Metal Anarchy

Wheel have premiered a new video for their new song “Empire.” This track is from the band’s new album “Charismatic Leaders,” which will be released on May 3.

Vocalist/guitarist James Lascelles commented:

“This is probably the most metal song I have ever written – 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..

Lyrically, it is about media empires and the effect they have on wider society – 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 – a target for us to rage at that far too often, doesn’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.”

“Charismatic Leaders” Track Listing:

01. “Empire”
02. “Porcelain”
03. “Submission”
04. “Saboteur”
05. “Disciple”
06. “Caught In The Afterglow”
07. “The Freeze”

Tour Dates:

Australia (with Caligula’s Horse):

04/25 Melbourne, AUS – Max Watts
04/26 Camperdown, AUS – Manning Bar
04/27 Newstead, AUS – The Triffid

North America:

05/02 Orlando, FL – Conduit
05/05 Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
05/06 Vienna, VA – Jammin Java
05/07 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
05/08 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
05/09 Montreal, QC – Petit Campus
05/10 Toronto, ON – Adelaide Hall
05/12 Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
05/13 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
05/16 Denver, CO – Moe’s
05/19 Phoenix, AZ – Underground
05/20 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
05/21 Los Angeles, CA – 1720
05/22 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
05/23 Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
05/25 Seattle, WA – Barboza

Europe/UK:

10/31 Tampere, FIN – Olympia
11/01 Kuopio, FIN – Sawohouse UG
11/02 Helsinki, FIN – On The Rocks
11/07 Jyvasklya, FIN – Lutakko
11/08 Lahti, FIN – Fiia-Klubi
11/09 Oulu, FIN – 45 Special
11/15 Hamburg, GER – Logo
11/16 Amsterdam, NET – Melkweg
11/17 Tilburg, NET – 013
11/19 Manchester, UK – Rebellion
11/20 Glasgow, UK – Cathouse
11/21 Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
11/22 Southampton, UK – 1865
11/23 London, UK – Underworld
11/24 Bristol, UK – Thekla
11/26 Antwerp, BEL – Kavka
11/27 Cologne, GER – Luxor
11/28 Aschaffenburg, GER – Colos Saal
11/30 Paris, FRA – Backstage
12/02 Zurich, SWI – Komplex
12/03 Milan, ITA – Legend
12/04 Munich, GER – Backstage Halle
12/05 Budapest, HUN – Analog Music Hall
12/06 Vienna, AUT – Chelsea
12/08 Warsaw, POL – Hydrozagadka
12/10 Berlin, GER – Lido
12/11 Copenhagen, DEN – Pumpehuset
12/12 Oslo, NOR – John Dee
12/13 Stockholm, SWE – Nalen Klubb