RESIDENT HUMAN

I have a feeling that this album will generate a lot of attention once word gets out and fans of heavy prog and prog metal give it a good listen or five. It is really, quite good. Very good, in fact. I read several reviews around the web and the consensus is just that.

Wheel brings us a very strong, sophomoric effort in this follow-up to their debut, "Moving Backwards". This effort is more contemplative with a very nice balance of mellower, atmospheric moments and wall-of-sound heaviness. There are three 10+ minute tracks full of great themes and highly complex, but musical, movements. Fans of Tool and Danny Carey will absolutely love the polyrhythms throughout the album. The drum work on this album... wow, Santeri Saksala is a monster talent.

Speaking of Tool, there is no doubt that there are a lot of similarities between Wheel and Tool. However, Wheel has their own signature sound, there is no doubt about that. In terms of atmosphere, I find myself often thinking of Fear Inoculum's proggy and jam-like moments while listening to this album. But I also find myself thinking of some of the epic work by Karnivool in Sound Awake at times.

This album has a looser feel than the predecessor and the listener gets more of a sense of a strong groove that you can't help but be drawn into. Don't get me wrong though, the interplay between the instruments and the production is tight and clear despite the looser, more organic feel.

As I listen to Resident Human multiple times, I realize that there is more to unpack than may be evident on first listen. Like any strong prog album, it gets better each listen as you choose to focus your attention on different things. Drums and bass alone are work a focused listen. As a rhythm section they are superb. There is a lot of talent here.

Give it a listen. If heavy prog, prog metal, poly-rhythmic goodness with smooth vocals (no death growls here) are your thing, you will enjoy the ride!