[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QbNuctX4TI[/youtube]
Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. Today, it’s Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s debut album, Rising Force, which was released on this day in 1984.
This album is instrumental for all but two songs. It’s a pretty artistic album. It has plenty of traces of beauty as well as all-out insane guitar work. It’s a really impressive album to listen to if you like guitar work. Another thing to note is that Jens Johansson (of Stratovarius) plays keyboard on the album. Jens is an astounding keyboard player, so the keyboards also showcase some really impressive work when they get the chance (though this is rarely). The songs with vocals are catchy and impressive, too.
Rest assured, this is a HEAVILY guitar-centric album. EVERYTHING else takes an extreme backseat to the guitar playing. Sure, the drums might get a cool fill here and there (which is especially sad, because the drummer is the longtime drummer of Jethro Tull), and the bass has shining moments too, but not very much. They keyboards are the only thing that shows impressive work at time besides the guitars. The songs, at times, can sound like one giant, overblown guitar solo. If you’re not impressed or interested in this kind of guitar work, this album will have absolutely nothing for you.
Favorite Tracks: “Evil Eye,” “Icarus’ Dream Suite Op. 4 ,” “Far Beyond the Sun.”
Yngwie tries to be a one-man show on this album. It’s a really good album for what it is, and the guitar work is obviously impressive, but if guitar solos aren’t an absolute joy for you, it’s an album that goes dry quite fast. Guitar people will love this album, and I think everyone else can enjoy it, but not nearly as much.
