WHEEL was formed in 2006 under the name ETHEREAL SLEEP by Marcus and Arkadius, former members of the Power Metal Band AVANITAS from Dortmund, and Benjamin, former member Dortmund's Thrashers McDEATH. The common goal of the trio was to create old school, heavy, emotional music different from their former bands and so traditional Doom Metal was the only logical consequence. In 2008, after several rehearsals with more or less talented drummers, Cazy joined and guitarist Timo finally completed the line-up for the first time ever.