Yngwie Malmsteen - The Only Way in Yngwie

Nearly two decades on and Yngwie Malmsteen's legacy seems stronger than ever, and he certainly doesn't seem to be considering slowing down anytime soon with the old mantras of "Play Loud!" and "More is more" still very much his modus operandi.

Jonathan Graham

Last year, Yngwie Malmsteen released his twentieth studio album, 'World on Fire' after a four-year break from putting out new material (the longest of his career). The record has been extremely well received amongst fans, and with a major fall U.S. tour about to kick off next month, Guitar Interactive Magazine editor Jonathan Graham caught up with Yngwie at his first solo show in London for nearly a decade.

Yngwie Malmsteen is a rarity in today's music world. Not only for his incredible gift on his chosen instrument but also his vision and unyielding commitment with regards to the direction of his music. Love him or hate him, there can be no doubt that every note on any of his records is meant to be there and sound precisely as he would want. An incredible and rare achievement for an artist who has had multiple major record contracts during the course of his career to date.

Although he's been doing just fine solo for quite some time, it's worth noting that some of YJM's finest early work came in more of a collaborative form, as following one album with LA-based generic metal/hard rock act Steeler, Malmsteen would join the mighty, Alcatrazz.

Initially, Alcatrazz was formed by Graham Bonnet as a showcase of his own talents. Bonnet, who was, albeit briefly, part of Richie Blackmore's Rainbow (Replacing Ronnie James Dio in 1979) recruited Malmsteen, who instantly pushed the band toward a more elaborate, neoclassical approach. Their ï¬