Yngwie Malmsteen is a man that needs no introduction. The legendary guitar shredder is back with a new album entitled "Attack". This time Yngwie is using vocalist Dougie White, who sang on Rainbow's comeback album "Stranger in us All". Dougie White's vocal mentors are clearly singers from the 70's, because his singing has a certain emotion like Robert Plant and especially Ian Gillan. Just listen to Mad Dog, which has that 70's vocal feel. Dougie White's amazing singing has been a breath of fresh air, which makes this disc very listenable.

"Attack" is filled with all the classic Malmsteen elements and this album will not let any Malmsteen fans down. There are fast songs like Rise Up, Iron Clad and the title track Attack. The listener is treated with epic Viking songs like Valhalla and Valley of Kings.

Of course this album includes a couple of instrumental compositions. Air is a variation of a theme by Bach, while the great Baroque & Roll is typical neo-classical Metal. The title really says it all. Majestic Blue is more mellow and emotional.

There are no weak tracks on this album. However, we all know that Yngwie can play fast and even though his playing is unique it becomes a bit monotone. Particularly since the album has a playing time of 70 minutes. The album highlights are the ones that derive a bit from the Yngwie Malmsteen formula. The tough mid tempo song Stronghold is an album favorite along with Touch the Sky. Both are fantastic songs and definitely the best melody wise. Touch the Sky is very much in the same vein as You don't remember, I'll never Forget with great keyboards played by Derek Sherinian, who is probably the best keyboard player since the departure of Jens Johansson.

Razor Eater is a more vocal oriented song with a typical Yngwie scale run as signature riff. Yngwie is handling the vocals on Freedom. Along with Stronghold this song must have the toughest groove. Yngwie's raw vocal works well on Freedom, which basically is 3 verses, lots of guitar solos, heavy rhythm guitar and a kick ass riff.

Overall the album has a great vibe. Especially Dougie White and Yngwie sound in good form. This album is recommendable for both new and older Malmsteen fans. Also people who disliked the production on "War to End All Wars" should give "Attack" a listen.

Next week will feature an interview with Yngwie Malmsteen himself.

Written by Michael
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Show all reviews by Michael

Ratings

Michael: 7/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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Comment by Joakim Hall (Anonymous) - Sunday, September 29, 2002

I'd say this is the best Malmsteen record for years. I've always liked the early records of YJM:s Rising Force and for me many tracks feel "back to the roots". My favourite tracks are Rise Up, Valley of the Kings, Stronghold and Touch the sky. Well, compared to Yngwie himself this is a great album. If you're not into Yngwie that maybe this is not for you, but for me this is really good.

Comment by Algirdas (Anonymous) - Monday, September 30, 2002

The album "Attack!!" is really great! Tough guitars and strong voice of Dougie White. It sounds really new compared to the last two albums. But this album also has weak sides: 1) Some riffs and melodies are absolutely the same like in Yngwie's earlier albums. 2) There's no ballad on this album. 3) It's a pity, that such a superb keyboard player as Derek Sherenian had not enough space to show his skills. I know, you can say, that it isn't his music, that it's the music written by maestro Malmsteen, but the album would sound better, if some worn out guitar solos would be changed by fresh-sounding keyboard solos. Anyway, the album sounds very good and I'm listening for it again and again. Most of songs are really great, but the most catchy is "Rise Up". It's easier for me to name the songs, which sounds weaker to me, cause they are only two: "Stronghold" and "Freedom". Of course it's good that Yngwie don't afraid to sing, but the result is a little bit funny:) So, my rating for this album is 8/10 compared to his best albums and 9/10 generally.

Comment by Black Howling (Anonymous) - Saturday, May 11, 2002

I am a rock n roll fan since mid 80's, and I never had the early pleasure of listening to any of YJM songs till '99. This is the first time I heard the maestro play on 'Inspiration'., and it had all my major and early influences blown and burned up into the air., for me, there is only one that can show, and at the same time take me there--to the wonderful mysticsm of pure rock n roll!!!--by the way, 'Attack's not in the Philippines yet, but Ill get to it once sighted..<<>>

Comment by Maxim Tkachuk (Anonymous) - Friday, October 11, 2002

Superb album! Best songs:'Razor eater' and 'Mad dog'

Comment by Ben (Anonymous) - Monday, November 11, 2002

Good comeback from the disappointing WTEAW. "Baroque and Roll" is a revisit to "Far beyond the Sun", and "Valley Of Kings" could have come from the 'trilogy' era. But overall this is quite fresh and inspired. 7.5/10

Comment by Brian Ewert - 12/18/02 (Anonymous) - Thursday, December 19, 2002

Not a bad effort - Not the album of years gone by with Vescera, Mats, Boals, Sparks, Terrana, but not bad either like WTEAW's. Doogie is alright, not the range you will hope for, and it's still the Yngwie show!! 4-5 really good songs, and you get to hear the master himself take the lead vocal on a song. Typical Riffs - 7 YJM fan - 8.

Comment by karma (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 3, 2003

hey people... it doens't matter if your reviews are good or bad... yngwie is far beyond good and evil... he is the MAESTRO and this time he simply give a lesson to all his detractors and copy cats!!!!!!!

Comment by Matt (Anonymous) - Thursday, January 27, 2005

I love Yngwie, he's probably my biggest musical influence as a matter of fact, but GOD he has so many albums... He just churns the damn things out! The reason there's 16 tracks on here is because a bunch of them are just generic Yngwie riffs in D# harmonic minor (surprise surprise), and then a 2-minute solo moved a whole-step up (hmm) and then a repeat of the chorus. "In the Name of God" or "Iron Clad," for example. I also don't like the vocals much, the only Yngwie vocals I ever really liked were Mark Boals'. The drumming is awesome here, and of course the guitars are Yngwie. Keyboards aren't nearly as prevalent as on some of his other albums, which I missed. Anyway, aside from the "filler" songs, there's some awesome (and more memorable) stuff on here. "Ship of Fools," which is of course a fan favorite, is catchy as hell and has an awesome chorus. Funny thing is, it's the same progression as in Hammerfall's song "Renegade" but Yngwie doesn't make it suck. "Valley of Kings" is pretty cool and has an interesting riff, but the vocal sections are waaay too long. "Stronghold," while still in D#m, is a nice midtempo break from Yngwie's typical style. "Majestic Blue" is one of Yngwie's more creative tracks and it kicks ass. I won't mention all the songs (and there are a lot of them) but hey, it's Yngwie, you know pretty much what to expect. They're not lying, it probably IS his best in a long time. Don't think he'll ever top Rising Force though. Probably worth buying if not just for the sheer QUANTITY of songs. Don't get me wrong this IS a very good album but some of the songs have absolutely nothing memorable in them. And why'd he open it with Razor Eater? That song is one of the album's weak points. Anyways, 7.5/10.

Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Sunday, March 6, 2005

View Profile Comments: 166 Ratings: 46 Most of Malmsteen I have found difficult to listen to after the Odyssey release. There are only really 2 stand out releases since, which is Concerto and War to End All Wars seeing the return of Boals on vocals for the latter. The Muddy production I felt made the songs in your face and raw (intensity). Much in the same way Iron Maiden was from Brave.. to Dance... Posted by Little Drummer Boy Sunday, March 6, 2005