YNGWIE MALMSTEEN: Yngwie J Malmsteen 's Rising Force (GUITAR HERO): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After having played with Steeler and Alcatrazz, the young protégé of the producer Mike Varney decided in 1984 to go solo and form his own band, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising. Previously in the band Alcatrazz, the young Swede had already shown his impressive skills on the 6-string, the song 'Hiroshima Mon Amour' having certainly been the cause of some nightmares for many guitarists.

But in this first album he pushes the limits even further. Everything is brilliant from start to end. During the 8 tracks that have make up this first opus, 6 instrumentals and 2 sung tracks (a choice of his record company, Yngwie wishing to include more lyrics), the guitarist overwhelms the listener with his class and speed. In a state of grace, he pushes even further the approach initiated by Ritchie Blackmore and creates a new musical style, the neo-classical Metal, by mixing classical influences drawn from Bach and Paganini (whom he thanks in all simplicity, as well as J. Hendrix besides), and electric interpretation.

From the incredible 'Black Star', and its introduction with the dry guitar and its linger soli, Yngwie sets the scene; an alternation of openly classical passages and hyper fast soli, the whole wrapped up in emotion. On the guitar level, it's a party. He alternates techniques; Legato (technique close to the Tapping and which consists in linking the notes by playing only with the left hand), Trill (musical ornament, imagined in the 16th century, which consists in alternating very quickly the principal note and the note situated above), Sweep (attack of the strings always in the same direction, rather than to use the round trip)... And this, without this display of dexterity was never done at the expense of the melody and the technique.

Whether it is through 'Far Beyond The Sun', with its frenzied rhythm and its guitar/keyboard duels, 'Evil Eye', of which we already find the trace on Alcatrazz's 'Live Sentence', 'Little Savage' and its alternation of lingerings ambiences and FM sounding keyboards, or 'Icarus' Dream Suite Opus 4', and its passage taken from Albinoni's Adagio, each track is a success.

The two singing pieces ('Now Your Ships Are Burned' and 'As Above, So Below') are not mismatched. At most, we can regret the repetitive character of the lyrics and the weak mixing of the voice on this last title. But Jeff Scott Soto, then 18 years old, manages to stand out thanks to his powerful and deep voice, despite the fact that his parts were recorded in half a day. Indeed, far from the image of egocentric star that sticks to him, the guitarist allows his musicians to express themselves. Thus, Jens Johansson, future Stratovarius, gives the album magnificent keyboard parts ('Evil Eye', 'Far Beyond The Sun').

With this first masterpiece, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, will impose his superhuman technique and his talent of composer. He will be the precursor of a whole myriad of Ersatz, like Tony Mac Alpine and Vinnie Moore, to quote the most talented. But also a huge source of inspiration for all the guitarists of the neo-classical and true metal wave. The only weak points of the album are perhaps to be found in the somewhat mechanical style of the drums and in the sound which sometimes lacks a little power. This first opus will reach the 60th place of the American charts, something quite exceptional considering the proposed style, and will be nominated for a Grammy in the category "Best Rock Instrumental Performance". It will propel the young Swede directly to the rank of God of the 6 strings. So don't hesitate, if you like the guitar, if you're a technical enthusiast, or if you're looking for emotion, this record is for you. If it is not the case... Try anyway. - Official website

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN

YNGWIE J MALMSTEEN 'S RISING FORCE

POLYDOR

GUITAR HERO