Spellbound

Spellbound is a record on which Yngwie Malmsteen holds the beauty of neoclassical-metal form through classical phrasing, fast guitar runs and dramatic harmony. At the center is the overwhelming guitar, yet the songs move through the contrast of riff and melody. From the speed of the title track “Spellbound” and the technique of “High Compression Fugue” to the construction of the “Majestic 12 Suite” and the drama of “Nazca Lines” and “God of War,” the songs show varied faces while centering on instrumentals, and a humorous title like “Turbo Amadeus” conveys his playful way of linking classical and rock. Within the run of fast playing, Baroque tension and rock-and-roll drive coexist. With the guitar carrying nearly all the melody, it is a record that lets you immerse deeply in Yngwie’s guitar world. Thoroughly pursuing technique and beauty of form, it is a flashy, extreme work — a fulfilling record ideal for when you want to savor his guitar itself.