Let it be known that I have not been a fan of
the previous two Yngwie Malmsteen releases. The initial feedback
from fans about Attack gave me a good feeling, the title song
sounded quite promising and I like Doogie White. Now I've
had the album for a few days and...
Well well. It´s not bad at all. I think
it's his best since Facing The Animal, which I really liked.
But it took a few plays to get into and that may be the case
for others too. IMHO the running order could have been better.
Neither Razor Eater or Rise
Up are the best choices to start the album with: I
would have got a better first impression if
Attack or In The Name Of God
had led the album off. But as I said, give it a chance and
it sure grows on you.
Could it have been better? Yes. No doubt. What
does annoy is that a lot (NOT all) of the vocal melodies and
most of the lyrics are sub-standard. Listen to what Doogie
could have contributed by picking up Cornerstone's "Human
Stain" album which is excellent. Why Yngwie insists on
doing everything is just beyond me. You wouldn't expect Doogie
to play better lead guitar than YJM so why expect YJM to write
better lyrics and melodies than Doogie?
The production is better than WTEAW but since
Antonio (Yngwie´s 3-year old son for those who don't
know!) could have done a better job mixing the latter that
is not saying much. Actually the production on Attack STILL
could be better. You wanna know what a top quality production
job is? Check out Cornerstone or the last 3 Royal Hunt or
Kamelot albums, or Adagio, or Impelliteri. All class jobs.
The rhythm guitar on Attack sounds a bit muddy and the vocals
a bit muted. And the drums are not as awesome sounding as
some may lead you to believe.
The instrumentals on Attack are IMHO a complete
waste of time. They're uninspired and Air
is just dullsville. I have to say that a lot of the solos
are also pretty repetitive - I have heard many of these licks
used many times before. Yngwie could do with getting some
new Inspiration (pun not intended) rather than rehashing the
same old themes.
Despite the above reservations: I emphasise
that IMHO Attack is the best metal album Yngwie's done since
Facing The Animal. Ship Of Fools,
In The Name Of God, Attack,
and Ironclad (despite being a
revisiting of Motherless Child!) are more or less flawless,
while Touch The Sky and Mad
Dog (a riff to die for!) are very good indeed.
Valhalla is
not bad either and even Razor Eater
and Rise Up have their appeal
after time. All in all, it´s a good album. I just think
it could have been a classic. I look forward to the tour!
Review by Stephen Leon
