YNGWIE MALMSTEEN’s RISING FORCE: Unleash The Fury

Cover	Release	Style
	2005-07-25	neo-classical heavy metal
	Label
	SPV / Steamhammer
	Website
	Yngwie Malmsteen
	Contact

	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	72:46	SPV 085-99592 CD
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	7/10
nederlands	Review
Yngwie Malmsteen’s live performances are notorious for sometimes turning into feasts of self-indulgence, with endless guitar solos and little room for the other instruments. Luckily, his albums are more song-oriented, and although the songwriting isn’t a prime example of inventiveness, he does always have a number of great songs on his records. “Unleash The Fury” is no different. Malmsteen stubbornly sticks to what he’s been doing since forever – playing melodic heavy metal with a prominent neo-classical feel. This time, he is backed up by vocalist Dougie White (Rainbow, Praying Mantis, Cornerstone), Joakim Svalberg (keyboards) and Patrick Johanson (drums). White is perfect for the job and I think he is a better choice than some of the other singers Malmsteen has worked with (Mats Leven, Mark Boals). Malmsteen himself sings lead on two tracks: the very heavy “Cracking The Whip” and “Cherokee Warrior” and he does a surprisingly good job. But the focal point is of course his guitar playing. He is still a master of the game, but his tendency to fill every gap with as many notes as humanly possible (and more) can be a bit tiresome. Yes, I do appreciate his guitar playing, and I even marvel at it, but listening to a complete Malmsteen album can become a somewhat strenuous experience, especially when it features no less that 18 (!) tracks. Still, songs like “Winds Of War (Invasion)”, “Locked & Loaded”, “Revelation (Drinking With The Devil)”, “The Bogeyman”, the instrumental “Fuguetta” and the aforementioned “Cherokee Warrior” are certainly worthy for inclusion on a “Best Of”. Great songs, although –I have to repeat it– they do sound awkwardly familiar… So, there’s nothing really new or inspiring here. I know Malmsteen fans won’t like to read this (Yngwie is sometimes considered more of a god than God himself), but once you’ve heard one Malmsteen album, you’ve heard them all. Granted, it’s a bit of an inaccurate statement (“Odyssey” still stands out as a masterpiece; “War To End All Wars” is horrible), but basically it’s true that Malmsteen will rarely surprise you, neither in a positive, nor in a negative way. Fans can buy this thing blindfolded; those who are not really familiar with the man yet might as well try out this album as any other.
Musicians
Yngwie Malmsteen: All lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Fretless Bass, Synthesizer Guitars, Sitar, Cello, Keyboards Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals on "Cherokee Warrior" and "Cracking The Whip" Dougie White: Vocals Joakim Svalberg: Keyboards Patrick Johanson: Drums
Tracklist
Locked & Loaded Revolution Cracking The Whip Winds Of War (Invasion) Crown Of Thorns The Bogeyman Beauty And The Beast Fuguetta Cherokee Warrior Guardian Angel Let The Good Times Roll Revelation (Drinking With The Devil) Magic And Mayhem Exile The Hunt Russian Roulette Unleash The Fury Paraphrase
Discography
Rising Force [1984] Marching Out [1985] Trilogy [1986] Odyssey [1988] Trial By Fire [1989 - live] Eclipse [1990] The Yngwie Malmsteen Collection [1991 – comp.] Fire And Ice [1992] The Seventh Sign [1994] I Can't Wait [1994 - ep] Magnum Opus [1995] Inspiration [1996] Facing The Animal [1997] Concerto Suite... [1998] Live [1998 - live] Alchemy [1999] The Best Of 1990-1999 [2000 – comp.] War To End All Wars [2000] Concerto Suite Live [2001] Attack [2002] The Genesis [2002 – arch.] Unleash The Fury [2005]


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