Yngwie Malmsteen Recently...

[ghosty999]

I grabbed a copy of the Spellbound Live in Florida and sat down to watch it with a beer. What the hell has happened??? It was all over the place, 25% of the shots didn't match what was being played... either dubbed or cut with audio from a different night. His playing with sloppy and there was many songs ruined by him not actually playing the parts at all and just throwing his guitar around or playing runs over and over.

In my mind he's still a god but I now consider there to be 2 Yngwies... the guy from the Alcatrazz live DVD... clean perfect and articulated. And now... a guy just paying the bills.

He's even auctioning his Ferrari's and original guitars on ebay these days to fund his retirement which seemed to of started 10 years ago...

What do you guys think?

This original albums inspired me to become a better player, now he seems to spend most of his shows shouting at the lighting guy or letting the rest of the band play music for him to throw his guitar around over.

 

[Red_Label]

That's sad to hear. Yngwie was my guitar god in the 80s. I had started playing a year or two before I was exposed to him. I developed quickly as a young player and was learning note-for-note leads from Randy Rhoads, Akira Takasaki, and Uli Roth. But then one day my brother (who'd been on a band trip to a bigger city) brings home Yngwie's first Rising Force LP and I just sat there playing it over and over all night, with my jaw on the floor. His unreal flurries of notes and classical stylings just blew my world away. After that, I became obsessed, learning all of his Alcatrazz, Steeler, and solo stuff and practicing it every single day for about 8 hours. I eventually went-on to major in classical guitar, and I always give credit to Yngwie for opening me up to classical music. I also always give him credit for inspiring me to get my chops together early, which has allowed me to play most styles of music throughout my career in music.

Anyways... I will always be grateful that he came around when he did. I'd love to see him get that real hunger back and come out with something as well crafted as the first couple of Rising Force albums. A lot of people hate him and there have always been those people. I can't see how everyone can't at least admit what a game-changer he was. Other guys had hinted at his style and paved the way (Blackmore and Roth). But Yngwie just took the whole thing to the next level. Of course, then we got deluged with the Varney shredders and I got over that whole scene very quickly. But for me, it's hard not to like Yngwie -- not only for what he did for me and the level of chops in the guitar world... but just for being such an over-the-top, larger-than-life personality. It's too bad that he seems to be mailing it in a bit and putting style over substance. Because when you strip away all of the excess and silliness... there was a TON of substance in those first few albums of his. From "Now Your Ships Are Burned", to "Black Star", to "Far Beyond the Sun", to Icarus Dream Suite", to "Marching Out", to "Soldier Without Faith", etc, etc... they all still speak to me. There were plenty of great moments on Trilogy, Odessey, Fire & Ice, Seventh Sign, and Magnum Opus for me as well. Nothing that he's put out since Opus has done anything for me though.

 

[jimitrowerbolin]

He's probably bored. As to the video, he likely overdubbed after the fact

 

[ghosty999]

That's sad to hear. Yngwie was my guitar god in the 80s. I had started playing a year or two before I was exposed to him. I developed quickly as a young player and was learning note-for-note leads from Randy Rhoads, Akira Takasaki, and Uli Roth. But then one day my brother (who'd been on a band trip to a bigger city) brings home Yngwie's first Rising Force LP and I just sat there playing it over and over all night, with my jaw on the floor. His unreal flurries of notes and classical stylings just blew my world away. After that, I became obsessed, learning all of his Alcatrazz, Steeler, and solo stuff and practicing it every single day for about 8 hours. I eventually went-on to major in classical guitar, and I always give credit to Yngwie for opening me up to classical music. I also always give him credit for inspiring me to get my chops together early, which has allowed me to play most styles of music throughout my career in music.

Anyways... I will always be grateful that he came around when he did. I'd love to see him get that real hunger back and come out with something as well crafted as the first couple of Rising Force albums. A lot of people hate him and there have always been those people. I can't see how everyone can't at least admit what a game-changer he was. Other guys had hinted at his style and paved the way (Blackmore and Roth). But Yngwie just took the whole thing to the next level. Of course, then we got deluged with the Varney shredders and I got over that whole scene very quickly. But for me, it's hard to to like Yngwie -- not only for what he did for me and the level of chops in the guitar world... but just for being such an over-the-top, larger-than-life personality. It's too bad that he seems to be mailing it in a bit and putting style over substance. Because when you strip away all of the excess and silliness... there was a TON of substance in those first few albums of his. From "Now Your Ships Are Burned", to "Black Star", to "Far Beyond the Sun", to Icarus Dream Suite", to "Marching Out", to "Soldier Without Faith", etc, etc... they all still speak to me. There were plenty of great moments on Trilogy, Odessey, Fire & Ice, Seventh Sign, and Magnum Opus for me as well. Nothing that he's put out since Opus has done anything for me though.

I totally agree, he was one of the reasons I picked up the guitar in such a passionate way. His new albums are boring to me, it's lost that guitar -> amp -> mic -> tape feel of the 80s that gave it that atmosphere and set it apart from modern processed guitar recordings.

Sad to see him mailing it in, I saw Graham Bonnet last night and for 66 years old he's still rocking it and passionate about the music

 

[Red_Label]

Sad to see him mailing it in, I saw Graham Bonnet last night and for 66 years old he's still rocking it and passionate about the music

Wow! I had no idea he was even still around! His voice starts to grate on me after a while, but I always respected the range. In fact, I've been listening to "Disturbing the Peace" with Vai a lot lately. I do remember one of the guitar mags interviewing a brash young Yngwie right after he left Alcatrazz and he was talking a little sh#t about their new guitar player. I don't think that he realized how much of a force that Vai would eventually become in the guitar world. I still much prefer Yngwie's tone and schtick to Vai's though. And of course, they toured together in G3 for a short time.

 

[bish0p34]

What a shame. He was a huge inspiration on me learning to play. I still remember the first time I heard him. It was I Am A Viking on a K-Tel rock compilation. My jaw just dropped. I didn't think the guitar could be played like that.

Damn shame.

 

[jimo]

I mentioned this in some other Yngwie thread. I saw him in a little club in Tucson, AZ with Alcatrazz and sat about 10 feet away from him. His fire and intensity was beyond incredible (and of course influenced my playing a lot). I haven't bought an album of his for quite a while (the Inspiration album is really good) but no matter what he does these days (or how many youtube videos are posted with him not playing that great or acting like a dick) I will remember him in that club - and that was 30 years ago.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

He is def. mailing it in.. coming in and out of the music with horrible timing. He thinks he is Hendrix with all the random noise and guitar antics. Guarantee his band turns him down in their monitor mix so that they just hold on to each other and hope for the best.

 

[sytharnia1560]

He is playing over here in the new year and I have decided not to go and see him based on the lastest vids and threads like this ... saw him in the early 90's and he was awesome, won't be wasting my money now

 

[ubermetaldood]

Yngwie bashing is as old as the grey hair on his chest. I thought his stuff with Ripper Owens was quite good and reminiscent of old Yngwie. He still comes out with a gem here and there. I don't care though because he has created enough good music in the past. Rising Force will always be one of my top five all-time favorite shred albums.

 

[geetarmikey]

I've found all his live DVDs have been like this, would love to see a straight-up live concert from his prime years.

 

[ghosty999]

Sad to see him mailing it in, I saw Graham Bonnet last night and for 66 years old he's still rocking it and passionate about the music

Wow! I had no idea he was even still around! His voice starts to grate on me after a while, but I always respected the range. In fact, I've been listening to "Disturbing the Peace" with Vai a lot lately. I do remember one of the guitar mags interviewing a brash young Yngwie right after he left Alcatrazz and he was talking a little sh#t about their new guitar player. I don't think that he realized how much of a force that Vai would eventually become in the guitar world. I still much prefer Yngwie's tone and schtick to Vai's though. And of course, they toured together in G3 for a short time.

Yeah! He's still rocking, was on guestlist so managed to hang with him backstage and chat. He doesn't speak highly of the Yngwiedays and mainly does Rainbow songs live and his own material. He did play lost in Hollywood but it was a split camp in the crowd as ironically most of the younger guys were shouting for him to play Alcatrazz!

Here is the photo:

His wife is super hot and young! haha she's on the right

 

[Red_Label]

Sad to see him mailing it in, I saw Graham Bonnet last night and for 66 years old he's still rocking it and passionate about the music

Wow! I had no idea he was even still around! His voice starts to grate on me after a while, but I always respected the range. In fact, I've been listening to "Disturbing the Peace" with Vai a lot lately. I do remember one of the guitar mags interviewing a brash young Yngwie right after he left Alcatrazz and he was talking a little sh#t about their new guitar player. I don't think that he realized how much of a force that Vai would eventually become in the guitar world. I still much prefer Yngwie's tone and schtick to Vai's though. And of course, they toured together in G3 for a short time.

Yeah! He's still rocking, was on guestlist so managed to hang with him backstage and chat. He doesn't speak highly of the Yngwiedays and mainly does Rainbow songs live and his own material. He did play lost in Hollywood but it was a split camp in the crowd as ironically most of the younger guys were shouting for him to play Alcatrazz!

Here is the photo:

His wife is super hot and young! haha she's on the right

Dayummm... he looks like he could be her grandpa! (And probably could!)

 

[DrewJD82]

If you guys want a real treat, read his book.

It's EXACTLY what you'd expect from a book about Yngwie, written by Yngwie.

My personal favorite spot was when he wrote about being mentioned in the Spinal Tap movie. He then referenced what Dave St. Hubbins said about him on the Hear N' Aid making of "We're Stars" video where Dave says he threw his guitar out the window and you might as well use it as a coffee table after hearing Yngwie. Somehow in Yngwie's mind, he thought it happened in the actual Spinal Tap movie.

 

[alan67]

Sad to see him mailing it in, I saw Graham Bonnet last night and for 66 years old he's still rocking it and passionate about the music

Wow! I had no idea he was even still around! His voice starts to grate on me after a while, but I always respected the range. In fact, I've been listening to "Disturbing the Peace" with Vai a lot lately. I do remember one of the guitar mags interviewing a brash young Yngwie right after he left Alcatrazz and he was talking a little sh#t about their new guitar player. I don't think that he realized how much of a force that Vai would eventually become in the guitar world. I still much prefer Yngwie's tone and schtick to Vai's though. And of course, they toured together in G3 for a short time.

Alcatrazz with Vai totally lacked fire IMO. No doubt Vai could play the notes but I just didn't care anymore....

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

Check out the "chasing Yngwie" vid on YT. 1985. Full concert and just fantastic... Has JSS singing and is a cool concert..
Man he was something else.. Still a great player but the early albums, nothing come close.
Vid said it before but if you haven't heard it, YT the inspiration covers album. Ridiculously good

 

[ghosty999]

I've read both his Official and Unofficial biographys...couldn't get 2 more different accounts of the same events

 

[Badronald]

There is absolutely no need to defend Yngwie J. Malmsteen.
He is a legend and his legacy is indisputable.

 

[charvelstrat81]

If you guys want a real treat, read his book.

It's EXACTLY what you'd expect from a book about Yngwie, written by Yngwie.

My personal favorite spot was when he wrote about being mentioned in the Spinal Tap movie. He then referenced what Dave St. Hubbins said about him on the Hear N' Aid making of "We're Stars" video where Dave says he threw his guitar out the window and you might as well use it as a coffee table after hearing Yngwie. Somehow in Yngwie's mind, he thought it happened in the actual Spinal Tap movie.

are you talking about the book RELENTLESS?
I was/am a huge YJM fan after hearing him with steeler up until fire and ice
then i just lost touch with what he was up to
would love to read a good book on him that is truth?
Still think he was as groundbreaking as other greats like jimi and EVH in his own way
but his licks became very redundant to me so i started listening to guys like Vitalij Kuprij and cello players.
But obviously yngwie can still play his ass off!