All I can say is ...
wow. After a decade of mediocre and sound-the-same, Yngwie pulled out all the stops and comes out with an album that's even over the top for
him!!!
At first blush, it sounds like a cross between
Marching Out and
Seventh Sign. Upon repeated listens, you can hear there are some really cool ideas going on, though. Best part ---
NO POWER BALLAD!!!
4 years without drugs and drink has finally seen a reinvigorated Yngwie and we find him ready to take the world by storm. Michael Romeo should listen to this album and really take it to heart before the next Symphony X album, as this is the very element that was missing from
Paradise Lost -- good, hook-laden shred.
Ripper does a great job on vocals, at times sounding a bit like JSS at other times RJD, and NEVER sounding like Halford, which is a blessing. Yes, the lyrics are still lame and Yngwie insists on singing one song, PDT_008. But he can be forgiven for this for finally coming out with the proper follow up to
Seventh Sign.
Song sample for y'all --
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=6981877&q=hiThis album has toppled the new Evergrey with ease, which is saying a
LOT as I love Evergrey.
Man, my top 10 list for 2008 is filling up fast!!!
I'm seeing Yngwie next Sunday night @ Blender in NYC ... I now have reason to be excited!!
My highest recommendation. Go buy it.
