Throwback Thursday: "Marching Out", by Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force

In 1985 the world had already gotten a decent taste of a young hotshot neo-classical guitarist from Sweden by the name of Yngwie Malmsteen through his work with Alcatrazz and as a solo artist having released his own solo album. To carry on the momentum he had going, Malmsteen went back into the studio with his band to write and record what is arguably one of his most popular albums to date: Marching Out.

Marching Out is pretty much everything you would expect from an Yngwie Malmsteen album. It's loud, heavy, and full of tons of neo-classical melodic shredding. The lyrics are pretty fantasy themed, but that is no surprise considering Malmsteen's obsession with being like Ritchie Blackmore. What really makes this album as good as it is though is vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. The man's vocals could get ridiculously high while still staying in his range and sounding melodic. This was his second album with Malmsteen and you can tell that the two of them by this point were really in sync with one another.

I'll See the Light Tonight is the track that drew me in to Marching Out. Overall it reminds me a bit of We Rock, by Dio, but it's still very much its own thing. I love its fast intensity while at certain moments it will have a lightning fast set of melodic notes thrown in. This is definitely Malmsteen staying in his wheelhouse, but this was at the time when said wheelhouse was freshly built and not an overused cliche. I can definitely appreciate this song for what it is.

For a track that is much more its own thing, check out Soldier Without Faith. It starts off with a tension building synth intro which leads into an aggressive guitar riff with some fretwork fireworks following shortly after. What makes the song do it for me though is that verse riff and Soto's vocals. It's absolutely intense and will make your jaw hit the floor if you have never heard anything like it before. It's a longer song, but that's ok. Nothing wrong with some extended soloing here and there.

I'll be honest with you. I'm not Yngwie Malmsteen's biggest fan. Quite frankly I think he is smug, over rated, arrogant, and full of himself. He also isn't as great of a player as he thinks he is considering he never leaves the E flat Phrygian scale and plays fairly sloppily. That aside, there was a point in time where his playing was actually a little bit dazzling and pleasing to the ear. I feel Marching Out is one of the best things to come out of that period even if it too was somewhat repetitive. It has its moments and will have you coming back to at least maybe two or three of its songs. The whole album is worth checking out at least once, though.

Marching Out, by Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force receives 2.7 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Prelude
2. I'll See the Light Tonight
3. Don't Let it End
4. Disciples of Hell
5. I am a Viking
6. Overture 1383
7. Anguish and Fear
8. On the Run Again
9. Soldier Without Faith
10. Caught in the Middle
11. Marching Out

Buy the album on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Marching-Yngwie-MalmsteenS-Rising-Force/dp/B000V63BEA/ref=ice_ac_b_dpb?ie=UTF8&qid=1512092578&sr=8-1&keywords=yngwie+malmsteen+marching+out

Unheard Link Wray Song "Son of Rumble" Finally Sees Light of Day

Link Wray is definitely one of the mostly unsung pioneers of rock n' roll. In 1958 he put out a hit instrumental song titled Rumble. It was a special song because during this time distortion was not a thing yet, but Wray using clever methods such as stabbing his amplifier with pencils managed to acquire a rather unique overdriven quality to his sound. Wray came up with all kinds of psychedelic effects long before the existence of pedals as well. His contributions have been noted because Wray is now up for induction into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. In order to boost awareness of the nomination, Black Keys guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach has released an unheard song of Wray's by the name of Son of Rumble (which can be heard above) on his personal record label Easy Eye Sound.

Easy Eye Sound intends to release the song as a 7 inch single on April 13th for Record Store Day, but in the mean time they have released the song on YouTube and even created an animated video to go along with it.

The video has a great deal of late 50's visuals to treat the eye all in black and white. From pin-up girls to motorcycles to guitars to playing cards to other trippy visuals and photos of Wray there is definitely a lot to take in. However, it seems to add to the experience because it matches the psychedelic overtone of the song perfectly and makes you feel like you're being drawn into another dimension created in another time.

The song itself contains many similar themes to the original Rumble, but it is very much its own thing. For one thing, the song is a lot more upbeat and electric guitar focused than the original and also features a great deal more in the way of reverb and tremolo. Definitely innovative for the time period. It goes back and forth between chords and single string picking rather seamlessly. This is acid trip music before there was even such a thing.

Son of Rumble definitely could have been a hit to some degree or another back when it was originally recorded. It's a shame that Wray never released it in his lifetime. Fortunately we have people like Dan Auerbach who know and appreciate people like Link Wray and can bring us old music that we may never have heard or known of otherwise.

Judas Priest Release Audio Sample and Cover Art for New Album

Judas Priest have been working away at making a brand new studio album. You know, for a band that said a while back that they were retiring they sure do seem to keep busy. Anyway, they just put out an audio sample (which can be heard in the video above) and the cover art (which can be viewed below) for their upcoming record Fire Power.

The cover art doesn't seem to be anything special or out of the ordinary for Judas Priest, but that's ok. You can't judge a book by its cover. What is important is the music. That said, the clip that they released....WOW. These guys have been at it for well over 40 years and they are still just as thrilling, heavy, driven, creative, etc. as they were when they were making albums like Hellbent for Leather or Painkiller.

Fire Power is set to hit the shelves March of next year. Judas Priest has yet to give an exact date, though. I don't know about you, but if the whole album is anything like what we heard in that 15 second clip then I'm pretty excited and feel it will be a pretty great record. Rob Halford can still scream like a banshee and guitarist Richie Faulkner has really come up in his balls as a player and writer for Judas Priest. Hopefully they release a full single soon.

AC/DC Vocalist Brian Johnson Opens Up About Fallen Band Mate Malcolm Young

Photo courtesy of NME.

Rhythm guitarist and founding AC/DC member Malcolm Young sadly passed away from Dementia, lung cancer, a heart condition, etc. this past weekend. It was a very somber occasion indeed. Among all of the heartfelt statements given about the rock n' roll pioneer, his former band mate vocalist Brian Johnson has just now given a statement on his feelings toward him.

In his first interview with Rolling Stone in two years, he among other things said about Malcolm:

"Malcolm never missed a trick. He paid attention to everything. Onstage he was always watching, taking in things and making sure it wouldn't happen again if he didn't like the look of some lights or something. ... Malcolm gave rock 'n' roll a fist. He'd give it a kick in the ass."

It's definitely a touching thing to see Johnson say so many kind things about his former band mate. They really seemed to develop a real familial bond over the years that even the two of them no longer being in AC/DC together could break. I kind of understand that myself because I've experienced some similar stuff. Some times a relationship will transcend working together in a band to something greater.

Writer's Moment:

Just so you're not wondering why I dropped off the face of the planet, I am going to be taking the whole Thanksgiving weekend off to relax and spend time with my loved ones. Business as usual will resume on Monday. I hope those of you also celebrating have an excellent time doing the same and remember all of the good things you have in life even among the storms of crap that hit you in the face every day.

Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Cancels Solo Tour Due to Health Issues

Photo courtesy of Loudwire

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has kept himself busy over the past few years despite the fact that he did not partake in the Black Sabbath reunion. One of the ways he has done so is with his own solo band Day of Errors. Day of Errors had a tour coming up, but the dates for next month have been cancelled due to unspecified heart problems.

Ward made a statement on his personal Facebook page making the sad announcement and only covers enough to give fans the basic gist of what is going on, saying:

"Bill Ward/Day Of Errors Tour Dates Canceled
Hi Everyone,
It’s with great, great sadness that I must tell you I have to cancel the Day Of Errors tour dates scheduled in December. I wound up in hospital this past weekend with heart problems. I am OK and in good recovery at this time. However, I’ve never experienced this particular type of heart problem before, and due to its nature, I had to make the decision to cancel the dates. I want to send my sincere apologies to everyone who was planning to come out to the shows. I’m so sorry we won’t be making it – I was looking forward to seeing you all and sharing this music with you. I’ll be in touch soon.
All my love,
Bill
All Bill Ward/Day of Errors tour dates have been canceled and will not be rescheduled. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Tickets purchased through an online ticketing agency will be automatically refunded. Please allow 7-10 days for refunds to appear.
Thursday, December 7 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
Friday, December 8 – Seattle, WA – High Dive
Saturday, December 9 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
Tuesday, December 12 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Wednesday, December 13 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
Thursday, December 14 – Ventura, CA – The Garage
Friday, December 15 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah"

Sadly this is not the first time Ward has had issues with his heart. He had a mild heart attack that caused him to have to sit out a tour that Black Sabbath was doing in Europe. This and multiple other health complications have hindered him a great deal in recent years. I just hope for his sake that Ward can get as well as he can and really get his act together so that we don't lose yet another remarkable musical talent.

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #143

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

1. Is This Love, by Whitesnake

Who hasn't heard this classic? It's like the king of cheesy 80's power ballads. I'll tell you who, though. My girlfriend. When I put it on in the truck for her I figured she'd know it and we'd have a singalong. Instead she had no idea what was going on and referred to it as "weird 80's porn music". I couldn't help but laugh and be dumbstruck. I mean, she isn't entirely wrong but I was surprised that she of all people had never heard this before.

2. Without You, by Motley Crue

Funny story about this song. Most people think it's just another cheesy 80's hair metal love ballad, but in reality bassist and primary Motley Crue song writer Nikki Sixx actually wrote it during the worst part of his heroin addiction about drugs. If you REALLY listen to it and know the context of the song's genesis then it makes a whole lot more sense and you feel more sad for him than anything else. I know I'll never be able to hear this song as a sweet ballad for the ladies ever again.

3. Every Rose Has Its Thorn, by Poison

This is definitely 80's power ballad trash at its finest. Poison never really was about making real honest music to begin with, but this kind of solidifies the fact that they're all about the glitz and glamour over everything else. Gotta have a soft, laid back song for the ladies, right? That said, even though I'm ragging on them that doesn't change the fact that this song does in fact have some aurally pleasing elements to it. It didn't land itself a place as an 80's staple for no reason.

4. Angel, by Aerosmith

Once Aerosmith came back with the Permanent Vacation album in 1987, they essentially became just another pop rock band pushing out song after song for the sake of having hits and gaining commercial success to keep the train a-rollin' despite the fact that they were no longer spring chickens when compared to the more modern and hip acts at the time. This song is a major reflection of that point in time. I will give credit where it's due, though. Those vocal harmonies are without a doubt one of the most dynamite things I've ever heard in all my life.

5. You Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone), by Cinderella

Just for good measure, we're throwing a piano driven power ballad into the mix. The lyrics aren't exactly the best written, but I guess when you're that good looking, have that nice of a voice, and are setting everything to soft instruments then it doesn't really matter. I do like the vocal melodies and harmonies in this one. The piano riffing is also pretty nice as well. You can definitely tell that they are more meant for doing string snapping, rip-roaring rock n' roll though.

Special Report: AC/DC Co-Founder and Rhythm Guitarist Malcolm Young Dead

Photo courtesy of acdc.com

Normally I don't post on Saturdays, but today I'm making a special exception and for good reason. AC/DC co-founder and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young has sadly passed away at the age of 64 from Dementia.

As Young was aging it was getting more and more difficult for him to remember how to play the songs and to stay mentally present. He had been suffering from Dementia for a long while by this point, which was also the cause of him being forced to retire from the band a few years back.

AC/DC put out a statement on their official website, saying:

"It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Malcolm Young, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Malcolm had been suffering from Dementia for several years and passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside.

Renowned for his musical prowess Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many. From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans.

Malcolm is survived by his loving wife O'Linda, children Cara and Ross, son-in-law Josh, three grandchildren, sister and brother.

While thanking all for their overwhelming support and heartfelt condolences, the family ask that you respect their privacy during this time of heartbreak and grief.

For those wishing to send messages to the family please visit the Sydney Morning Herald Malcolm Young Memorial website which will be available next week.

The family have asked instead of flowers to send donations to The Salvation Army."

Lead guitarist Angus Young made his own separate statement on his older brother's passing, saying:

"Malcolm, along with Angus, was the founder and creator of AC/DC.

With enormous dedication and commitment he was the driving force behind the band.

As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary he was a perfectionist and a unique man.

He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted.

He took great pride in all that he endeavored.

His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed.

As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special.

He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever.

Malcolm, job well done."

Malcolm Young and Angus Young started AC/DC together in 1973 in Sydney, Australia. Malcolm co-wrote most if not all of AC/DC's material. Most if not all of the big riffs in all of those hits and other great songs were his doing. He was a big part of what made the AC/DC engine turn. Without him there would be no Back in Black. There would be no Dirty Deeds. There would be no For Those About to Rock. There would be no Highway to Hell. You get the idea, I'm sure.

I find myself at a loss a bit because Malcolm Young was a HUGE inspiration to me (as well as countless other people) as a musician, especially when I first picked up the guitar. His monstrous rough riffs and excellent song writing in tandem with Angus's guitar solos made me want to play rock n' roll too. When I was a teenager I used to listen to every AC/DC record all the way through on repeat every day. The high voltage rock n' roll I was listening to charged me with a spark of life that I had never experienced before and have never experienced anywhere else in life. Without him the course of my life would have been entirely different.

Before I knew about AC/DC I didn't know that rock n' roll or even music in general could have such balls, energy, and thrill to it. When I was a kid and first experiencing this music though, you can bet that I was blown away beyond all the far reaches of the imagination. Up to that point all I had ever really heard was 50's and 60's light rock and pop. Stuff that was rated G, you know? It was good enough at the time, but it didn't do much besides entertain me a little for a few minutes at a time. When I heard AC/DC though, that was when I understood just how awesome music could be and it made me want to play too. In a sense, Malcolm Young was responsible for this grand fantastic change in my life.

My thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the Young family in their time of great sorrow and strife. I can't begin to imagine how difficult this is for them. If any of them by any slim chance happen to read this blog, I want them to know that Malcolm meant a great deal to me too. He and his music changed my life in so many ways for the better and I will never be able to thank him enough for it.