It was said that the two main man made objects on earth that can been seen from space were the great wall of China and the great wall of Marshalls. Metaphorically, that was how it described the show of Yngwie J. Malmsteen. With a wall of 40 marshall amps built on stage, it's a decibel onslaught !
The press conference and meet & greet session (for VVIP ticket holders) took place a day earlier at Setor Gombak. It meant so much to all those that he inspired to pick up the guitar, learn, strum and shred. They all brought along their axe, and Malmsteen would gladly and personally signed it to the pure joy of all those that met him that day.
The press conference and meet & greet session (for VVIP ticket holders) took place a day earlier at Setor Gombak. It meant so much to all those that he inspired to pick up the guitar, learn, strum and shred. They all brought along their axe, and Malmsteen would gladly and personally signed it to the pure joy of all those that met him that day.
The following night, Menara PGRM welcomed all the fans coming from every corners of Malaysia, as well as from other neighbouring countries like Singapore, Indonesia etc as the show in Kuala Lumpur was the only Asian date.
The show relatively started on time, and as the promotional video montage of Malmsteen addressing his Malaysian fans was rolled out, the venue immediately turned to life. While the use of smoke effect on stage gave the extra thrill.
The opening track, cranking the night, was a medley of "Rising Force" from 'Odyssey' (1988) and "Repent" from 'Spellbound' (2002). Such a monumental anthem like "Rising Force", it should be celebrated and delivered in full. It came short, and stopped at midway after the second solo with improvised long shred. We were ready to sing along to Turner's closing verse - "the lightning strikes, cranking the night, i'm not the same anymore", unfortunately, it never came. It then continued with a shorter version of "Repent" with Malmsteen on vocal. Yes, he sang well !
It continued with another medley. The track "Into Valhalla" from 'Relentless' (2010) kept the choir back pieces that made it sounded big on stage. Then came "Baroque & Roll" from 'Attack !!' (2002) that has evolved into one amazing piece of work.
By that time, we nod to the fact that Yngwie J. Malmsteen was rightfully - the maestro, the myth, the master. He revolutionized the world of guitar playing, trend set and expanded the rock genre with the distinction of classical music. He was also dynamic, as every songs evolved naturally on stage, at his magic fingers. We should have taken seriously on what he had said during the press conference, that the same song would not be played the same way on stage. Yes maestro, lesson learnt !
Malmsteen was also significant in inspiring the Malay rock scene. Even the veteran local guitar hero - Man Kidal (Lefthanded) came to pay his respect. So did King Shah (Metalasia), Karl (Cromok) etc who were also there to witness his wizardry at work.
It was our first time experiencing his latest work - 'World On Fire' (2016), but the live medley was enough to ignite our interest to check the album in full. The tracks in question started with "Soldier", then continued with the slightly faster guitar harmony of "Top Down Foot Down" and ended with the melodic solo of "No Rest For The Wicked".
Just like Malmsteen had warned all of us earlier (the show will not only surprise the fans, but will also surprise himself), we also caught ourselves by surprise that night. As a listener, not a musician (far being a guitarist either), we bow in respect to the shred master and reforged our interest on him. We should have not marched out after "Odyssey', should we ?!
Right after the classical displays of "Paganini 4th" and "Adagio", the long awaited "Far Beyond The Sun" was finally bestowed to all. We wished the venue was a dance floor, and everybody would just dance to it. Citing the death metal band Langsuir - Ayuh Berdansa ! The progressive keyboard solo was a threat just like in the album.
Just like Malmsteen had warned all of us earlier (the show will not only surprise the fans, but will also surprise himself), we also caught ourselves by surprise that night. As a listener, not a musician (far being a guitarist either), we bow in respect to the shred master and reforged our interest on him. We should have not marched out after "Odyssey', should we ?!
Right after the classical displays of "Paganini 4th" and "Adagio", the long awaited "Far Beyond The Sun" was finally bestowed to all. We wished the venue was a dance floor, and everybody would just dance to it. Citing the death metal band Langsuir - Ayuh Berdansa ! The progressive keyboard solo was a threat just like in the album.
Interesting to note that Malmsteen bravely took the vocal on "Now Your Ships Are Burned" though still incomparable to Soto. It kept the midpart break, and filled it up with several solo techniques before "Evil Eye" casted all who were there into stone.
Those who loved the album 'Trilogy' (1986) were glad to get "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget" as it was the last song for the set. The crowds threw a sing along during the chorus and Malmsteen gave a series of 'thank you' in returned, especially to those at the front row.
When Malmsteen and the band returned onstage for the encore, there stood a classical guitar at centre stage that prompted the crowds to shout out for "Blackstar". It started with a tune-up session (as what Malmsteen claimed) where his fingers were seen running free on the fretboard, and then, the famous string works of "Icarus' Dream Suite Op. 4" was heard to the big applause from the crowds. It continued with "Blackstar". Our jaw just dropped, and we don't think that our eyes blinked either.
The album 'Marching Out' (1985) was given the honour to close the night with "I'll See The Light, Tonight". How we wished it was "I Am A Viking" that brought the night down.
The album 'Marching Out' (1985) was given the honour to close the night with "I'll See The Light, Tonight". How we wished it was "I Am A Viking" that brought the night down.
Hat off to the drummer - Mark Ellis who was excellent throughout the night. He was also given a slot for drum solo, which he probably captured new Malaysian fan base that night. To us, the current line-ups of the band - Rising Force were just session musicians for live performance, but a top notch professional one. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet, it was a fretworks fiesta that night ! Kuala Lumpur was on fire ! Most of us were spellbound !
Thank you Panggung Asia / SoundValley Festival for giving all of us one memorable experience with Yngwie J. Malmsteen. It was also not easy to manage a perfectionist rockstar guitar hero who dealt only in absolute (sithlord ?!), so kudos to Lampu Neon and team for the job well done.
Official shirts :-
Thank you Panggung Asia / SoundValley Festival for giving all of us one memorable experience with Yngwie J. Malmsteen. It was also not easy to manage a perfectionist rockstar guitar hero who dealt only in absolute (sithlord ?!), so kudos to Lampu Neon and team for the job well done.
Official shirts :-
Setlists
1) Rising Force / Repent (Odyssey / Spellbound)
2) Into Valhalla / Baroque & Roll (Relentless / Attack !!)
3) Medley - World On Fire
a) Soldier
b) Top Down Foot Down
c) No Rest For The Wicked
a) Soldier
b) Top Down Foot Down
c) No Rest For The Wicked
4) Like An Angel - For April (Facing The Animal)
5) Badinere (Classical piece)
6) Paganini 4th / Adagio (Classical piece)
7) Far Beyond The Sun (Rising Force)
8) Seventh Sign (Seventh Sign)
7) Far Beyond The Sun (Rising Force)
8) Seventh Sign (Seventh Sign)
9) Medley
a) Overture (Relentless)
b) From A Thousand Cuts (Spellbound)
c) Arpeggios From Hell (Relentless)
a) Overture (Relentless)
b) From A Thousand Cuts (Spellbound)
c) Arpeggios From Hell (Relentless)
10) World On Fire (World On Fire)
11) When Your Ships Are Burned (Rising Force)
12) Evil Eye (Rising Force)
13) Trilogy Suite Op. 5 (Trilogy)
14) Blue (Alchemy)
15) Fugue (Concerto Suite)
12) Evil Eye (Rising Force)
13) Trilogy Suite Op. 5 (Trilogy)
14) Blue (Alchemy)
15) Fugue (Concerto Suite)
16) Drum Solo
17) You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget (Trilogy)
Encore
17) You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget (Trilogy)
Encore
18) Icarus' Dream Suite Op. 4 (Rising Force)
19) Blackstar (Rising Force)
20) I'll See The Light, Tonight (Marching Out)
19) Blackstar (Rising Force)
20) I'll See The Light, Tonight (Marching Out)
