Review | Yngwie Malmsteen – Tokyo Live

Music Theory Recordings

Everyone knows that mister Lars Johan Yngve Lannerback, aka Yngwie Malmsteen, is one of the best and certainly one of the fastest guitar players in the world, so you then certainly will know that this new live album will be full of guitar eargasms for sure, again stating that Malmsteen is a legendary guitar virtuoso!

THIRTY TRACKS!

The concert was recorded at the ‘Zepp DiverCity’ in Tokyo [Japan] on May 11, 2024, being a part of Malmsteen’s ‘40th anniversary World Tour’. This ‘ Tokyo Live’  album contains, hold your breath, thirty tracks, illustrating Malmsteen’s illustrious career at full force, as Yngwie Malmsteen shreds his way through this furious 100-minute concert. Malmsteen’s fold consists of: Nick Marino (keyboards), Emilio Martinez (bass guitar, lead vocals) and drummer Kevin Klingenschmid.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights, at least for me, are the songs from Yngwie’s last studio album ‘Parabellum’ (2021), being ,,Relentless Fury”, ,,Wolves At The Door” (killer song) and the instrumental highlight of that album: ,,(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum”. Tracks that also stand out are older songs like the brilliant ,,Far Beyond The Sun” and ,,Black Star,” both from Malmsteen’s debut album ‘Rising Force’ (1984), which are staples of his live setlist and songs which Malmsteen will play until the day he dies….

CLASSICAL SIDE

,,You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget” (‘Trilogy’, 1986) and ,,I’ll See The Light Tonight” (‘Marching Out’, 1985) are also classic Malmsteen songs, while ,,Hiroshima Mon Amour”, ,,Evil Eye”, ,,Toccata”, “Fugue” and ,,Cadenza” illustrate Malmsteen’s “classical” side of guitar playing.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – IN CONCLUSION

Sound wise I have some problems with Malmsteen’s fifth live album as I feel that the mix is not really as it should be, as the sound of the entire album is really obtuse and the vocals of Yngwie and Emilio are definitely not as good as for instance Jeff Scott Soto, Mark Boals , Joe Lynn Turner or Mats Leven. However, Malmsteen’s guitar playing is again second to none and a treat for all lovers of neo-classical, bombastic guitar rock. So, play it LOUD and leave your air guitar in the closet as Yngwie is way too fast for you to follow…

Release date: 25 April 2025