Exclusive Interview with Guitar Legend Yngwie Malmsteen

Time Magazine recently named Yngwie Malmsteen one of the ten best electric guitar players of all time. He is recognized as a master of shred. The talented guitarist is back with a new album called "Relentless." The guitarist took time out of his schedule to talk to me over the phone from his Ferrari. We discussed his musical style and influences, the new album "Relentless," and his future tour plans.

Style and Influences

Your style has been called everything from "Neo-Classical," rock, shred, and Heavy Metal. How would you describe your style?

YM: Funny thing, they have titles like death metal or goth metal. The "Neo-Classical" label has been around for while. Really old stuff, I was in a band called Powerhouse and I described my music as symphonic metal rock since I was fourteen.

Classical music is a big influence on your music, was it hard to combine classical and rock?

YM: I came from a musical family. I was the youngest. I would get lessons from my sister and brother. When I saw Hendrix burn a guitar, I listened to him and played it until I was blue in the face. What I wanted to play no one was doing it.

Ritchie Blackmore was an influence on you, who are some other guitarists who have influenced you?

YM: My guitar playing now there is no Blackmore, no Hendrix. Deep Purple when I was a kid and the composition is all classical. There are guitarists I like, like Eddie Van Halen, but no one who influences me.

The Fender Stratocaster is your main guitar how did you settle on that guitar?

YM: Is there anything else? I have several guitars Flying V's, Les Pauls, ESP 335, Brian May guitar, tons of guitars. I have every type of string instrument. When you go to a race you bring a Ferrari. When I want to play guitar I bring a Stratocaster.

New Album

How is it to work with vocalist Tim Owens?

YM: I write all the melodies, all the lyrics, work out all the vocals, drums, and keyboards. He delivers just like I want it. It is like a cast member in a movie. He doesn't write anything he delivers.

On the new album "Relentless" it has been said you wanted to push yourself, and top what you had done in the past. Do you think you achieved that or were there more you wanted to do?

YM: I wanted to kick my ass. I wanted to knock me out. I wanted to hear something that made me go Oh S___! (Edited for language) That's what I want all new records to be. Especially, on this one where everything clicked in. I'm not competing with other guitarist, I but I want to go out and make the best music I can.

I noticed some choir music on "Enemy Within" and "Into Valhalla " is that a type of music you are interested in?

YM: My mother sang in a choir in Sweden which went back to the 14^th century. I have used it before. It was the drama of it. It sounded like a lot of Vikings and I like that.

Do you have a favorite piece or song on the new album?

YM: They are like my children. I love them all, very much. It is a whole you can't take one out.

Tour Plans

Can fans expect a tour from you soon on support of "Relentless"?

YM: Yeah, we are planning. We have one gig in Los Angeles in January. Also releasing the Malmsteen signature Marshall Stack Amps which are sweet, the gigs are going to fall in.

Is there anything you would like to share with your fans?

YM: I hope they check out the new record. I can't wait to go out and play the new songs live.

Sources:

Phone Interview with Yngwie Malmsteen

Time Magazine