Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel previously announced their third studio album Charismatic Leaders, which arrives on May 3.
Today, they launch the third single — the dramatic and brooding "Disciple."
Listen here. Watch the visualizer below.
Vocalist and guitarist James Lascelles comments, "'Disciple' is a heated debate between a current and an ex-cult member and both believe they are saving the other — they are also utterly unwilling to consider the opposing point of view. The discourse between these two made up characters is a reflection of multiple topical debates in modern society and the writing process has given me a chance to reflect on my own behavior; particularly how I respond to ideas I strongly dislike."
The album's first single "Empire" was released last month, and the video currently has over 250k views. Watch it here. Their second single, "Porcelain," was also released earlier this month. Listen here.
Charismatic Leaders 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 end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala's third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.
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-orders are live here.
Wheel will be celebrating the release of their new album with their first ever shows in Australia, supporting labelmates Caligula's Horse, as well as their first ever North American headline shows. Those are posted below.
WHEEL ON TOUR:
5/2 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
5/5 — Philadelphia, PA — The Foundry
5/6 — Vienna, VA — Jammin Lava
5/7 — New York, NY — Mercury Lounge
5/8 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
5/9 — Montreal, QC — Petit Campus
5/10 — Toronto, ON — Adelaide Hall
5/12 — Chicago, IL — Beat Kitchen
5/13 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry
5/16 — Denver, CO — Moe's
5/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Underground
5/20 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
5/21 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
5/22 — Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone
5/23 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post
5/25 — Seattle, WA — Barboza