LIVE REVIEW: Wheel @ The Exchange, Bristol

As the decade starts a new, the finger is already being pointed towards who are the bands to watch over the next 10 years. With so much fresh talent on the scene, you really are spoilt for choice, and the imagination can go a bit mental with the idea of catching a band destined to be a sensation when they’re still playing to crowds in the double digits. One can easily get the sense that WHEEL, the latest prog metal outfit to emerge from Finland, are destined for much bigger things. Or if they’re not at least destined, then they are aiming for something far grander than a simple headline show at The Exchange in Bristol.

With this being WHEEL’s first headline tour, the band are clearly excited and are treating this tiny venue like their very own arena. Bringing along another fresh act in THE NEW DEATH CULT, this tour offers a looking glass into two talents bursting with potential as they begin the long journey of asserting themselves as talents to watch.

THE NEW DEATH CULT are a weird combination of old FOO FIGHTERS, GASLIGHT ANTHEM, GOTH ROCK, and THE CLASH when at their most creative. There aren’t two songs that sound the same, and their masked attire completes the mystery. Not only do these guys play music you can’t put your finger on, but you won’t be able to put your finger on the band members identity either. For a sound that is as diverse as this, THE NEW DEATH CULT are great at pacing their set, moving fluidly from the pop-rock sounds of tracks like Zeitgeist to the more riff heavy Light Spills Over to create a dynamic performance that keeps everything moving at pace.

THE NEW DEATH CULT seem aware of their broad sound, and work well to wrangle it all into a short 40 minute set. The band do well to maintain the visual attention, but the masks seem to detract a lot from this. Whilst aesthetically pleasing, the masks create a disconnect between the band and audience, and it’s one that isn’t overcome during their set. Considering the band are still so young, these are all creases that can be ironed out over time. For now, THE NEW DEATH CULT are a diverse enough to standout and just need to hammer out a truly captivating live performance to marry with their interesting sound.

Rating: 6/10

WHEEL already feel grander than the venues they’re playing, and this is their debut headline outing. If you haven’t familiarised yourself with the band yet, you should do. They’re prog metal assault is intriguing and rewarding, with enough TOOL worship to make any prog fan drool over the prospect of a band capable of running in the same league as Maynard as his group. Having already shown British audiences at Bloodstock and Damnation festivals what they’re about, WHEEL now feel ready to provide a full flavour of what they can do. And it’s rather delicious.

Playing a broad selection of their Moving Backwards record and also a few choice cuts from their first two EPs, WHEEL bring a full 90-minute set to Bristol and a light show to boot. And when everything is running at full whack, WHEEL are utterly captivating.

Opening with Lacking, the band immediately impress with a blistering lightshow that is locked in step with the percussive heart of the band. Tracks like Vultures and Please are boosted even further by the lights, and it allows WHEEL the flex their muscles and show just how tight a unit they are. The rock steady and faultless bass performance offers an unbreakable spine that props up the rest of the band, and allows both guitarists to flourish and show off their chops. The drums keep everything in perfect time, and as they jump between time signatures becomes a source of constant enjoyment to witness the musical talent on display from the man behind the kit.

The fact that WHEEL have only just released their debut album and can confidently play a 90-minute set without boring the audience is actually a bit jarring. The band are so talented, and have come out the gate so well formed already that it is genuinely exciting to see where the band can go. Catch WHEEL whilst you can, because even if they don’t become massive, this band will become a cult. And you will kick yourself for not seeing them in tiny venues like these.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Serena Hill Photography here: