Saturday, September 1, 2018

YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE - A PERSPECTIVE


 
As a listener (not musician), we are not a definite fan of guitar hero. But back then, ages ago, it seemed that everybody knew the guitar wizard by the name of Yngwie J. Malmsteen. The alphabet - 'J' in the middle represented his middle name - 'Johan'. 
 
We were at primary school at that time, and a friend who was way cooler told us about J. Malmsteen (without 'Yngwie' as he was unable to pronounce it). We didn't even bother. As stupid as it seemed, we later thought that there was a 'correlation' between J. Malmsteen and J. Yantzen (Rusty Blade). We used the big word 'correlation' as a way to deviate your attention, so that you couldn't notice that we were out of sense. The people around told us that those with brain would love Yngwie J. Malmsteen, because not only he was technically way advance during his time, he also got soul. We grew to love the debut album of Rising Force (1984), appreciated it even more later. So, would that mean we finally managed to catch up with intellectuality ? 
 
Beside the charm that "Blackstar" cast to all listeners, the album also featured the mighty Jeff Scott Soto on vocal, though only in 2 tracks but he was brilliant, especially on the classic - "As Above So Below". The galloping drumming, the progressive keyboard play and the bass line were all outstanding. Many years later, whenever we heard Rabbani - "Itifada", we somehow thought about that chorus. While, the tracks "Evil Eye" and "Icarus' Dream Suite Op 4" were even magical as seemed like it's alive ! As we all knew, Yngwie J. Malmsteen grew to become legend !
 
 
Jeff Scott Soto was given more spaces in 'Marching Out' (1985), singing his charisma out on 8 tracks from the total of 11 tracks featured on the album. However, the beginning tracks ("I'll See The Light Tonight" and "Don't Let It End") though were still good numbers seemed to have lost that heavy punch, before "Disciples Of Hell" and "I Am A Viking' came back to the glory of the 1st album. One of the biggest myth surrounding Yngwie was that he could not play at slow pace, and would fumble if he did. The track "Overture 1383" however came out to testify that it was all false claim. Yet, if we are given the opportunity, we would like to sit with him and ask the question personally.
 
The 3rd album - 'Trilogy' (1986) came out with Mark Boals on vocal. Finally, we realised that those 2 tracks - "I'll See The Light Tonight" and "Don't Let It End" on the previous album 'Marching Out' was a hint of what was to come in the album 'Trilogy'. While, the 4th album - 'Odyssey' (1988) had Joe Lynn Turner singing, and the track "Rising Force" was impressive indeed. However, in search for other musical persona(s), we marched out to explore other musical territories. Unfortunately, never turned back.

Despite whatever had happened through out the years back then, let's all take it, that today starts the Yngwie's month, up until the day that we'll see him onstage here in Malaysia on the 29th September 2018.
 

Like us, if you are not a big fan of guitar hero and unable to keep track of the many albums he had released up until 'World On Fire' (2016), just sit back and relax. In remembrance of the first 2 albums of Rising Force, we believe, eventually, that will turn out to be the biggest reason for you to be there at Wawasan Hall.

Frankly, for us, it was ...

Get the ticket ! See you there !
 
 
facebook : Official Yngwie Malmsteen

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