Legendary metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, on an extended World on Fire tour, treats a metal hungry crowd at Louisville’s Mercury Ballroom to an outstanding night of epic music.
With a career spanning more than 40 years and over twenty albums to his name, Yngwie Malmsteen rolled back time, all the way back to the 1980’s, with a classic performance. Drawing influence from classical composers such as Bach, Paganini, and Vivaldi, Yngwie is responsible for bringing the neo-classical genre to the world of rock.
On a stage saturated with deep red lights, the backdrop is old school throwback, a solid wall of Marshall amps (there were 52 heads) blasted the crowd with sound. As the house lights drop, Yngwie was just off stage tearing through a few riffs, egging the crowd for more energy. In a blink of the eye, Yngwie bounded on stage, fog cannons blasting as the opening chords of “Rising Force” washed over the room.
The evening show was loaded with many of Yngwie’s signature tricks, throwing his guitar over his shoulder, spinning the guitar itself in a Pete Townshend type fashion; kicking what seemed like 100’s of picks into the audience with his leather boots. At one point during a “Fuguetta” solo, Yngwie, with his guitar laying face down on a speaker generated an enchanting feedback sound before finally pulling and breaking strings as he ravaged his guitar.
The night was classic Yngwie Malmsteen as he shredded his way through several classical Bach and Paganini covers along with many from the early 80‘s albums Rising Force, Marching Out, Oddessy, and Trilogy. The title track from his newest album “World on Fire” complete with a new guitar was followed by a classic rendition of “Ships Are Burned” with a very old, well-worn guitar.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and tonight was no different. Yngwie ended his main set with an absolute classic from the golden age of rock and electric guitar, “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”. His two-song encore featured one of Yngwie’s masterpieces, “Black Star” followed by huge hit and fan favorite “I’ll See the Light Tonight” ending the evening with a giant exclamation point.
Providing the main support this evening was New York-based metallers, Sunlord. Founded in 2004 by Argentinian vocalist and guitarist Alfonso Ferrazza, Sunlord unleased rock-solid set of old school metal, complete with the solid drum and bass lines, screaming guitars and gravelly vocals.
