HUMAN WHEEL

3.5 stars. I have to thank Progmetalhead (Steve) for bringing this Finnish band to my attention a couple months ago. This is TRUSTIES third album and it's a concept record about a man who's forced to be on the "Human Wheel" for eternity and witness mankind repeat the same mistakes over and over. How frustrating would that be. What I like about this album is that it continues to reveal things to me the more I listen to it. I also like the RUSH flavour that I hear especially with the guitar work.This needs to be played loud.

"Radiobeings" kicks in quickly as the tempo picks up. Love the tone of the guitar, kind of like what you hear on a TILES cd. Vocals come in around 1 1/2 minutes. Nice chunky bass too. The contrasts work really well. A RUSH flavour 3 1/2 minutes in then we get this gorgeous dreamy sound a minute later with synths. It kicks back in heavily at 5 1/2 minutes. Ripping guitar before 7 minutes. "Autopilot" features prominant keyboards as the vocals join in. The guitar takes over for the piano and we get a heavy ending. "Freefall" opens with the guitar making some noise as the drums pound. Reserved vocals join in. The guitar becomes very upfront and I like it. Check out the bass before 3 minutes. Nice guitar work with bass late. "Rituals & Routines" opens with a barage of drums then it settles in with vocals. TILES comes to mind with the guitar here. Chunky bass as well as the guitar solos over top after 2 1/2 minutes. This goes on until vocals return after 4 minutes. Nice. A stampede of drums 5 minutes in. "Human Wheel" is an instrumental. Dark atmosphere early before some sparse piano comes in. A heavy sound of drums and guitar 3 minutes in. It settles right down to end it.

"When Sense Meets It's Maker" opens with vocals and a powerful sound that comes and goes. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes with synths. Back to that earlier sound before 3 minutes.The guitar is swirling around 5 1/2 minutes in. "Them Or Us" puts the focus on the vocals early. It kicks in around 2 minutes. Some excellent guitar follows then synths. "Djemniee" is relaxed yet powerful with laid back vocals. The guitar cranks it out after 3 minutes. Nice. "This The Last Round ?" is the shortest track but one of my favourites. I like the melancholic keys and synths. "You Can Only Lose" is a great tune too as the guitar comes in with attitude. Drums then vocals follow. "Endless Run" features this lazy guitar melody that goes on and on as drums then vocals join in. The chorus is brighter. Fantastic sounding guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. It settles later to the end. "Reinvention Of The Wheel" opens with synths as heavy drums and guitar come in. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes with vocals. Some riffing then the guitar cries out followed by vocals. It kicks back in before 8 minutes.

I really feel this is more of a Heavy-Prog album like RUSH or TILES, or even heavy Neo-Prog like ARENA, regardless I have to say these Finns have to be proud of what they've created here. Just don't go into this expecting too Metal of an album or you'll be disappointed.