BLIND EGO is the solo project of RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner. Here he can let off steam musically to his heart’s content: his approach is much more rocky and guitar-heavy.“The Hunting Party”-Tour 2024 (support: Marco Glühmann, SYLVAN)
20 NOV 2024 | Hamburg (GER), Logo
21 NOV 2024 | Zoetermeer (NL), Poppodium Boerderij
22 NOV 2024 | Rüsselsheim (GER), Das Rind
23 NOV 2024 | Freising (GER), Lindenkeller
24 NOV 2024 | Oberhausen (GER), Zentrum Altenberg
Original price was: 17,90 €.10,90 €Current price is: 10,90 €.
BLIND EGO is back! The guitarist of the German flagship art rock band RPWL Kalle Wallner has made good on his promise and recorded a new album. Compared to his main band RPWL, “The Hunting Party” pushes the pedal down considerably in favour of rock and metal elements. The new album is his fifth studio album since his debut in 2007. He also released a live album in 2017 and his “almost-instrumental” album “Voices” under his own name in 2022. Wallner never seems to run out of ideas or the desire to produce – despite his main band RPWL, his own label Gentle Art Of Music, his recording studio and many other projects as a producer and guitarist.
The tour for the last album “Preaching To The Choir” was not under a good star. For many fans, these concerts in spring 2020 were the last immediately before the coronavirus lockdown and the last concert experiences for many months. All further BLIND EGO concerts were also cancelled, bringing the project to an abrupt halt. However, Wallner was by no means bored. Together with drummer Marco Minnemann, he produced his personal “coronavirus instrumental album” called “Voices” in lockdown, with just one song sung by Arno Menses (Subsignal).
Now his new album “The Hunting Party” will be released on 18 October with a new twist. Wallner has once again worked with author Dominik Feiner, but this time the workflow was exactly the opposite: the lyrics were written first and Wallner composed the music. “I’m always looking for new challenges, such as writing on a specific topic as part of a team for RPWL. ‘Voices’ was more or less an instrumental album and now, for the first time, I composed to finished lyrics instead of finding the lyrics for the music,” explains Wallner. You can hear this inspiration in the songs: they sound fresh and unspent, they are very varied, have hard and soft tones, are sometimes driving and quite complex rock songs and sometimes ballads. All these elements come together on “The Hunting Party” to form a very special unity. The lyrics of the seven songs can be interpreted very differently: in a very personal way, but also in an outward-looking, social way. You can always be the “hunter” but also the “hunted”. Wallner says: “I like lyrics that you can empathise with and that leave enough room for your own thoughts and speculations.”
In addition to Wallner’s exceptional and distinctive guitar playing, it is above all the talented and first-class singer Kevin Kearns who contributes to the great overall impression of the album. Kearns, who normally strikes a completely different note in his own metalcore band Cyant, turns out to be the ideal singer: he interprets the songs on “The Hunting Party” in a particularly emotional way, taking you with him through all the quiet and loud passages – sometimes straightforward, sometimes delicate, but always highly expressive and bursting with energy. They are once again joined by exceptional drummer Michael Christoph and Wallner’s long-time musical companion Yogi Lang (RPWL), who not only leaves his mark on the album as co-producer and keyboardist, but is also responsible for the crystal-clear mix and mastering.
The title track already contains both the melodic and complex elements of BLIND EGO and catapults the listener right into the centre of the album. This is followed by “The Stranger”, a wonderful classic Rock song with sing-along potential. “Spiders” is a real up-tempo rocker before the first half draws to a close with “Boiling Point”, a very dynamic Alternative-style track.
“In a Blink of an Eye” has a very unconventional arrangement, building from verse to verse until it finally unleashes its full brute fury. Kevin Kearns leads the listener breathtakingly through all the emotional highs and lows before the waves calm down and the longest song on the album closes with a wonderful guitar solo. It’s not least because of solos like this that Wallner quickly draws comparisons with Pink Floyd icon David Gilmour. “This central song encompasses this whole album very well. Life can change completely in a single moment. Not just your own, but also that of an entire society or nation. We live in very troubled and unsettling times,” describes Wallner.
This is followed by “Breathless”, which almost makes a Progressive Metal statement with its hard riffs and edges. Wallner releases the listener from “The Hunting Party” with the beautiful melancholic ballad “When the Party’s Over” into an open ending.
You would like to play the album again right away…
| Release | 18 October 24 | |
| Media | CD | GAOM081 (Digisleeve) |
| Vinyl | GAOM081 LP (red) | |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
Musik: Kalle Wallner
Lyrics: Dominik Feiner
Produced and recorded by Kalle Wallner & Yogi Lang @ Farm Studios, Freising
Mixing & Mastering by Yogi Lang @ Farm Studios, Freising
1. The Hunting Party
2. The Stranger
3. Spiders
4. Boiling Point
5. In a Blink of an Eye
6. Breathless
7. When the Party’s Over
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Following the successful studio album „Liquid” and the magical live CD/DVD at Loreley recorded in the pouring rain, BLIND EGO are back with a new album. And boy is there a new storm headed your way. Forged in the fire of two successful club headliner tours and various festivals, the BLIND EGO line-up has proven consistent and become what is probably one of the most tight-knit, hardest rocking bands on the circuit. And it’s this stability that you can hear and feel on the new tracks. For with stability comes a sense of identity. And with identity comes the self-esteem to stand taller, push further and … rock harder. Listen to a few songs and you’ll know exactly what Kalle means when he says “For me, this band is pure raw energy”.
The album’s title „Preaching to the Choir“ has different meanings, on different levels. When applied to the band Kalle Wallner says “It’s about blind understanding. When you get the right people on board, there is no need for lengthy explanations. You just hit the recording button. And when you then give the right musicians the right music … that’s when they help you take it to the next level.” No need to convince anybody, no discussions. And no compromises are necessary. You just pump it out.”
When it comes to writing the music for BLIND EGO „Preaching to the Choir“ takes on a different meaning. „A lot of bands stick to their comfort zone, giving their fans exactly what they’ve come to expect. The album’s title is a reminder to explore and trust my own development and not be afraid to challenge the fans.“ And the new album keeps that promise sporting less of a progressive feel and even showing the band to have several radio compatible songs up their sleeve. Whether it’s the Metal-like brute pounder „Massive“ or „Lines in the Sand“ with its modern spacy groove in the verse, BLIND EGO are versatile enough to go where the song takes them. While festival crowds have the head-bopping „In Exile“ to look forward to, “Burning Alive“ is almost a Pop-song. BLIND EGO shows genres for what they are: Superfluous.
Looking back to the first album in 2007, the sound and songwriting have taken enormous leaps with every album. All striving, pushing, excelling to capture the true essence and sound Kalle Wallner has in mind at that time. His growth as a musician and as a human being have now found their outlet and climax in “Preaching to the Choir”. While almost all of the material still stems from Kalle, the input from the other members is apparent. As congruent styles mix, new sides to the music emerge: an uncompromising straight-forwardness, a chest pounding, uncontainable wild strength counterbalancing the fine sense of melancholy and contemplation. They’re a rock band with all guns blazing, yet grown-up enough to take their finger off the trigger at just the right moments. There is no loud without silent, no hard without soft.
While preserving his progressive roots, Kalle Wallner’s writing has always packed a killer straight punch to the gut while never sacrificing more complicated time signatures or chord progressions to keep the head game going. A tough balance to keep. And one that he easily masters. Wallner’s versatility has the band leaning into neck-crushing hard rock riffs, on to a fine-footed groove over a progressive soundscape, immediately back to pumping iron, and then all but slam on the brakes for a gut-wrenching guitar ballad. Wallner’s true virtuosity is that he doesn’t need to prove it anymore.
As for the lyrics, Scott has mostly taken on the task of completing the words to the music. „It was a matter of giving me what I need to tap into the emotions that fuel my fire“. Whether it’s the invigorating „Burning alive“ with its carpe diem outcry or the crushing realization in „Dark Paradise“ about pouring your whole heart into a relationship doomed to fail.
„Preaching to the Choir“ is a true story of losing a battle but winning the war, enduring destruction to enjoy rebirth. It’s about real life. And it’s a glimpse into the souls of these musicians.
| Release | 14 February 20 | |
| Media | CD | GAOM064 |
| Vinyl | GAOM064LP (lim. ed. in gold) | |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
1. Massive
2. Preaching To The Choir
3. Burning Alive
4. Line In The Sand
5. Dark Paradise
6. In Exile
7. Heading For The Stars
8. Broken Land
9. The Pulse
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The power of the rising tide
The rising tide just does not stop. Why would it? The same thing goes for Blind Ego. What seemed like an interaction of progressive and avantgardistic fever dreams has grown into one of Germany’s full-blown rock powerhouses that makes its way in a manner that is as perfectly precise as it is mercilessly consequent. With the occasion of the release of Blind Ego’s new live offering Liquid Live one can now experience Hamburg and as well as the open air stage at Loreley being taught a lesson in how the tides of rock work. What a treat!
For a long time Blind Ego was an ever-changing organism, but where for years personal changes brought continuous evolutionary modifications, since the completion of the current lineup, there is now a new found consistency that has resulted from the years of development. It lies in said consistency that the machine seems better-oiled than ever. And as a spectator one can feel that kind of laid back confidence, because the tide knows: it is going to rip everything with it anyway.
Under the title Liquid Live the band now releases two spectacular recordings that were produced during the Liquid tour of 2017. In addition to the show at Hamburg’s sold out Logo the package also involves the recording of this year’s open air show at Germany’s beautiful Loreley Amphitheater. But during those shows Blind Ego does not only demonstrate its force, because more than anything Liquid Live is a testament to the band’s variability: no matter the location, be it a steamy club or a large open air stage, no matter the situation, Blind Ego sometimes sounds brutal, then switches to touching emotionality and can flavor all that with a pinch of sexiness – the flood named Liquid just cannot be stopped. It can be called an act of dramatically brilliant chance that the rain started pouring down on Loreley just as the band shifts into “Never Escape the Storm.” It is, however, no coincidence at all that every single fan stuck around to experience the show despite the storm. That is much more a sign of appreciation for that hard-working collective named Blind Ego.
On stage one can witness five musicians each of which individually steps forward bravely, which is one of the key factors that make Liquid Live a record that can barely contain its own energy. Every band member keeps pushing the boundaries of the song throughout, which does not only turn the audience into an actively involved element of the show but it also keeps the fans alert at all times and gives them very little possibility to ease tension and take a breath. That way a Blind Ego show very quickly becomes an interactive experience. The lineup composed of Scott Balaban (vocals), Michael Christoph (drums), Sebastian Harnack (bass), Julian Kellner (guitar) and guitar virtuoso Kalle Wallner is, without a doubt, the hungriest Blind Ego-cast that has ever seen the light of day.
Both the show in Hamburg as well as the Loreley concert showcase five musicians at the height of their game: rarely has European metal-infused progressive rock been played with more energy, gusto and technical refinement. This band has never been better and more mercilessly entertaining. Let the tide take you away, it is going to show you spectacular things!
| Release | 10 Nov 17 | |
| Media | CD&DVD | GAOM053 |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
DVD „Live At Logo Hamburg“:
1. A Place In The Sun
2. Obsession
3. Not Going Away
4. Don’t Ask Me Why
5. Never Escape The Storm
6. Death
7. Hear My Voice Out There
8. Speak The Truth
9. Blackened
10. What If
11. Tears And Laughter
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The Wave
Hamburg. The air is salty, a stiff breeze is blowing. It’s the calm before the storm. The tide is rising, the wave is gaining speed.
It was the cold time of year, it was 2017 and southern German Rock high-flyers Blind Ego had embarked on an extensive tour of Central Europe. The current album of RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner’s solo project carries the both concise as well as auspicious title “Liquid,” but despite the fact that the album’s name already gives away hints: the pearl of the North probably had no idea about what was coming for it last January. But after the show at the city’s dense Club Logo one thing had become crystal clear: Blind Ego had taken Hamburg. In unstoppable fashion. Like a mighty wave.
In this live recording the all star-ensemble involving Scott Balaban (vocals), Michael Christoph (drums), Sebastian Harnack (bass), Julian Kellner (guitar) and guitar virtuoso Kalle Wallner proves itself to be the hungriest Blind Ego-line up ever to have taken the stage. Rarely has one gotten to see a group in which every individual element constantly strives to push the boundaries of the big picture.
Within the confines of Logo’s intimate atmosphere Blind Ego manages to captivate every single member of the audience with its 90 minute show that is driven by the very best material taken from three albums by one of Europe’s most acclaimed guitarists.
The Hamburg show displays a band at the height of its game: rarely has European Metal-influenced Prog Rock been performed in a more energetic, enthusiastic and technically refinement manner – this band has never been better. The concert was filmed without a single cut as a one-shot-video in 4K-quality and is now accessible for everybody to stream via YouTube – as a full length clip and entirely free!
Do what the people of Hamburg did: let the power of the wave take you over – you will not regret it!
| Release | 03 March 2017 | |
| Media | YouTube | GAOM050 |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
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Fluid. Powerful. Mighty.
Kalle Wallner’s solo project returns with a new album entitled Liquid and displays a more versatile performance than ever. Seven years have run down the road since Liquid’s predecessor Numb, and guess what the exceptionally gifted guitarist of RPWL chose to do? He throws himself into the high waters of rock music! Powerfully the songs fall over the listeners’ heads, relentlessly they swirl the audience around – just to culminate in carrying them gently on a wave of fascination.
Liquid – that is the term that Kalle Wallner has chosen to put on his latest work as a name. And there is hardly a different take that is better suited to describe the different flows and streams that push these nine songs forward. One can feel the unforgiving force of mighty waves while, only moments later, the melodic intensity of the music evokes that comforting feeling that we have all felt before when floating in the delicate surf: hovering, elegant yet exciting and, yes, stirring. Everybody knows: “Water is life”, and yet the rapid power of destruction is inherent in the wet element. That also makes a good analogy for the schizophrenic nature of Kalle Wallner’s new record. At times Liquid appears to be pitch black, aggressive and heavy, while in different moments the music exudes a sense of crystal clearness and cleansing freshness. Starting with the first second, Liquid pulses elegantly and radiates the powerful intensity of the purest form of life. At the same time, though, the record allows the listeners to feel the violent anger of the artist.
Kalle Wallner took seven years to complete his third solo effort. While 2007’s debut Mirror sounded smooth and almost melancholic, the Freising-native Bavarian utilized the figurative steam hammer on 2009’s Numb and served the audience with a tough as nails monster of hard rock heavily influenced by metal. Liquid now fuses the two earlier approaches without merely being a thrown together sum of its parts. In fact the elements were organically merged – and the result contains nine pieces of music that offer everything: from mighty hard rock melodies to brutal heavy metal riffing action all the way to emotionally charged passages. By means of those tools, Liquid ultimately completes a comprehensive artistic process that saw its beginning years ago. In the center of all this there is Kalle Wallner’s both virtuoso as well as effective style of guitar playing that unifies all the energy streams in one collective soul.
On Liquid, more than ever, Kalle Wallner steers towards a definitive goal in a most determined manner, without allowing conventionality to use up too much space. Just like the programmatic fluid, the mastermind makes his way in places where maybe there wasn’t even one in the beginning of the process. That way Wallner does not only advance into unprecedented dimensions musically and combine the proven with the ambitious, but also succeeds in refining the musical framework with the roiling character of the thematic content that showcases the artist’s very personal and yet universally articulated world of emotions in the most varied facets.
In order to breathe life into his vision, Kalle Wallner has once again assembled an illustrious super-group of international professionals: Michael Schwager, formerly of Dreamscape, is once again found behind the drumset, while Seabstian Harnack (Sylvan), Ralf Schwager (Subsignal) and Heiko Jung (Panzerballett) took turns in taking over bass duties. The all star-constellation is completed by a trio of vocalists consisting of Erik Blomkvist from Sweden, Subsignal’s Dutch frontman Arno Menses as well as American import Aaron Brooks of Simeon Soul Charger. Finally, the marvelously perfect sound of the record was once again provided by Gentle Art of Music’s grand maestro Yogi Lang.
Liquid unites beauty with destruction, it marries love and violence, and it builds a common place between the heart and the brain. One thing is for certain: if only one could drink Liquid, every last drop of it would be delicious.
| Release | 21st Oct 2016 | |
| Media | CD | GAOM047 |
| Vinyl | GAOM047LP | |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
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Since 2007 runs RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner also a solo career and he is very successful with his two albums “Mirror” and “Numb” especially in metal circles. Now the two discs come on the label “Gentle Art Of Music” as a remastered and each equipped with one bonus track version on the market.
With the second album of RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner the rather prog-savvy musician puts up a gear on top of it: With special guest appearances, such as of Iggor Cavalera (Sepultura), this album is an absolutely must-have for fans of solid, melodic metal. This album is a sensible development since the emotional debut album “Mirror”, a clear snapshot of overwhelming feelings – always straight and rock. The second edition of “Numb” holds a special bonus track a surprise: Kalle Wallner’s song on the limited edition of 999 pieces RPWL album “9” will be the first to hear on a regular album, “Someone Else” fits almost perfectly in the number of the tough but honest Blind Ego songs.
| Release | 03.04.2009 | |
| Media | CD | GAOM007 |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
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Since 2007 runs RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner also a solo career and he is very successful with his two albums “Mirror” and “Numb” especially in metal circles. Now the two discs come on the label “Gentle Art Of Music” as a remastered and each equipped with one bonus track version on the market.
RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner went with his debut album “Mirror” in 2007 into new territory and thus enjoyed especially lovers of something harder sound: cut loose from the successful prog-band he freed himself with this solo-album not only from the long-cherished desire, to make an album just for themselves, but also of his personal soul ballast.
Due to the overwhelming popular demand of the Blind Ego first work, a remastered second edition with bonus track appears performed by the prominent line-up (Paul Wrightson, Yogi Lang, John Jowitt): The live version of RPWL-songs “Sugar For The Ape” on the famous in the prog scene Rites Of Spring Festival in Philadelphia, USA is another highlight on “Mirror”!
| Release | 29.07.2007 | |
| Media | CD | GAOM006 |
| Label | Gentle Art Of Music | |
| Distribution | Soulfood Music | |
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