Let me start by saying that instrumental albums are just not my thing. Which is not a great start when you’re reviewing a guitar-based instrumental album. However, there are loads of people out there who lap up this type of thing, so I’ll try to be as fair and objective as I can. 

So let’s start by telling you a bit about Daniel Palmqvist. As you may guess from the name, he’s from Sweden but I won’t hold that against him, despite the hoodoo his country have over our nation’s footballers This, his debut album, was written in just a couple of months, spread out over Winter 2005 and Spring 2006. The 12 tracks were produced by Daniel Flores, who also contributes drums and keyboards. The recording was done in both Flores’ and Palmqvist’s own seperate studios, before being mastered by Mats Lindfors. 

Palmqvist cites the likes of Malmsteen, Lukather, Metheny and Huff as his inspiration, amongst others although I must admit when I heard the opening couple of tracks in particular, the name that immediately sprang to mind was Steve Vai. 

Technically, Palmqvist is excellent, as anyone putting out a guitar-based instrumental album invariably is, of course.  As the album progresses you get to hear him display an amazing array of styles and there’s some great melodies along the way. 

But…and you knew this was coming…for me the guitar is an awesome weapon which adds to songs like nothing else, but I simply get bored of instrumental after instrumental, no matter how well played or melodious. A song needs words and a singer, it’s as simple as that in my eyes. That may be a very simplistic view but in my opinion, Palmqvist would be a fantastic addition to any band’s lineup, someone who could provide soul and feel to any song, whilst able to really rock out when needed. I could really see him in a band like Ten for example, providing some killer support to a band who play a whole variety of songs and styles. 

So, in summary, I guess I’m not really the person to do this album or Daniel Palmqvist the justice he deserves. He is undoubtedly a brilliant guitarist and the whole album is exquisitely played throughout, but I had to force myself to get to the end for the sake of this review and I would have turned it off long before then under normal circumstances.  But please don’t let that put you off if you are into guitar instrumentals, as this would make a great addition to the collection of any axe worshipper.

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Track List

Welcome
Devil's Dance
Moment of Clarity
If Things Were Different
Riddle Me This
Carte Blanche
After the Rain
Truffle Shuffle
Behind the Mirror
Song for Pongo
Words of Wisdom
A Landscape Made from Dreams (Farewell)

Line Up

Daniel Palmqvist –  Guitars.
Daniel Flores – Drums/keyboards
Johann Niemann – Bass
Andreas Olsson – Bass 
Johannes Stöle – Organ
Kaspar Dahlqvist – Keyboard
Andreas Lindahl – Keyboard