BLIND EGO is the project of guitarist Kalle Wallner, also of Progressive Rock band RPWL. Both are bands I had never heard of prior to receiving BLIND EGO’s debut, “Mirror”, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I can for certain say that I expected more than this.

BLIND EGO play what can best be described as radio-friendly, commercialized Alternative Rock; the kind that feels right at home on American Rock-radio stations. There are minor progressive touches here and there, but such popular acts as COHEED AND CAMBRIA and 30 SECONDS TO MARS (both bands I really like) are much more proficient in the progressive-isms. What’s surprising is, as simple as the music on “Mirror” is, there were sure a lot of musicians involved. The band itself is composed of five members, and there were four others that helped out as “guests”. Many 90s bands managed to pull of a very similar sound with fewer musicians, and were also better at it.

Everything sounds pleasing enough with “Mirror”, but there’s little to nothing to fit the taste of the Metal crowd. Wallner states on the band’s website that BLIND EGO is a very personal project for himself, which is all fine and dandy, but it doesn’t necessarily make a good album. Now I don’t want to leave the impression that “Mirror” is a bad album, but unfortunately it found its way to the wrong webzine.

(Online May 4, 2007)