The reason I am reviewing this is simple. Last week, I bought an autographed copy of this album on vinyl for $2 off the street. However this gem has been overlooked for too long. Malmsteen, while he may be an ass, is still a talented musician and composer. After leaving Alcatrazz, he formed Rising Force along with Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull), Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-Dio) and Jeff Scott Soto (Axel Rudi Pell). This is their first album together, or should I say under Malmsteen’s tutelage. Drawing together shredding solos, classical compositions and traditional hard rock, the album was one of the biggest guitar oriented albums of the year and won Malmsteen many guitar magazine polls.

“Black Star” opens as many of the songs on this album do. They have a short and repetitive bass line which is repeated virtually ad nauseum while Malmsteen solos. This is what is expected of the music however. No one really listens to this for the backing music; it’s just to hear the man and his guitar. Malmsteen is a genius and extremely talented. It’s a fact that cannot be disputed. His technique and finger work are brilliant and blazingly fast. A man like this should be recognized for his talent. Jeff Scott Soto only sings on a few of the songs since many are completely instrumental. “Now Your Ships Are Burning” is his shining performance of the album. This song is a precursor to Symphony X style progressive metal. The drum work here is spectacular. Soto has a great voice and it’s a shame that Yngwie doesn’t have him on vocals more often.

Malmsteen tries his hand at composing with the Bachesque “Icarus’ Dream Suite.” Much of it is soloing over atmospheric keyboards but there are other parts that are more metal and rock. The solo about halfway through is a duet with Johansson and is completely classical in nature. The latter part of the song sees acoustic guitar in a hypnotic swirl of chords and mixing. A keyboard solo also provides some excellent support here. Johansson was without a doubt the perfect choice for they keyboards. His style and talent are top notch and he might just be the best keyboardist in metal to this day. His one arranging credit comes on the introduction to “As Above, So Below.” A gothic and haunting organ solo creates an unsettling feeling in the listener as the song begins. Combined with Soto’s vocals and Malmsteen’s shredding, this is the best track on the album.

Definitely check this one out for a taste of some classic progressive metal. Others have taken this style to new places recently but it’s good to see where Yngwie comes from even if he is a total jerk today.