Wheel - Resident Human

I've been really looking forward to writing about this album since I first laid ears on it a few weeks ago. I hadn't heard of this band until someone in a Tool group recommended them and me being the new music sponge that I am, dove in head first. 

It just so happens they had just released this brand new album Resident Human and I got sucked in, listening to the entire thing front to back and then immediately again after, I needed to absorb it more. The rhythms, the bass tones, the strong vocals, the percussiveness, and excellent song structure, it was to me, everything I love in a prog band/album. 

I'm also going to do something a little different with this blog post and add some photos I took while out on a run and blaring this album on headphones. I highly recommend listening to this album through headphones, and loud. I experienced it differently, able to notice little nuances and really soak it in without distraction. 

First a little bit about the band. They are a four piece from Helsinki, Finland consisting of vocalist James Lascelles, Santeri Saksala on drums, Aki "Conan" Virta on bass and Jussi Turunen on lead guitar. This is their second full length album, and as stated on their website, this album is a bit more rough around the edges, as they chose not to over edit or manipulate it. They state "We believe that the thing that gives our band it's unique chemistry is where the groove lies between the players and we wanted listeners to be able to really feel that through these recordings". I really respect and appreciate that they did that, as it does give a much more organic sounding album which I think may be part of what really drew me in. 

The album starts off with Dissipating, each instrument slowly becomes introduced, starting with a subtle chord progression, cymbal brushes and then in comes, an echoing pound of the drums, leading us into the journey we are about to embark on. The bass in this song is a warm melodic rhythm that carries the vocalists highs so smoothly. It builds to heavier faster rhythms, chugging guitar, driving drum fills, and clocking in at just under 12 minutes is an excellent album opener. 

Movement is aggressive from the get go, and is one of the single's off the album. The video resonates strong emotions we may be all feeling these days. "Another eulogy, testament to our inaction, stoking the fire building around us..." singer James Lascelles voice does a tremendous job hitting the heavier tones as well as the soft. The ending of the song is very Tool reminiscent, but at the same time they've made it their own. 

Ascend comes next, a great heavy percussive track that keeps things flowing well, with a strong chorus. 

Hyperion, one of my favorite songs on the album, is filled with an emotional slower build that extends to another 12 minute track, faster riffs and James vocals shining once again, very reminiscent to some 90's/00's hard rock bands. This song is great example of how they are able to tell a story with their music and one thing that draws me to the progressive genre.

Fugue has a really awesome bass line that flows throughout the song, and stands out more than any others on the album. The bands ability to stay connected in the groove is highlighted on this one, I've found myself repeating it a lot.

The tile track follows, more heavy Tool influence on this one, particularly in the vocals, some of the riffs, and song structure. I don't see this as a bad thing, and in a way is fulfilling as who knows how long it will be until we get another Tool album, this helps fill that void greatly. 

Old Earth is a perfect outro for the album, the piano feels as though it would accompany the last few pages of a book of the end of a movie. I love when albums leave you with this feeling of completion and they've really done well with that. I felt the album could have maybe been a song or two longer, but I won't complain and instead continue to listen and let it grow on me more. 

I highly recommend any music lover give this album a spin. It left me feeling satisfied, and that I hadn't heard an album like this in a while and it's the kind of content I crave. 

Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance to listen to it. I for one am now a fan of Wheel and will be looking out for their future releases.

Thanks for reading, happy listening. 

Steph