Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen discussed his plans for the sequel to his most recent album, “Parabellum,” which was released in July 2021 via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group, in an interview with Eddie Trunk at the 2026 Monsters of Rock festival in São Paulo, Brazil, in early April, as per Blabbermouth.
I just finished recording a new album. I’ve been in the studio almost five months straight.
Yngwie stated this about the musical direction of his forthcoming album.
Well, it’s very Malmsteen-esque. It will be everything you expect and then some.
Malmsteen responded as follows when asked if the album is entirely instrumental or has vocals.
Oh, yeah. I sing about four songs. And then [the rest of it is] instrumental. It’s a mix. But it’s made especially for the vinyl. So it’s exactly 46 minutes [long]. I made it especially so it’s gonna be a vinyl record. It’s gonna come out on everything, but it’s made to fit perfectly on a vinyl LP.
Malmsteen also discussed how he approached the creation of the new record.
I have the luxury of owning my own [recording studio], so I go in when I’m inspired. And I decided a long time ago, I’m not gonna try to do something special, either what other people think I should do or decide [ahead of time which direction to go] — except sometimes [I say], ‘Okay, I’m gonna make a blues album,’ or, ‘I’m gonna make an acoustic album,’ which has happened. But when I make the records that are, let’s say, an Yngwie Malmsteen album, I just let it flow. And I come up with maybe a hundred ideas and I use nine or 10. So I take the best of what I think is the best, the most dramatic stuff, most interesting stuff — not necessarily a decided direction or whatever. It’s just natural, whatever comes out. And this particular album is gonna be very neoclassical.
Yngwie responded as follows when asked what the secret is to making instrumental music successful and able to reach a wider audience.
I don’t know, but I decided a long time ago to make honest music. Not to try to do something that’s fashionable or follow a trend or do what other people say. But what I’ve always done is [made] passionate music. Like [Italian violinist and composer] Niccolò Paganini said, one must feel strongly to make others feel strongly. So I feel very strongly about the music, and apparently that translates out. So it seems to work.
The guitarist responded as follows when asked about his next touring schedule.
We go to Europe in June, and then we go home a little bit, and then we go back to Europe in July. And then in September, I think we’re in Asia. Then October, November, United States.
Upcoming shows:
