YNGWIE MALMSTEEN: 'More Is More, Less Is Less. The Idea That Less Is More Is Illogical'

The long wait is over for fans of neo-classical rock guitar genius YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. The new YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE album, "Unleash the Fury", will be released in North America on July 26, 2005, through Eagle Rock Entertainment's Spitfire Records.

"Unleash the Fury" has already received rave reviews since hitting the streets overseas. Malmsteen played all guitar and bass guitar parts on the album and "Cherokee Warrior" features his lead vocals as well. His RISING FORCE band includes vocalist Doogie White, keyboardist Joakim Svalberg and drummer Patrick Johansson.

The new album bursts with 18 songs, including four instrumentals. Both "Fuguetta" and "Paraphrase" are variations of themes composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of Malmsteen's favorite composers. "Unleash the Fury" also features CD-ROM bonus clips of Malmsteen demonstrating his signature guitar technique.

With 24 albums to his credit, Malmsteen has been a highly respected musical visionary around the world for more than two decades for his groundbreaking neo-classical style. But the Stockholm, Sweden native is proud of the early praise "Unleash the Fury" has earned. He realized early on that he nailed it with this album.

"In the last several years I've done a lot of experimental things in this vein or that vein. Some were very song-oriented or classically oriented or focused on a dark production. They were done deliberately. On the last album, 'Attack!!', I went with whatever came out. It was very spontaneous," Malmsteen says.

"With 'Unleash the Fury' I was very, very meticulous and very, very particular about what I wanted. I was really involved with everything, including drums — even when to use crash or ride cymbals. It was a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this album."

Malmsteen spends a great deal of time writing his songs, and that includes everything: overall instrumental and vocal melodies, solos and lyrics. He enjoys writing lyrics as much as writing guitar and bass guitar parts, and works on them carefully.

"I express myself with my lyrics just as much as I do with my guitar. To me, the whole thing is one expression. Lyrics are poetry in time with a melody," Malmsteen says. "When the music comes, it's easy. It's all improvisation. If I'm not inspired, I don't bother. But writing lyrics is a difficult process; when it's done, I find it was an enjoyable experience."

He is also incredibly prolific, and one of the rewarding challenges he embraces is choosing material.

"I have two recording studios at home, and one of them is a live setup. Me and the drummer, Patrick Johansson, recorded about 43 demos for this album," says Malmsteen.

Having his own recording studios allows Malmsteen the luxury of creative freedom without any restraints. Unexpected benefits happen too. The main reason he sings lead vocals on "Cherokee Warrior" is that he and the engineer were simply doing a soundcheck with a new microphone and it sounded so good they decided to keep it.

Malmsteen, White, Johansson, Svalberg and touring bass guitarist Mick Cervino have already begun a world tour, which will arrive in North America later this year.

"Unleash the Fury" is one of the finest albums of Malmsteen's career, and its creation is rooted in one simple, yet profound belief: "I have a philosophy: More is more, less is less. The idea that less is more is illogical."

Malmsteen's "Concerto" DVD, featuring his performance with the New Japan Philharmonic orchestra, is also due from Eagle Rock on September 20, 2005. For more information, including all the latest news and tour dates, visit www.yngwie.org.