Legendary guitar virtuoso YNGWIE MALMSTEEN is set to release his brand new album, “Tokyo Live“, on April 25 via Music Theories Recordings. The incomparable Malmsteen is one of the greatest rock guitarists to ever have lived. So, when the chance comes to witness the maestro in the live setting, you take notice.
The concert was recorded at the Zepp DiverCity, Tokyo, on May 11th 2024 as part of his 40th Anniversary World Tour. Calling upon an enormous catalogue of material, Malmsteen shredded his way through a furious set, backed by a mountainous Marshall stack wall.
The setlist tracks Malmsteen’s illustrious career, from “Hiroshima Mon Amour” and “Evil Eye” and through his remarkable solo career with “Rising Force,” “Far Beyond The Sun,” “Arpeggios from Hell” and “Seventh Sign” all the way up to his most recent material taken from 2021’s ‘Parabellum,’ with “Wolves At The Door,” “Relentless Fury”, and not to mention rousing renditions of “Paganini’s 4th” and “Smoke on the Water.”
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.
Showcasing his impressive career to date, Yngwie’s show features an equally impressive musicianship from his band mates who deserve their own credit – I believe that’s Emilio Martinez handling bass and some vocals, Nick Marino on keys, and Kevin Klingenschmid manning the drums. Their collective effort creates fantastic noise in Japan, perfectly captured in this recording.
Multiple releases from Yngwie have crossed our path – some fantastic, others lacking. But when the songs hit, they impact with sledgehammer-to-the-face force.
The live show opens with classic Rising Force, and while Yngwie’s vocals certainly deliver, guest appearances from original vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, Joe, and others would have benefited this special performance. After all, your identity forms from the sum of parts, and Yngwie’s global popularity rose considerably when he transitioned from instrumental to vocal-led albums.
Despite the absence of vocalists like Mark Boals, Göran Edman, Michael Vescera, Mats Levén, Doogie White, Tim “Ripper” Owens, or Jeff (aside from saving on Tokyo airfares for everyone), Yngwie deserves credit for his vocal efforts. While he might not shatter glass, he maintains his own well, with passionate vocals that complement the songs effectively.
The guitar work naturally takes center stage, with the mix accentuating this unsurprisingly. Yngwie clearly plays at level 11, sounding at least one louder than everyone else.
Highly Recommended
CD 1
1. Rising Force (Live)
2. Top Down Foot Down (Live)
3. No Rest For The Wicked (Live)
4. Soldier (Live)
5. Into Valhalla (Live)
6. Baroque & Roll (Live)
7. Like An Angel (Live)
8. Relentless Fury (Live)
9. Now Your Ships Are Burned (Live)
10. Wolves At The Door (Live)
11. Hiroshima Mon Amour (Live)
12. (Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum (Live)
13. Badinere (Live)
14. Paganini’s 4th (Live)
15. Adagio (Live)
16. Far Beyond The Sun (Live)
17. Arpeggios From Hell (Live)
CD 2:
1. Seventh Sign (Live)
2. Toccata (Live)
3. Evil Eye (Live)
4. Smoke On The Water (Live)
5. Trilogy-Vengeance (Live)
6. Cadenza 1 (Live)
7. Brothers (Live)
8. Fugue (Live)
9. Cadenza 2 – Grand Finale (Live)
10. You Don’t Remember I’ll Never Forget (Live)
11. Acoustic Cadenza (Live)
12. Black Star (Live)
13. I’ll See The Light Tonight (Live)
Yngwie – lead & backing vocals, guitars
Emilio Martinez – lead & backing vocals, bass
Nick Marino – keys
Kevin Klingenschmid – drums
Yngwie Malmsteen – Tokyo Live 2025, MP3+FLAC
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