February 2013 \ Features \ Artist Interview \ Interview: Yngwie Malmsteen on "Spellbound"

Interview: Yngwie Malmsteen on "Spellbound"

Joe Charupakorn

Yngwie gives us the scoop on the new album, talks about the blues, and reveals how his “heavenly” new pickups came about.


Premier Guitar February 2013
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Check the following clips to see and hear why they call Yngwie Malmsteen the king of shred.

Yngwie leads into his signature hit, "Black Star," with an unaccompanied acoustic intro.

Yngwie performs "Icarus Dream Fanfare" with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. At 0:13, Yngwie’s gesture non-verbally indicates that that the fury will soon be unleashed.

For those that think Yngwie is all speed and no soul, this rendition of "Purple Haze," which features the Swede singing and incorporating some bluesy Hendrix-esque phrases, should erase all doubt.


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Comments

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fusion_snob
on 04/12/2013 		Al Di Meola dusts any of these so-called "neo-classical" cats. His compositional skills(he's written and played most of the percussion parts on his classic fusion albums) are on another level, far beyond these 4/4 "rockers". One thing is to play fast runs over 4/4 beats, regardless of scales or modes, and another is to blow over the most complex afro-latin-cosmic grooves. See 'Splendido Hotel' or 'Elegant Gypsy', if you've yet to explore Di Meola's work. Al's chops and right hand technique are in another galaxy when compared to these sweep picking, over-driven fools. Now, that's not saying that I don't enjoy YJM and Vai, because I do, very much. But when it comes down to PRECISION and CLEAN, ERROR-FREE TECHNIQUE, Al D's THE MAN. The rest are on a second tier, below him.
Bassguitar
on 02/13/2013 		Yngwie at the Grammy Awards show 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xte eKntmda8
tdclns
on 02/09/2013 		The best Yngwie ever got was Alcatrazz', Rising Force, & Marching Out. His one off w/ J.L.Turner looked promising at first, but in his world one thing is certain---vocalists will never last it out. And that's his problem. If he would hook up with some big time players, tread the path started with the Alcatrazz album & the 'Live Leningrad album & 'his version of 'Sand Castle Magic,' & mix his playing up, I'de listen to him again. You'de have a better chance of training a hippo to do cartwheels; so his first 3 major record releases is as far as I go with his music.
Nordic Viking
on 02/01/2013 		Very few people go to Yngwie looking for lyrics, great songs or depth of emotional range. He has been shredding & sweep picking the same Phrygian/Harmonic minor/Aeolian/Diminished scale runs since 1980. You go for the shred, put up with the rest. Luv ya Yngwie, keep doing your thing.
Anita Biggun
on 02/01/2013 		I wanna see Yngwie punch Jeff Berlin in the arm.
JIM
on 01/31/2013 		Agree w/ ya THE MAN, ken did you reall watch the DVD? Satchel and Steven got taken to school!
The Man
on 01/31/2013 		I've watched the G3 DVD many times, for only one reason: To watch Yngwie technically and musically destroy the siamese twin combo of SatchVai. I'm surprised those posers had the scrotal sac to stand their and get their asses completely kicked by The Maestro night after night. Talk about embarrassing. A note to SatchVai: don't bring a wet noodle to a machine gun fight. By the way, if it wasn't for electricity SatchVai would be unemployed. Yngwie is just as adept playing virtuoso acoustic guitar. So Ken, go play with Barbie.
Ken
on 01/31/2013 		Watch the G3 DVD with Yngwie, Satriani and Vai. He gets absolutely blown out of the water. It's actually a little embarrassing to watch. His playing is completely redundant and unimaginitive. His chops are actually limited and his tone is atrocious especially compared with the other two. Watch it and you'll agree.
Strat Master
on 01/31/2013 		Love Yngwie, but you could buy a Malmsteen CD(download) every five years at not miss anything. They all have have the same motifs and weak songs with neck pickup, furry, hyper speed picked lines. He is a master at what he does, regardless of what people say. Unleash the Fokkin' fury!!
Jay
on 01/31/2013 		I'm probably one of those blues hackers he speaks of, but even with that rub, he is a uber fantastic technician, musician and composer. "He's boring, He's arrogant, he's whatever" and I think the sheer work it took for him to become so virtuosic is worth the respect. I don't listen to him, but by gosh I wish I possessed the talent in his little finger....



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