Alchemy

Alchemy is a neoclassical-metal record on which Yngwie Malmsteen unifies Baroque harmony, rapid scales and dramatic riffs. The guitar shows overwhelming skill yet functions as a lead melody guiding the tension and release of the songs, never ending as a mere speed showcase. From the speed of the opener “Blitzkrieg” and the drama of “Leonardo” to the drive of “Playing with Fire,” the three-part “Asylum” suite and “Legion of the Damned,” a dark, solemn mood and stately choruses form the core of the record. Beyond the flashy solos, the drama running through the whole is striking. By thoroughly pursuing his own style, it makes his distinctive world even clearer. On the very eve of the millennium, it is reassuring to hear a stance that refuses to drift with trends and holds the neoclassical idiom without hesitation. Binding technique and construction, aggression and grandeur at a high level, it is a dense, engaging guitar-metal record.