Dont forget Norifumi Shima!!
Wow, wasn’t expecting what that developed into, incredible vibe!
Thanks for sharing that. It’s almost like his tone is DI here.
Wow, this is one of those threads where every response is going to be Wow
Couple great recommendations here - I came in here meaning to post Tony Macalpine, his “Maximum Security” is a stunning album, and IMO his style is a little more… maybe romantic to Yngwie’s baroque? Idunno. I think his writing is excellent, and very well rounded.
Jason Becker is an unreal talent. If you ever want to have your heart broken, watch “Not Dead Yet.” Damn. “Perpetual Burn” suffers from a very “point in time” production, but holy shit is his playing unbelievable, even today.
Chris Brooks used to post around Jemsite a lot back in the day, and I got into him there. More of a fusion guy these days, but he definitely loves his Yngwie. Rusty Cooley is worth a look in the same vein - “Under the Influence” off his debut is a pretty clear nod to Yngwie, but also has just a stupifying solo break.
Other than that, Stephen Forte from Adagio might be worth a look, as well as Jeff Loomis from Nevermore (he also has a solo album out too, but Nevermore is worth checking out anyway). Loomis is pretty nuts, in fact. They’re maybe just a wee bit heavier than Yngwie, haha.
Not the most Yngwie-inspired lead break, but this solo gets a lot of love for the long arpeggio figure:
I can suggest some people that do not sound like Yngwie (Marshall stacks, single coils, etc), but they took his principles and brought them to another level.
Michael Romeo
Jeff Loomis
Stephan Forte
Alexi Laiho
All those guys play in modern metal styles with heavier riffs and productions, but the key elements of Yngwie are there.
For more hard rock stuff, please check out Rob Marcello of the Defiants. They have some pretty cheesy songs (personal opinion), but his lead playing is top top tier.
(solo on 3.28)
Hey Drew, I love Tony Mac’s work on project D.R.I.V.E.R. check it out if you haven’t heard it. lots of great songs. I saw that Jason Becker Documentary a few years back, it’s very sad. What a tragedy.
He was absolute Titan of a guitar player.
Forgot about Jeff Loomis, he’s a fantastic player.
Gus G. needs a mention here… he’s such a great player
And a compatriot of mine! He was born in the same area as my father! What a player and what a guy.
For the single coil snappy Malmsteen tone, i’d suggest Takayoshi Ohmura. Not 100% neoclassical per se, but has some songs with amazing sections.
Mentioned in another thread, but worth a re-post here: James Byrd. James is very similar to Malmsteen in both tone and style but with a heavier Uli influence and his own Neo-classical licks. Check out Son of Man, Octoglomerate or Crimes of Virtuosity are all representative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95xU04lSRS4 Solo 2:35 - 3:25 and Outro starts at 4:03
Yes, basically every artist on Shrapnel records.
I still defer to Ritchie Blackmore’s playing in the first three versions of Deep Purple. Listen to his solo in “Knocking At Your Back Door” (from Perfect Strangers 1983-84). Then, I also watch all the live stuff too (Double Concerto from 1969, then of course, 1970’s “In Rock” has some intense and very interesting dual guitar parts). His picking technique is really precise and he has the best Strat/Marshall hard rock tone ever! That said, I loved his early ES-335/Vox AC-30 tone even more.
In an interview in Guitar Player magazine in the 70’s he mentioned using strict alternating down/up picking technique and using all four fingers. He also used a classical/flamenco raking technique for wide arpeggios. Way ahead of his time!
By the way, I transcribed Michael Romeo’s Guitar Chapter (and all the solos separately) on my channel: Opus123
Luca Turili of Rhapsody (of Fire) is the big one I haven’t seen named. He’s a sweeping champ.
Syu of Galneryus
Hizaki and Teru of Versailles and Jupiter
Stephan Forte of Adagio
Criss Oliva of Savatage (He’s more of the Randy Rhoads or Michael Schenker school of neoclassical)
Hi. If you wish go to this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlMROu-A0VY and see the Greek God …Panos Antonio Avonitus…I found. I have found him a lot more interesting than Yngwie… and damn can he rippp
The scope has kinda gone wider but it’s all good; was surprised and awed by some of the posts! Some I’ve heard before but it’s all incredible really.
Great player, I heard him a while back, initially, I thought him and Cesario were the same dude This track you posted @rossgun is basically Pachelbel’s cannon on steroids I think, I like it a lot!
Luca is amazing! That first track was very cool! Thanks
Thanks brother, I’ll be visiting your transcription, I need a new project.
Exactly the kind of thing I was looking for on this thread, Byrd is very close to the Malmsteen sound! Thanks
Bill I just discovered Rough Cutt! Had no idea they existed; some great solos on there reminds me a lot of the better songwriter rock bands from the 80s.
Thanks Drew, listening to it now.
Rhapsody’s first six albums are incredibly solid. Big fan of From Chaos to Eternity as well as Luca’s solo projects and the newer Luca led Rhapsody projects especially the reunion with Fabio Lione last year.
Wanna point out, he’s actually from Argentina. Walter Giardino is the founder and leader of the Hard Rock band “Rata Blanca”, very popular in said country. I wanna recommend some songs of his: “Preludio Obsesivo”, and “La Danza del Fuego” (this last one from his solo project named “Temple”). These two are neoclassical instrumental songs, filled with great, fast playing and memorable melodies. I have a feeling you guys will like them, specially the latter.
This fellow is an absolute beast. Clearly influenced by the likes of Blackmore and Yngwie and with a lot of flair.
Even if your Spanish is rusty I’d add “Mujer amante” and “La leyenda del hada y el mago” for the listening experience.
I love the Peer Gynt. Great piece. Even outside of the Hall of the Moutnain king. I think Morning Mood is in that one too. But less used in neo classical. Haha.
There was a band in the 80s called Helstar that had a few albums. One of them was called Nosferatu. It’s the only one I ever bought. I think the first half was about Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Pretty terrible singing but it’s right up the Yngwie alley as far GuitarTuna playing goes.
Are you from Greece?