Search - Yngwie Malmsteen :: Unleash the Fury

A surprise (almost) return to form

Paul Lawrence | Australia | 11/15/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"OK I gotta admit, the level of expectation for this album even from long timr devotees such as myself was tiny. And at the time of this albums release (2005) Yngwie had all the profile of an ant on the metal scene radar. But this album ain't half bad. Sure, after the horrific tryptych of Alchemy, War to End All Wars and the abominable Attack! the sound of a surgeon sawing your leg off would probably sound OK, but this album starts to recall the mid to late 90's second purple patch for the Swedish fretboard burner.



The opener Locked and Loaded (rips live by the way) gets down to business with few prissy pretensions and the second tune of Revolution is also a bonafide rocker. In fact this album is a touch like Attack! in that the majority of the songs are straight ahead rockers. Except the quality here is a vast improvement. And Yngwies production job is more in the mid spectrum of the sound range which means not everything is high pitched white noise which is an impression that's stuck in my mind in regards to War to End All Wars.



Other points to consider are the 18 tracks which would normally stunt an album but the feel of this album isn't half bad. It doesn't feel plodding when you listen to it from end to end. A few obligatory instrumentals do help to break things up a little though none of those here really grabbed me. I'd far prefer to the rockin' tune Cracking the Whip than yet another pretentious solo with a latin/muso name like Fuguetta.



Still playing wise the guy still has it and here there is a real sense of passion and urgency on this disc that has been missing from some of his recent albums. And some of the tunes do show some mobility, for example Winds of War (Invasion) which has a start reminiscent of the ballad come rocker Final Curtain from the Fire & Ice album only to swerve into a slow and weighty rocker. A number of other tracks here are also heavied up by being slowed down - not that it works for all the tracks it's tried on but this is something Yngwie has started to do a little more so it's nice to see some belated development from the guy.



Lyric wise this is the same sort of stuff Yngwie always blathers on about. Cold Scandinavian concerts totally in keeping with his history and gothic leanings. Though at least by not dealing much with issues or real life he can't exactly date, though there is some loss of human connectivity with such an approach.



I like this album. Can't give it more than three stars though as it IS a touch naff lyrically in places, slightly overlong and he hasn't gotten fully into stride again but for longtime fans or lapsed fans this is a good buy.



By the way - the enhanced section of this CD isn't much to write home about. Get yourself one of his tutorial videos for greater insight. But at least he's trying to add a little extra value and keep currenty.



And Yngwies band this week - Dougie White on vox here sounding vastly more comfortable and part of the team, Joakim Svalberg (keys) and Patrick Johansson (D)."

His best metal CD to date

Marc | Houston, TX USA | 03/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not one bad song. Not one cheesy ballad. Just pure metal and pure Yngwie."