When Yngwie Malmsteen burst onto the scene with the California band Steeler (an album I bought real time in 1983), he clearly had established a new medium. That of the shredder. The super fast soloist. Essentially Malmsteen was to heavy metal what Al Di Meola was to jazz fusion. And God was that the most tiring and dull discussion of my college years. Who's the fastest - and the greatest - guitarist. I talk about that in detail on Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy posting. Unfortunately that aspect takes away from some actual decent songwriting from Malmsteen (as it does for Di Meola). This isn't all shred. Sure he shows off here and there, but there's some good power metal tracks present that makes it a keeper. I'm saying that having owned it for 37+ years now, thought this listen did not result in a nostalgia bump. I remain objective on this title. If you haven't heard the album, carve out the time and give it a chance. Having said all this, I never did hear anything else by him. I'll probably grab some CDs out of a thrift shop next time I see them just to satiate my curiosity.
Ownership: LP: 1984 Polydor (USA). Single sleeve. I even have the sales sticker like the Discogs' stock photo shows. Acquired from a local store (2022). My first copy was purchased new at Hastings Records in Lubbock (1985) while in college. I had the CD for many years in between, but it offers nothing else, so it can go.
1985; 1/5/23 (new entry)
a treat to see live!
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