Henric Blomqvist - All Of Your Illusions

Henric Blomqvist

All Of Your Illusions
self-released; 2014

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Henric Blomqvist is a guitarist and songwriter from Jakobstad, Finland who just released his debut solo album entitled All Of Your Illusions. The album doesn't sound like it has been influenced by ‘80s metal/rock; it sounds like it was made in 1986 as it fits all the criteria you can think of that defines that era. It’s not just one thing. Between the tone of distortion on the guitars, his voice and the overall song structure Blomqvist unapologetically plays music that he grew up with when he was a student. 

While All Of Your Illusions is a solo album but all the credit can’t go to Blomqvist. He recruited Jonas Kuhlberg to play the bass and  Roger Snellman to rock out on drums. Then there was the issue of vocals in which Blomqvist partnered with Jukka Nummi, Johan Mattjus, and Jari Tiura. Last but not least is Sven Wannäs who played organ and engineered the album.

The album first and foremost is guitar-based. There are a number of tracks, which feature some solos that are on par with something you would hear from Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen. A clear example of this is the fifth track entitled “Plenty of Reason.” The music sounds like that of a ballad as Blomqvist solos over the music. He doesn't go overboard with notes but strategically decides where to let loose with a barrage of scales and when to let the sustain ring out from a single note. 

“Thunderbrigade” may remind you of Spinal Tap in the best way possible while “Black Sky” has anthemic qualities that define stadium rock. As the album progresses there were a couple of other highlights such as “When We Were Young,” “Perfect Dream” and “All Of Your Illusions.”

All Of Your Illusions is the type of album you won’t need much time with to know if it’s something you are going to keep on listening to. People tend to love or hate this style of music. So if you still regularly pop in Iron Maiden, Whitesnake and Warrant then this is something you are not going to want to miss.