This is a first for me, as I never reviewed a Chinese musician before now. In fact, WHEEL OF TIME is the brainchild of Beijing born guitarist Jimmie Hong. He has thought out all of the Progressive Metal music on "Asymmetry", and has done a cracking job at getting the right people in to make his dream come true. You only have to look at the list of musicians underneath this review. Prepare to be amazed, because I know I was/am. And just think; this is just the first you have ever you and I have heard of this band. Unless you already heard the opening song "Grand Cosmos" as a single in 2023, or even the EP "The Enlightenment", also from 2023, which houses some of the songs that you will encounter on this "Asymmetry" album. As I'm not known with the earlier releases, I can't tell you whether the personnel making music is the same as on this current album.

The Progressive Metal that WHEEL OF TIME produce has a very solid foundation of good and versatile drumming with the appropriate bass playing next to it, but that is not all. No, the keyboards are providing an extra layer to the foundation. One where the guitars can do their job properly and freely, where the solos can be delivered with excellence and where the singers can make sure they shine. And that does make "Asymmetry" stand out in a world where there are so many releases on a weekly basis. But I have to admit that I am thoroughly amazed that someone who has been able to enlist such an extensive list of high profile musicians has to resort to releasing their product by themselves.

Because let me as frank as I can: Progressive Metal of this high calibre and quality needs to be heard by every Prog enthusiast, but also by every Melodic afficionado. The songs are all bloody brilliant, to say the least. The production is clear and transparent, but also very clean. It means that although this is Progressive Metal, the ProgRock fan should also be able to enjoy what WHEEL OF TIME is offering on "Asymmetry". And as the vocals are all done with clean voices that all sound as if they are in the right place, the Melodic Rock fan as well as the Heavy Metal lover should be able to appreciate what "Asymmetry" has coming through the speakers. Need I say more?