl, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Finlandia-Klubi, Lahti, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 45 Special, Oulu, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">15<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Logo, Hamburg, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">16<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Melkweg Up, Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">17<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 013, Tilburg, Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">19<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Rebellion, Manchester, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">20<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Cathouse, Glasgow, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">21<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">22<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 1865, Southampton, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">23<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Underworld, London, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">24<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Thekla, Bristol, UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">26<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Kavka, Antwerp, Belgium<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">27<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Luxor, Cologne, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">28<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Colos Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">30<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;November \u2013 Backstage, Paris, France<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Komplex, Zurich, Switzerland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Legend, Milan, Italy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Backstage Halle, Munich, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Analog Music Hall, Budapest, Hungary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Chelsea, Vienna, Austria<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Hyrdrozagadka, Warsaw, Poland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">10<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Lido, Berlin, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">11<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">12<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 John Dee, Oslo, Norway<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">13<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December \u2013 Nalen Klubb, Stockholm, Sweden<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s 2019 debut,&nbsp;<em>Moving Backwards<\/em>, was instantly adored by fans of megastars from Tool to Coheed &amp; Cambria. Then, 2021 follow-up&nbsp;<em>Resident Human<\/em>received rave reviews from publications across the planet, praising its sonic evolution and bravely dystopian themes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers&nbsp;Wheel&nbsp;are pleased to announce the release of their much-anticipated third studio album&nbsp; Charismatic Leaders &nbsp;on the 3rd&nbsp;May 2024 (InsideOutMusic). The album was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel\u2019s ever-heightening benchmarks 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13366,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10,8,7,4028],"tags":[5726,5727,5728,15,5729,5725],"class_list":["post-13364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gigstour-news-news","category-new-album-releases","category-news","category-track-video-release","tag-charismatic-leaders","tag-james-lascelles","tag-jussi-turunen","tag-progradar","tag-santeri-saksala","tag-wheel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phnn7q-3ty","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/progradar.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Wheel_2024_LeadPromoShot.jpg?fit=1257%2C838&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13364"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18011,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13364\/revisions\/18011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}