Moving Backwards
Moving Backwards builds its songs around rhythm and pressure. Wheel combine heavy guitar, prominent bass and detailed percussion with a vocal approach that can be melodic or rougher when the music rises. The familiar influence of Tool is clear, but the band have enough control over their own arrangements to make this debut worth following on its own terms.
Vultures is a direct introduction to the heavier side. The guitars have weight, while the rhythm gives the song a firm direction without removing its sharp edges. The longer Wheel opens the music out more gradually. Its percussion-led beginning establishes a patient pulse, allowing the heavier passages to arrive with a clear sense of purpose. The drums do more than keep time; they give the arrangement much of its identity.
Tyrant makes equally good use of space. The bass stays strongly present as the guitars move between atmosphere and a harder sound, and the song takes time to reach its more forceful ending. The length usually feels supported by the changes inside it. Skeletons offers a different kind of tension, concentrating on an eerie instrumental mood rather than a large vocal statement.
Where the Pieces Lie is more compact and aggressive. James Lascelles brings a rougher edge to the singing, giving the album another level without losing its melodic focus. Lacking then takes the longer route to the close, with percussion, low bass and sharper guitar parts helping the final sequence build. The heavier moments gain force from the quieter material around them.
The main reservation is how closely the album follows a recognisable sound. Some riffs and vocal shapes feel too familiar to make a distinct impression, and the consistent tones can narrow the differences between songs. The bass is clear, but its sharper edge occasionally competes with the rest of the mix rather than sitting comfortably inside it.
Even so, Moving Backwards has a strong rhythmic foundation and several effective long-form arrangements. Wheel understand how to move from restraint to weight without making the changes feel arbitrary. The debut is most convincing when the percussion leads the way, giving the familiar progressive-metal language a physical pull. It offers a good balance of melody, atmosphere and carefully controlled force.
