Yngwie Malmsteen: agony and the ecstacy

News:
18-10-2008:
It's always interesting to check out the reviews of CD's before you buy them, so how interesting is is to read through the 1 to 5 star grades for Yngwie's latest release. perpetual flame on amazon.com, whose current overall rating for the CD is 4.5 stars from 11 reviewers.

OK so first up, the gushing Five Stars review.
Bmaniii says:

Master guitar god, and one of the founding fathers of the neo-classical metal movement, Yngwie Malmsteen got Tim "Ripper" Owens for vocal duties. Best choice for singer Yngwie could have made. Never caving-in to pressure, and always staying true to his signature sound and style, fans and critics alike know what to expect from a Yngwie release. Yngwie is going to sound...well, like Yngwie, always holding true to his integrity.

"Perpetual Flame" is composed of 12 melodic tracks, clocking in at just under 70 minutes, and is pure guitar genius. Some tracks, such as "Four Horseman" are heavy with rolling double bass and extremely fast-paced riffs. Yngwie's strongest performance, is without question, "Heavy Heart." It is one of Yngwie's finest instrumentals to date, opening with classical guitar over-dubbed with layered electric. An amazing composition that takes the listener away from their surroundings, as they get caught up in the musical moment. Another instrumental track that cannot go without mention is "Caprici Di Diablo." It's 4 minutes and 27 seconds of pure shredding technique and bliss.

If anyone needs confirmation that the fire does indeed still burn then the first thirty seconds of the albums opener "Death Dealer" will confirm it in huge great neon letters. Teaming up with ex-Judas Priest singer Tim "Ripper" Owens for the first time has proved to be something of a match made in Yngwie heaven. If ever a vocalist could deliver the sheer passion and power alongside his guitar then Tim has to be that man.

Tim complements his sound best

Death Dealer
This song comes with all the classical undercurrent that has become his trademark. The first scream from Owens marks his arrival in real style.

Damnation Game
This song has an opening riff to match its title that continues the pace of the first song without pausing for breath.

Live To Fight
This song is dark and sinister and it starts off with a Black Sabbath style bell tolling in the distance.

Red Devil
This song is more of a straight-on heavy rock number, that has the Ripper in great form. The rest of the band is equally as good and is made up of Yngwie played on bass also and Derek Sherinian played keyboards and Patrick Johnsson Continuing as drummer.

The Touring lineup is as follows Yngwie Guitars, Tim Owens Vocals, Michael Troy on keys, Bjorn Englen on bass, and Patrick Johnsson as drummer.

Four Horsemen
This song has Yngwie riding his Fender at characteristically breakneck speed.

Priest Of The Unholy keeps the pace going with a tight sound and good vocals to match.

Be Careful What You Wish For
This song keep the pace and momentum from the last song going.

Caprici Di Diablo
This song is an instrumental and is loaded with classical overtones and sounds physically impossible to play. It goes without saying that Yngwie somehow pulls it off with all his usual lightning speed. I guess that's why Yngwie is one of if not the best ever on the guitar.

Lament
This song has that richness of sound and remarkable precision that is so familiar to fans of Yngwie. It too is an instrumental in the classical tradition and with the same complexity as its predecessor. It follows on superbly with the pair marking an album highlight.

Magic City
This song has Yngwie once again singing on the album and is a fairly good song and at least Yngwie can sing better the Zakk Wylde.

Eleventh Hour
This song has The Ripper, back on vocals with a lusciously eastern vibe. It has you dreaming of minarets, sand, heat, and mystery.

Heavy Heart
This song takes us back into the instrumental as only, and I mean only, Yngwie can play them. The atmospheric "Heavy Heart" ends the album magnificently and is probably one of Yngwie best instrumentals to date.

This album is an example of what a guitar driven album should be like lot's of big solos and big sound and tight and clean vocals and this album is also another example of Yngwie's undeniable mastery of the guitar. The instrumental tracks will underline just how on fire Yngwie is.

however the less than complimentary

1 star

review

E McKee says:

Let me start by saying I am a HUGE Yngwie fan since 1984...I have met the man, hosted him at my CD store and seen him live numerous times., he is an amazing musician. This album is a representation of all of his critics comments (it is lazy, no new ground, pompous, boring). Yngwie had 3 years to write (apparently recorded like 38 songs in the studio) and we get this mediocre release. Tracks 8 and 9 have the SAME main riffs (track 9 is just a little slower) Yngwie conducted an interview saying "he writes deep meaningful lyrics and it is what he works hardest on" The lyrics are cheesy thru the whole CD. Ripper did a good job with what he had to work with, but the vocals are WAY over processed. This is my least favorite album released by my favorite musician...He didn't play any new track live (last week in Dallas) and also has no sound samples on any of his sites...I can see why "Perpetual Disappointment" Yngwie I know you don't listen to other peoples music, but at least go back and listen to some of your own work (Rising Force AMAZING, jazz, blues, classical, fusion...Magnum Opus "WOW"...Alchemy (REBIRTH - fresh, fast, furious)...Attack & Unleash the Fury Fantastic, FUN, great lyrics, great vocals) Sorry but I can't express any more frustration about how I feel about this "new" CD.

Note, I don't have my copy yet...