Blind Ego: Liquid

The long dormant side project of RPWL guitarist Kalle Wallner, Blind Ego return after a seven year lay off with Liquid, the band's third album. Interestingly for an outfit who have produced numerous offshoot projects over the years, the shadow of RPWL is never that far away from the member's other acts. Liquid continues that trend, but as with its predecessors brings enough of its own personality to step out on its own. Always skilled, but often a little muted in his main band, Wallner's guitar work is the true focus on an album that still revolves around a set of well crafted progressive rock and metal songs. A host of influences race past, Threshold, Arena, the merest hint of Symphony X, a nod to Iron Maiden even and yet, at times, through the vocal melodies there's an 80s pop-rock feel. It's quite a smorgasbord, and a tasty one at that. With Arno Menses (Subsignal/Sieges Even), Erik Ez Blomkvist (Seven Thorns) and Aaron Brooks (Simeon Soul Charger) taking turns to front Wallner's sharp songs, not only can you be assured that the vocals are of the highest calibre, they're also hugely varied. It's Blomkvist that grabs the prog metal of opener, "A Place In The Sun" and gives it a vigorous shake, his Dickinson meets Tate wail perfect for the bristling and heaviest moment on show. Menses steps up for "Blackened", his subtler tones locking in beautifully with acoustic guitar before they soar for the keyboard-guitar infused chorus that reminds of Rush at their most smooth and crisp. Brooks however only steps up the once, his more 'honest' approach closing the album out with confidence and believably on the slow build of "Speak The Truth".

With the backing band comprising Sebastian Harnack (Sylvan), Heiko Jung (Panzerballet) and Ralph Schwager (Subsignal) taking turns on bass, and ex-Dreamscape drummer Michael Schwager, the technical, yet fragile "What If", heavied up RPWL of "Not Going Away" and hard hitting swirl of "Quiet Anger" prove memorable. Although it's the biting riff and catchy chorus of "Tears And Laughter" that both hits hardest and illustrates Wallner's pinpoint fret work with most convincing results.

There's more than enough melody and intrigue to keep Kalle Wallner's RPWL fanbase happy here, his most obvious followers sure to revel in what Liquid reveals. However with a harder edge, diverse outlook and ever changing vocal cast, this is an album that delvers on many fronts and deserves the wider audience that it will hopefully find. Followers of the current prog resurgence that enjoy commercial hints and big edgy guitars should not let this Liquid run through their fingers.

Track Listing
1. A PLACE IN THE SUN
2. BLACKENED
3. WHAT IF
4. NOT GOING AWAY
5. NEVER ESCAPE THE STORM
6. TEARS AND LAUGHTER
7. HEAR MY VOICE OUT THERE
8. QUIET ANGER
9. SPEAK THE TRUTH

Added: November 29th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Blind Ego online
Hits: 2338
Language: english

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