MEER – Wheels Within Wheels

There are bands in the metal and, particularly, in the progressive metal world which are not really metal or “prog”, however are loved and respected by many fans of the genre.

MEER is one of these bands. It’s the albums we turn to when we feel upset, vulnerable or in need of a hug. For me personally it’s a comfort band: I like my riffs and a bit of heaviness at times, but there’s always space for something emotional, something beautiful and deeply meaningful I can relate to.

“Playing House” was my introduction to MEER (admittedly, that was the case for many people I know) and it was an all-round fantastic record – playing on the heartstrings while being very beautiful and melodic.

So I was very excited to sit and listen to the band’s new album, “Wheels Within Wheels” carefully. I had to look it up and the name of the album is an idiom which means something hidden which eventually turns the situation more complicated than it seems to be, and I find this name very fitting to the themes of the album.

In the context of this release, Wheels Within Wheels feels to me (and I might be totally wrong, but that is the joy of music – everyone finds something for themselves) like the anxiety and emotional challenges we often face in life. The struggle to fit in, but also to be yourself, to be accepted and loved, and to find peace.

“Wheels within Wheels” feels heavier than the predecessor, however in my opinion it’s not a bad thing. There are a few louder and more intense songs, such as ‘Behave’, however the sound fits the darker theme, which is about being stuck in a cage made by an overly controlling person. Knut Kippersund’s vocals express a variety of emotions: from sadness to anger, and does a fantastic job of relaying the feelings of someone who is oppressed. Similarly with ‘Chains of Changes’ which is about trying to fit in. The song has interesting composition, some great melodic hooks and very prog-rock-style synths towards the end. Golden Circle is another louder song, which has a great chorus, which would also sound good on radio.

MEER band members

“Wheels within Wheels” does a great job at building the emotion: after louder and more “aggressive” songs, there are calm moments. ‘Take me to the river’ is about finding that happy place and reflecting on the simpler, more joyful times, and ‘Come to Light’ (which is one of my favourite songs of the album), is about calming down and finding your inner peace. It starts with beautiful piano intro and soothing vocals of Johanne Margrethe Kippersund and then leads to the emotional climax:

> Make your mind,

> Take your step

This song almost made me cry, as it carried me to a beautiful place and encouraged me to ease my mind of the trouble, one small bit at a time.

Another soul-piercing song on the record is ‘Today Tonight Tomorrow’. I heard it live for the first time in February at Midwinter Prog festival, and I was blown away by Knut’s delivery – he puts the emotion into his singing so masterfully, I could not help but feel what he feels. And a guitar solo in the end (which aren’t most common for MEER) only made the song more memorable.

If someone asks me, “What do you like about MEER?” I would say the composition, amazing vocals (vocal harmonies between Johanne and Knut are true art), beautiful orchestration (the strings make everything better!) and the absolutely unmatched emotional impact their music leaves on me.

Lyrically, the themes are something we can all relate to: struggling to fit in, dealing with emotional abuse and finding our own happy place and the sense of belonging. I can’t think of many bands that can make me so emotional and at the same time enjoy the music and all the intricacies of the composition.

The Norwegians did it again: if you need a musical hug, or you want to cry a little bit, “Wheels within Wheels” can keep you company. The album is complex but at the same time easy to digest, hitting heavy on the emotions and overall a very pleasant listen.

And remember that you are valuable and there is a lot of good music and kind people in the world who you can turn to if you are struggling. As for the album, the bar was already high after “Playing House”, but I feel that the new release managed to touch me in its own way, and for that I am very grateful.

Track List:

1. Chains of Changes
2. Behave
3. Take Me To The River
4. Come To Light
5. Golden Circle
6. To What End
7. Today Tonight Tomorrow
8. World Of Wonder
9. Mother
10. Something In The Water
11. This Is The End