Unleash the Fury

Unleash the Fury is a neoclassical-metal record on which Yngwie Malmsteen layers flowing speed playing, classical harmony and powerful riffs. The density of technique is very high, yet a blues-derived drive and rock-and-roll momentum remain in the songs, so it never ends as merely fast. From the aggression of “Locked & Loaded” and the drive of “Revolution” to the drama of “Crown of Thorns” and the scale of the title track “Unleash the Fury,” the songs show wide-ranging faces, while a classical miniature like “Fuguetta” and the flair of “Magic and Mayhem” give variety to a long program. The guitar is the lead, yet the drama of the melody and the push of the rhythm carry the music forward. Even within a volume approaching a double album, Yngwie’s unchanging character runs densely throughout, which is striking. Concentrating speed, beauty of form and rock-and-roll drive in one record, it is an engaging guitar-metal work.