Press release –
WHEEL OF TIME is the brainchild of Beijing-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Jimmie Hong, who launched the project in 2022 while participating in the mentorship program of ex-MEGADETH guitarist Kiko Loureiro. Inspired by the collaborative spirit of projects like TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Jimmie envisioned a progressive power metal project that would bring together top musicians from around the world, working remotely across continents and time zones.
Named after one of his favorite fantasy novels, WHEEL OF TIME blends the technical precision of progressive metal with the melodic sweep of power metal, symphonic grandeur, and subtle Eastern melodic elements. The band draws from influences such as METALLICA, DREAM THEATER, STRATOVARIUS, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, OPETH, and SYMPHONY X, while forging a sound uniquely its own.
After releasing the single “Grand Cosmos” in 2023 and the EP The Enlightenment later that year, WHEEL OF TIME now unveils its debut full-length album Asymmetry on November 12, 2025. The album was composed entirely by Jimmie Hong, produced and engineered by Tom MacLean (ex-HAKEN), and recorded in collaboration with an international lineup of musicians.
The opening track “Grand Cosmos” is a cosmic-philosophical elegy inspired by DREAM THEATER’s “The Alien,” exploring humanity’s search for meaning in the vastness of the universe. Are we alone in the asterism, or just a dust in a lost dream? asks the song, with Craig Cairns on vocals and Derek Sherinian delivering a breathtaking keyboard performance.
“Freedom Day” follows with a tension-filled anthem of inner conflict and release. Featuring Michele Luppi (WHITE SNAKE) on vocals and Derek Sherinian on keyboards, the song builds to a cathartic guitar solo that expresses the breaking free from personal imprisonment.
“Blind Sight,” the first song written for the album, explores themes of illusion, self-discovery, and liberation. The song opens with lapsteel guitar textures influenced by David Gilmour, and features Ignacio Rodríguez on vocals, Alexandre Aposan on drums, and Ricardo Pinto on keyboards. “Blind Sight” is about the confusion between rationality and emotion, the illusion of the world we see, explains Jimmie.
The high-energy “Addicted!… ” channels the spirit of STRATOVARIUS, with Timo Tolkki contributing an iconic guitar solo alongside Derek Sherinian’s keys. Originally demoed during Jimmie’s mentorship with Kiko Loureiro, the song combines melodic power metal with dark, introspective lyrics influenced by NICK CAVE. A unique moment came during mixing when Jimmie decided to reverse parts of Derek and Timo’s solos, resulting in a more dynamic and unexpected interplay.
“… To the Awakening” serves as a cinematic second chapter to “Addicted!… “, featuring orchestration by Argentine composer Marcos Barilari and bass by Tom MacLean. I wanted a different structure, tempo, and atmosphere for this track, says Jimmie, whose lyrics evoke the transition from darkness to inner peace. Life just seems to fade away. All that lasts forever is the sound of the waves.
“The Night of Eternity” was the first track where Jimmie reached out to Derek Sherinian. A meditation on impermanence and self-realization, the song draws from Buddhist concepts and ksana, the smallest unit of time. Vocals by Farhad Hossain convey the emotional intensity of standing on the brink of transformation. I’m afraid of the finally free.
Encouraged by Kiko Loureiro to explore national characteristics, Jimmie composed “China Moon,” originally written in the style of Song Dynasty lyric poetry. Featuring Chinese Guzheng by Ariel Tsao, orchestration by Marcos Barilari, and vocals by Eszter Vegvari, the song paints a portrait of an ancient poet drifting on a river under a moonlit sky. It was inspired in part by the animated film 30,000 Miles from Chang’an, adds Jimmie.
The instrumental closer “2063” draws inspiration from the Star Trek universe and humanity’s imagined first contact with extraterrestrial life. The song echoes “Grand Cosmos” with recurring riffs and features performances by Tony MacAlpine on guitar and Clark McMenemy on drums. I wanted someone who could handle both metal and jazz fusion, and we found that in Tony MacAlpine, says Jimmie. The track also includes a recorded voiceover simulating an astronaut conversation, enhancing its cinematic quality.
Asymmetry was created through a truly global collaboration. Jimmie Hong worked with musicians across five continents and more than ten time zones, while independently writing, arranging, and producing the entire album from his home studio in Beijing. Notably, WHEEL OF TIME will be used as a case study at the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool in 2025, highlighting new models of high-quality independent album production.
Throughout the process, Jimmie was guided by a philosophy of narrative-driven songwriting, using technical mastery and emotional depth to explore themes of time, destiny, and the self. As he concludes, the album is called Asymmetry because life, music, and creation are rarely symmetrical. That is where their beauty lies.
With Asymmetry, WHEEL OF TIME delivers one of the year’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant progressive metal releases. This is a sonic journey that transcends borders, genres, and expectations.
About WHEEL OF TIME
WHEEL OF TIME is a progressive power metal project founded by Beijing-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Jimmie Hong. Blending the technical precision of progressive metal with the melodic strength of power metal and symphonic elements, WHEEL OF TIME creates expansive, narrative-driven music that crosses genres and borders. The project features collaborations with world-renowned musicians including Derek Sherinian, Tony MacAlpine, Michele Luppi, and Timo Tolkki. With a truly international lineup and a sound that integrates subtle Eastern melodic influences, WHEEL OF TIME explores themes of time, destiny, and self-discovery. The debut full-length album Asymmetry releases November 12, 2025.
Asymmetry Tracklist:
- “Grand Cosmos” (ft. Derek Sherinian) – 06:40
- “Freedom Day” (ft. Derek Sherinian & Michele Luppi) – 05:40
- “Blind Sight” (ft. Alexandre Aposan) – 06:52
- “Addicted!… ” (ft. Derek Sherinian & Timo Tolkki) – 04:45
- “… To the Awakening” (ft. Tom MacLean) – 07:12
- “The Night of Eternity” (ft. Derek Sherinian) – 07:38
- “China Moon” – 05:03
- “2063” (ft. Tony MacAlpine) – 06:44
Asymmetry Credits:
- Executive Producer: Jimmie Hong
- Producer: Tom MacLean
- Recording Studio: Twelve-tone Studio
- Engineer: Tom MacLean
- Mixing: Tom MacLean
- Mastering: Tom MacLean
- Album Cover Artist: Aleh
- Orchestration Composer: Marcos Barilari
