What happens when you have to write certain songs because that's expected from you but you, yourself couldn't care less about it? That's a little how it feels with Yngwie Malmsteen these days. He still produces really good albums and the concerts have been absolutely fantastic. But the parts that are the best on the albums are quite far away from the first 5-6 albums. Then, with the neo-classic touch but still really catchy melodic Metal tunes: "Relentless" holds a couple of quite good songs in that vein too but the best parts are the instrumental ones. At those points, no matter if it is the blusey ones or if it is the arpeggio-hysteric melodies that has been Yngwie's trademark throughout his career. In those songs, he feels inspired and plays with such passion the hairs in my neck stand straight up. "Cross To Bare" is a perfect example of just that, really amazing performance and a great variance in the music, seven and a half minute instrumental song that never gets boring, only the absolute best ones manages to pull off. "Knight Of The Wasa Order" is another favorite which is a mix of melancholic melodies, heavy riffs and some really good solos.

Extremely heavy "Enemy Within" became quickly a favorite of the non instrumental. It perhaps isn't the typical Yngwie tune, but it holds a cool riff and a "Stargazer" kind of vocal line and then switches over in something quite different to be Yngwie, both in scales and style. Tim "Ripper" Owens does his strongest effort on the album on this track too. "Caged Animal" isn't all bad either, this one is perhaps the one most similar to the old days. Even if I really like Ripper as a singer he doesn't have the same clear voice as many of Yngwie's previous vocalists possessed. It's perhaps because of this "Relentless" doesn't feel as melodic and interesting as the classic ones.

Yngwie Malmsteen is back with a new release entitled "Relentless". His playing seems to me to be the same as it always is. It has the neo-classical structures and the speed. It is not an instrumental album, due to the fact that Tim Owens is on board. Tim makes everything he appears on better just because he is there. I love the guy. Yngwie is all over the fret board causing mayhem and whirlwinds of noise. The problem with the masturbatory soling is that after a while it all blends together and sounds the same. I know that is part and parcel of the guitar shredder's repertoire. I like how he has included classical choir parts ala "O' Fortuna". It sounds really great and adds much needed depth to a bunch of shredding.

Amongst the noise there is indeed a lot of solid structure. The album isn't all buzzing bee's and fret board abuse. I have a problem how Yngwie doesn't use different sounding guitars for his soloing. I would like him to change it up a bit. Use different equipment and gear to provide more than a single sounding "arpeggios from hell". I mean, use a few pedals, change up the sound. There is only so much similarity that I can take. All of that aside, he is one of the greatest players to ever live. There is absolutely no doubt about it. I would be sad to watch him play live and see "Ripper" just standing there banging his head for ten minutes waiting for Yngwie to drop him a few bread crumbs and let his sing a few lines before launching into some more shredding. Tim Owens is just as good a singer as Yngwie is a player, but you would never know that from listening to the album.

I am sorry Yngwie; you are not the only guy in the band. You picked a sensational star singer that has fronted two of the best bands in all of Heavy Metal, JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH. Give the man something to do. I think Mr. Malmsteen needs a little ego adjustment. I wouldn't be saying that if it was a true instrumental album. I just find this to be great playing with a begrudging nod to Tim. I have always been a much bigger Tim Owens fan than an Yngwie fan, so consider the bias before you choose to make a purchase. Yngwie is an awesome guitar player and this is simply more proof of the matter. I only wish he would make an honest Heavy Metal album where the singer is on the majority of the songs. It is more commercially viable and would gain him more fans. Not everyone is keen on hearing a two hour live guitar solo.