Article: Leanne Ridgeway
WHEEL OF SMOKE was born in Leuven, Belgium in June 2005, and have since dwelled within the Belgian underground heavy rock scene. They create a smoking mix of heavy, 70’s & 90’s tinted rock, blended with a dash of space and psychedelics. The music varies from mesmerizing and melodic to pumping, straightforward rock ‘n roll. WHEEL OF SMOKE invites you to join their realms of cosmic inferno…
In March 2011, a first album ‘In Sense‘ was released, with a second full-length ‘Signs Of Saturn‘ in 2013. The band’s 2015 ‘Enter The Pyramid‘ EP was followed by their 2016 album, ‘Mindless Mass‘. Then they changed things up a bit – since joining on in 2017, Johan Overloop, analog synth builder and player, has given their sound a more spacious and broader spectrum, opening doors for farther-reaching writing concepts.
The new album ‘Sonic Cure‘ explores the more adventurous side of psychedelic rock, incorporating post-progressive psych-rock elements and harmonic vocals. We’re told the story within the album is based on an unknown, far-off planet with giant loudspeakers embedded into its surface, serving as sound-healing ritual temples for its alien inhabitants.
I’m not sure what else has been brewing in the land of Belgium, but Polderrecords seems to have a lock on the underground heavy stoner scene over there. Let WHEEL OF SMOKE take you on the journey for the quest of Sonic Salvation, starting with a stream of their title track “Sonic Cure“…
‘Sonic Cure‘ Tracklist:
01. Sonic Cure
02. Brainshaker
03. Beamed
04. On a Wave
05. Electric I
‘Sonic Cure‘ will be available November 29th from Polderrecords. Limited to 300 pieces total, the 12″ Vinyl Release will be on high quality 180g vinyl pressed in Belgium, with a 350g heavyweight matte cover jacket and printed inner sleeves. All copies come in reusable poly bag with label sticker and include digital download code.
– 25 copies Brown Smoke w/ Green/Orange Spots (Die Hard Edition)
– 100 copies Brown Smoke (Band & Label Exclusive)
– 175 copies Standard Black
– 5 copies Test Pressing
The album will also be available on CD in a limited digipack edition of 500 copies, as well as on most major streaming platforms. Limited vinyl and CD physical formats pre-order is available at Polderrecords website [HERE]. Digital pre-order is on Bandcamp [HERE]. The band also has some upcoming live shows, dates are listed below.
WHEEL OF SMOKE
Filip Remans – Guitar, Vocals
Erik Heyns – Guitar, Vocals
Jouk Opdebeeck – Drums
Tristan Michiels – Bass, Vocals
Johan Overloop – Analogue Modular Synths
Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
Nov. 30: Leuven, Belgium @ JH SOJO – Album Release Show (w/ Atomic Vulture, The Wires) [info]
Dec. 14: Diksmuide, Netherlands @ De Onderbroek (w/ Great Ocean Drive) [info]
www.wheelofsmoke.com
