TO SHRED OR NOT TO SHRED

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YNGWIE MALMSTEEN: “IT’S LIKE PAGANINI ON ACID!”

Shred pioneer Yngwie Malmsteen showcased his virtuosity in a blues-driven format on 2019’s Blue Lightning. But on new album Parabellum he’s up to his usual tricks…

With Parabellum, was it a conscious decision to return to the neoclassical metal style you invented?

I didn’t really intend to do anything one way or another. This had nothing to do with going back to my roots. When I did the blues album, it was almost on-request! People really wanted me to go in that direction. This time I must have written around 100 songs... Or at least 80. Then I have to choose 10 and these ones feel special to me. I would describe them as pure. Because, if you wanted me to, I could write you a country and western song. I could write you a death metal song. I could write whatever the f*ck you want, just give me 10 minutes and I’ll have it for you. But that’s not how I like to create music.

So how exactly do you like to create music?

Improvisation is the genesis for