BANDS: Alcatrazz, Steeler, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force
ALBUMS: With Steeler: "Steeler" (1983)
With Alcatrazz: "Live Sentence" (1983); "No Parole For
Rock And Roll" (1983)
With Rising Force: "Rising Force" (1984); "Marching Out"
(1985); "Trilogy" (1986); "Odyssey" (1988); "Trial By
Fire - Live In Leningrad" (1989); "Eclipse" (1990); "Collection"
(1991); "Fire And Ice" (1992); "The Seventh Sign" (1994);
"Magnum Opus" (1995); "Inspiration" (1996); "Facing The Animal"
(1998); "Concerto Suite" (1998/99); "Yngwie Malmsteen LIVE!"
(1998)
Yngwie is a total master of the guitar who more or less created two
new categories in the world of guitar. One would be "shredding",
which is just total speed and amazing playing ability. The other
is "NeoClassical", which is the incorporation of Classical music with metal
guitar.
Although he was probably the first shredder, he is not alone in that
area. Many players have learned to play with amazing speed and dexterity,
but Yngwie just has something extra special in his playing, that the other
guys are missing. It's hard to put into words. It's just a
certain feeling that's in his playing, that no one else can seem to create.
For me, his NeoClassical stlye is more significant than the shredding.
I'd been a fan of Yngwie's during the 80s, as well as a fan of Classical
music. Over the last decade, as I've become a "better" guitarist,
I believe that I've found my niche. While I can't play anywhere near
like Yngwie can play, I know in my heart and head that NeoClassical is
the style I was meant to play. How can it not be? I'm absolutely
in love with heavy metal and Classical music. Over the recent months,
I have become more and more obsessed with Yngwie and his style. Something
that I've noticed, and that he himself has mentioned before, is that Yngwie's
playing isn't necessarily directly related to Classical guitar, but more
to Classical violin. Although he is a fan of Classical guitar, as
I am, his style is more reminiscent of the Barocque era composers whose
compositions are very violin/harpsichord heavy. (Paganini, Vivaldi,
Bach)
What is it with these Swedish/Scandanavian guys?! Are they all
fuckin' guitar geniuses or what?!
