In an interview with Chicago Tribune freelancer Jay Hedblade, Wallinger revealed that he suffered a brain aneurysm in February 2001. After several months of writing for the band, he felt unwell, and asked his friends to call an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. This led him to require surgery wherein the surgeons had to block a nerve near the optic nerve. Despite what would appear to be a full recovery, he lost his peripheral vision on the right side of both eyes. Although the aneurysm meant that he had to suspend all work for nearly five years, he eventually resumed touring in 2006.
