Yngwie Malmsteen
Relentless ()
Wydane przez Rising Force Records/Universal Music Group/CMMRok wydania Kraj SwedenNapisał Wouter8
Swedish guitar maestro Yngwie Malmsteen is joined by former Iced Earth and Judas Priest frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens. As the title suggest the album is meant to capture the electrifying energy of a live performance within the settings of a studio environment. It is easy to see why Malmsteen has such a prodigious reputation as his work on this album is simply amazing as per usual. All tracks consist of wonderfully extended neo-classical leads/solos that ooze emotion, honesty and conviction. Melting influences from pure heavy metal with powerful sweeps and progressive chops these tracks don't require vocals to impress anybody vaguely familiar with his body of work. Additional keyboards provide a soothing counterpart to the metallic instruments. One does not buy a Malmsteen record for the lyrical concept, but for the excellent playing by the master himself. "Relentless" is another great addition to Malmsteen's catalogue of swirling compositions and exotic, electrifying performances. It is obvious that Malmsteen's compositions are meant to be experienced instrumentally, as these are mostly midpaced cuts with enough open spaces and sections where the guitar is the sole focus and all other instruments mere form the supportive basis. These kinds of albums are far more interesting to listeners who actually play the instrument themselves, for the unitiated it serves as a gateway to get more familiar with the technical side of playing extreme music of any shape or form. The pristine production emphasizes Malmsteen's main instrument while retaining a bass-heaviness and prominence for the percussion that is lost on most modern extreme metal acts. Yngwie Malmsteen has been an influence on many extreme metal guitarists, young and old, for a good reason. "Relentless" is another masterclass put to a shiny disc. It certainly is a warmly recommended listen in between all the underground death -, doom-, black metal and grindcore violence.
www.risingforcerecords.com
