Related Albums
Alcatrazz - No Parole From Rock N Roll
(Grand Slamm - 1983)
A Young Malmsteen teams up with Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet for the release of this incredible hard rock album. One might describe this effort as "stripped-down" or "raw" Malmsteen. Coupled with Bonnet's flavorful lyrics and no holds barred delivery, it makes for an exciting album.
Island in the Sun: starts out with prominent keyboard, enter Bonnet's distinctive vocals, on to catchy chorus "Sail away on an island in the sun. . ."
General Hospital: begins with an awesome, lone riff from Malmsteen, before Bonnet sings from out of nowhere the refreshingly original, totally unexpected line, "I had walked in a room that was occupied by those about to die."
Jet To Jet: not sure what this song is about, but a great track nonetheless. Also found is a technique using both guitar and drums (1:58) that Malmsteen applies later in Fire and Ice's title track, Fire and Ice: (0:10).
Hiroshima Mon Amour: a frequent criticism of people who don't like Malmsteen's guitar playing is that he is all speed and no feeling. The notes from Malmsteen's guitar at the beginning of this song could be used as a classic example of a guitar being played with every ounce of human emotion able to be channeled into a guitar string, and then some.
Kree Nakoorie: the first of two songs on the album to deal with supernatural creatures.
Incubus: The album's instrumental track; clocks in at 1 minute, 23 seconds.
Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live: a fascinating song that visits the topic of substance abuse without taking a condescending approach. Excellent guitars and keyboards found in the solo.
Big Foot: begins with a great guitar riff and drum beat before the entrance of Bonnet's relaxing, yet eerie vocals. The song is being sung as if addressed sympathetically to a Himalayan big foot!
Starcarr Lane: reflective song contains the great line "Just a young boy's memory, summer days chasing rabbits through the fields. . ." captures everyday events from youth and places them into song. Song demonstrative of Bonnet's style of injecting passion into the songs.
Suffer Me: the album's only ballad; sung and played with great emotion.
Highlights: General Hospital, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Big Foot.
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Rating: 10.0 |
Johansson - The Last Viking
(Heptagon Records - 1999)
Where have I heard that golden voice? Wait-- it's Goran Edman! Joined by brothers and former Yngwie guns, Anders and Jens Johansson. Mike Romeo joins the group on guitars.
The Last Viking finds former Malmsteen band-mates continuing with the Yngwie sound with a little Deep Purple thrown in (see keyboards in Burning Eyes)
The Last Viking: Excellent keyboards and Fire and Ice type verse to start the song as Edman continues to give confident vocal delivery throughout the track. As for the lyrical content, these guys are from Sweden!
Burning Eyes: organ very Deep Purple-esque. Edman singing with some soul.
Valhall Scuffle: some double bass and organ kick this instrumental off.
Fading Away: acoustic introduction, Edman joined for some interesting harmonies; classical keyboards; excellent song-writing.
Forest Song: Europe-sounding keyboards at one point (see Final Countdown). Edman sounds very natural on this track. Subject matter reminds me of the line from Marching Out's Anguish and Fear ". . .I live by the nature the moon and the sun" (2:56).
In the Mirror: Fading Away Part II. Reflecting upon mortality.
Close to You: vocals at the beginning very monotone, almost like a punk-rockish; Edman quickly returns to form in the chorus. Experimental-sounding.
Carry Me: more lyrics from the heart with underlying harpsichord.
Winter Battle: classically-influenced instrumental with a touch of Odyssey's Krakatau mixed in.
Alone: chaotic keyboard conveys similar melody to Scorpions' Can't Live Without You.
Highlights: The Last Viking, Fading Away, Forest Song.
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Rating: 9.0 |
Mark Boals - Ring of Fire
(Frontiers Records - 2000)
Boals is joined by Tony Macalpine on guitars to carry on the flame. Malmsteen fans should not be disappointed with this album's style.
Ring of Fire: a return to Trilogy's medieval imagery on this strong opening track.
Atlantis: one of the more ground breaking tracks of this album. Legato chorus and interesting rhythms.
Bringer of Pain: nice break after the solo.
Betrayer: keyboard echos Boals' screams. Vocals reminiscent of Ronnie James Dio briefly (1:10) "It's so easy to break the heart of a lonely man."
Keeper of the Flame: slower song; a potential metal flagstaff, ala Judas Priest's I'm a Rocker. Boals once again lays down one great scream for aspiring singers to attempt to emulate: (1:43).
The Hunted: Iron Maidenesque track in the beginning; fast tempo, and plenty of keyboards.
The Quest: classically influenced, rhythmical, fantasy lyrics.
Dreamer: shows Boals will sing high even without Malmsteen.
Death Row: another classical introduction prior to offbeat rhythm and unique chorus. Written from the perspective of someone about to lose their life through the justice system.
Alone: best track on the album. Minor key signature with vocals that truly relay the pain written about in this song.
Battle of the Titan: fast paced with lots of fast keyboards.
Highlights: Ring of Fire, Keeper of the Flame, Alone.
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Rating: 9.0 |
A Guitar Odyssey - A Tribute to Yngwie Malmsteen
(Dwell Records - 2001)
This album is composed of various bands attempting Yngwie covers-- some quite successfully. An added treat are three covers from the aforementioned No Parole from Rock N Roll. Additionally, there are two covers from Rising Force, three from Marching Out, two from Trilogy, one from Odyssey and one from Eclipse.
Big Foot, covered by Chris Amott: stays true to the original and singer Richard Bengtsson does an excellent job covering Bonnet.
Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live, covered by Stormwind: think of this song crossed with the delivery of Odyssey's Rising Force and you have this cover. Nice keyboard addition to the solo (2:29).
Hiroshima Mon Amour, covered by Wicked Ways: enthusiastic vocal delivery on this well-chosen cover.
Icarus Dream Suite, covered by Treasure Island: not followed note-for-note, but a valiant attempt at this great song.
Little Savage, covered by Firewind: sounds remarkably like the original-- very nice attention to detail.
Disciples of Hell, covered by Mayadome: contains an interesting beginning-- first riffs channeled through the right speaker, then a small classical section, before bursting in with scream, guitars, drums. Maybe went a little overboard on the number of backing vocals on the verses and chorus.
I am a Viking, covered by Pathos: this sounds like a speed metal version.
Anguish and Fear, covered by Destiny: some liberties were taken with this song.
Fire, covered by Daniel L. Dalley & Power: a job well done on another cover.
Dark Ages, covered by Carljohan Grimmark of Narnia: good vocal phrasing and fine job overall.
Rising Force, covered by Evergrey: captures the energy of the original.
Bedroom Eyes, covered by Mike Chlasciak: vocals mixed a little loudly.
Yngwie 2000, by Mattias "JA" Eklundh: some of this instrumental sounds Vai-like.
Highlights: Big Foot, Little Savage, Rising Force.
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Rating: 9.0 |
