Concert Reports

Guitar great Yngwie Malmsteen brought his blistering stage presence to The Majestic Ventura Theater on June 4, part of the guitarist’s World On Fire tour

All Photos : Steve Kennedy
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www.YngwieMalmsteen.com

www.VenturaTheater.net

Following the overwhelmingly positive reception to his latest album, World On Fire, legendary Swedish guitar virtuoso Yngwie J. Malmsteen is in the midst of a spring 2017 U.S. headling tour. Yngwie and his ensemble of top-tier musicians are performing pieces from the legendary neo-classical stylings of Rising Force (1984) as well as songs from the fierce World On Fire, and material from everything in between.Malmsteen last toured the States in 2016 on the Generation Axe tour alongside Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi, playing to more than 70,000 people over 27 dates. Now, Malmsteen is hitting the road once again, and the “World On Fire” tour promises to be one of his most explosive yet!

Yngwie Malmsteen is one of rock's premiere virtuoso guitarists. Yngwie has dominated the world of solo guitar for two decades. When he was barely 20, Yngwie exploded onto the music scene with his jaw-dropping technique of lightning fast harmonic minor scalar riffing. His 1984 album, "Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force," established seemingly overnight the style now referred to a neo-classical melodic rock. A legend in both style and technique, Yngwie's long career reach new heights when his totally classical work for orchestra and solo electric guitar, "Concerto Suite," was released, proving that his classical credentials were genuine. A respected musician among both his peers and his fans, Yngwie continues to play and compose at a level of mastery that many career musician only dream of.

World On Fire

Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen released his album World On Fire on June 1st.

The Swedish guitarist says he spent two years working on the record between tours – which he says made the songwriting process “inspiring.”Malmsteen says, “I spent two years working on it, touring, recording, touring, recording. And that’s actually much better in a way. Back in the day I would write the songs then rehearse them with some musicians, then go and do a backing track and we’d record it, mix it, learn the songs to go play them on tour, then do it all again. That way isn’t necessarily conducive to making the best music.

So in a very backhanded way, this weird twist of fate in the music industry has actually made it a more inspiring environment. I can write anytime and record anytime. My recording studio is always open, 24 hours. I can just record when I want and it’s a beautiful thing.” 

Asked what the new record sounds like, Malmsteen said: "It's a Malmsteen record. [Laughs] But I would say it's a little different. First of all, I do all the lead vocals on it. Any time I did lead vocals in the past, I was singing blues stuff. This time I decided to do lead vocals in my style of songwriting, so it's different in that way. It's a very hard-hitting album and some parts are very advanced, very complicated. But it's a broad record. It's definitely a must-listen-to!"

Yngwie also confirmed that he laid down the bass tracks on his new album. "I play all the bass and most of the keyboards," he said. "And there's a string section and a choir. It's very neoclassical. It's super neoclassical!"

Asked what keeps him inspired to regularly release studio albums over the last thirty years, Malmsteen told Heavy Metal Bands Info in a 2015 interview: "It's the same approach I have when I am in the studio. I go into the studio and pick up the guitar or play the drums or whatever. I just do something and something comes out that inspires me. Then I carry on with it. I wanna have it happen like an inspired thing. Then I just put it down and listen to it in the car or wherever and I think, 'Oh, that sounds great.' I mean, I play it back a week later or so and I don't even remember doing it. Then I go, like, 'Wow, that’s great,' or, 'Wow, that's shit.' This is important to me, because at that stage I am listening more like a listener. Then I take that further and make it into a more complete thing. I found that this is the best way for me. That makes it exciting and inspiring. That's why I'm still doing it."
 

The Majestic Ventura Theater

The Ventura Theatre, the best venue between LA and San Francisco, it offers a great 1920’s Mission Style Architecture ambiance – you can see & feel close to the band from practically anywhere in the theatre, excellent acoustics and easy nearby parking (a major plus). No question it is one of the hippest places to experience great music and So Cal’s best kept secrets. 

Located in Ventura, California – minutes from the Valley and Santa Barbara, it is one of Southern California’s finest venues and home to the world’s most legendary artists – of all genres of music to include but not limited to: Punk, Alternative Rock, Reggae, Classic Rock, Metal, Blues, Country, Jazz, Funk, Latin, Rock en Espanol, Electronica, R&B/Trip-Hop/Hip-Hop, World and more. The Ventura Theater’s 1920’s Mission Style Architecture design, 1200 capacity spectacular venue, with multiple full bars, ballroom and the occasionaldinner show continues to enjoy the best talent line-ups North of Los Angeles to San Francisco.

www.VenturaTheater.net
 

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