YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE - Unleash The Fury

Spitfire Records

Posted: 8/29/05

Reviewed by: Lynn Phillips

Category: Neo-Classical Heavy Metal

Released: 7/26/05

Label URL: www.eaglerockent.com

Artist URL: www.yngwie.org

If you were to look up the word 'consistency' in a music dictionary you would undoubtedly find a picture of Yngwie J. Malmsteen next to the definition.  For better or for worse, almost every Yngwie release stays true to his signature neo-classical stylings, so you’ll never be too surprised by what you hear.  For some people this is a serious problem.  While they might acknowledge that Yngwie is a great guitarist, they are quick to state that all his albums sounds the same.  I’m in the other camp, however, because I think it’s nice to know what you’re going to get when you pick up an artist’s new release.  Anyone who has gotten burned when one of his or her favorite bands made a radical style change can surely relate.  Fans of Dokken, Def Leppard and the Scorpions should know exactly what I’m talking about.  On Unleash the Fury, Yngwie has composed a dozen and a half songs that comfortably stay within his established domain, highlighting his amazing shred guitar style.

Top tracks include:

• “The Boogeyman” – a catchy song that’s built around the most commercially viable bass playing in Yngwie’s entire catalog.  The track stands out for being commercial straight ahead rock n’ roll, as it’s quite infectious and adds a lot of diversity to the disc.

• The Yngwie sung “Cherokee Warrior” because his vocals are deeper, gruffer and more blues based than anything found on the other tracks.  It’s a nice change of pace from the higher register vocals of Doogie White. 

• The four instrumentals - the man is a virtuoso.

As for the down side, there isn’t too much to complain about if you like this style of music.  My primary beef with Unleash the Fury is that it is too long and some filler tracks could’ve been cut out.  Additionally, the production isn’t as highly polished as it could be.  The vocals are way down in the mix, as if Doogie in another room and the mics were in another.

The Bloody Truth: If you’re a fan of Yngwie’s guitar playing and unique musical style, then you need to add Unleash the Fury to your collection.  It may not be his best work but it’s as good as his last release, Attack.  For non-fans, there’s nothing here that’s going to change your mind about what you think of Yngwie Malmsteen.  Either way, it’s nice to know what you’re going to get before you buy a cd.  Yngwie always does his best not to disappoint in that category.