The good, the classic, the orthodox DOOM METAL cannot be taken seriously if it does not contain in one song different themes from riffs, where in another parallel universe some different and minimal music group would release at least three pieces of it! Also, if DOOM does not have to tell you a dramatic – full of images – story, then something is wrong. Fortunately, in the case of WHEEL this above hypothesis seems to be confirmed on their new album successfully. Therefore, we will talk about another album that tends to “preserve in time” by leaving its mark with its artistic legacy in the modern history of the HEAVY / DOOM Underground world. This release completes the “sacred five” of the late 2010’s along with other notable releases from (relatively) newly-formed bands such as SPIRIT ADRIFT, ECCLESIA, DREAD SOVEREIGN and EVANGELIST.
The new third work of the Germans is impressive and loaded with dynamic and live-breathing sound both in the original recording made by guitarist Benjamin Homberger and in the mixing / mastering by Dennis Koehne. A production full of depth but also volume, mainly in the riffs. Even in terms of vocals, if someone told me that Robert Lowe had a mime or twin brother, after listening to Arkadius Kurek I would not object to him. Without exaggeration, at first when I heard the voice of this talented gentleman, I was so confused that I thought he was the singer of the legendary SOLITUDE AETURNUS! Third and best record (“golden” rule), enriched with the “warmth” of the embrace of inspiration. Tracks like the opening one or “She Left In Silence”, “Aeon Of Darkness”, “Hero Of The Weak” but also the Sabbath-ian “maze-like” epilogue “Deadalus”, are not written every day. Songs with “soul” that spark the imagination with the iconoclastic stories they describe. In contrast to their eight-year-old album “Icarus”, here we find them more up tempo but also more mature and simple in terms of musical ideas. In addition, the interference of brutal vocals has been removed from their musical content.
The lyricism, the pure “live” production, the theatrical “warm and deep” vocals, the atmosphere of the melodic lines, the incomparable quality of the compositions, the feeling of MORGANA LEFAY, MERCYFUL FATE, PURESSENCE, PAVLOV’S DOG and (mainly) SOLITUDE AETURNUS’ are pervasive throughout the album . An overall mix of elements that will undoubtedly satisfy the old “demanding” listeners, but will also excite the young ones. Personally, I will definitely be looking forward to their next release to discover if they choose to be the “most resemblant” clone of SA or start creating their own personal style even more. I think all the prospects are there – the choice will be theirs though…
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: WHEEL – Bandcamp Page
