Tokyo Live by guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen is set to blast out in full aurally as of 28th March when Music Theories Recordings release the brand new album. A celebration of the musician’s 40-year career, for those who can’t wait, a blistering taster has been offered his fans with the video for new single’Top Down, Foot Down’ out now.
‘Top Down, Foot Down’ is taken from the 2016 album, World On Fire and showcases the wide range and dynamic flavour that demonstrates Malmsteen’s fury and elegance, all encapsulated in a just under two-minute version of the song.
“’Top Down, Foot Down’ is one of my favourite live numbers, C#m arpeggios into E arpeggios and a fluid C#m melody with flat 5th diminished and suspended resolution. The title also depicts my love of convertible cruising,” the guitarist elablorated.
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. Talking about the live experience, Malmsteen added, “Playing live in front of people is really what it’s all about. It’s exciting and dangerous because you have to take risks and there’s no fixing afterwards.”
Malmsteen’s – some would say breathtaking – technique takes centre stage of the 100-minute concert whilst being cocooned by exquisite musicianship throughout.
CD1 features the tracks: Rising Force’, ‘Top Down Foot Down’, ‘No Rest For The Wicked’, ‘Soldier’, ‘Into Valhalla’, ‘Baroque & Roll’, ‘Like An Angel’, ‘Relentless Fury’, ‘Now Your Ships Are Burned’, ‘Wolves At The Door’, ‘Hiroshima Mon Amour’, ‘(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum’, ‘Badinere’, ‘Paganini’s 4th’, ‘Adagio’, ‘Far Beyond The Sun’ and ‘Arpeggios From Hell’.
CD1 features the tracks: ‘Seventh Sign’, ‘Toccata’, ‘Evil Eye’, ‘Smoke On The Water’, ‘Trilogy-Vengeance’, ‘Cadenza’, ‘Brothers’, ‘Fugue’, ‘Cadenza 2 – Grand Finale’, ‘You Don’t Remember I’ll Never Forget’, ‘Acoustic Cadenza’, ‘Black Star’ and ‘I’ll See The Light Tonight’.
The name of Yngwie Malmsteen has always stood for uncompromising excellence. In a career that now spans more than 40 years he has proven himself to be a unique artist. You can try to categorise him in any way you wish. But the manner in which this supreme Swedish craftsman has continually developed his music makes Malmsteen tends to transcend definitions imposed.
With a catalogue of 22 solo studio albums, Malmsteen’s artistry has always clearly incorporated a healthy virtuosity, but beyond a comprehensive control of the guitar he is a composer and, on recent releases, has also showcased a strong vocal presence and now, with only this fifth live release, it captures four decades of relentless fury and blissful artistry.
You can order Tokyo Live by clicking here.
