Our Turkish Team Member Ayhan witnessed, as the latest -and probably the most controversial - tour of the guitar hero of all guitar heroes, Yngwie Malmsteen, reached Istanbul, Turkey.

Yngwie Malmsteen is arguably the most technically accomplished hard rock guitarist to emerge during the '80s. Combining a dazzling technique honed over years of obsessive practice with a love for such classical composers as Bach, Beethoven, and Paganini, Malmsteen's distinctively baroque, gothic compositional style and lightning-fast arpeggiated solos rewrote the book on heavy metal guitar.

Year 1998 should be happiest and tiring year of Yngwie Malmsteen. He had released a well produced 'Facing The Animal' album and his first Concerto album 'Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor Op. 1'. 1998 was never that short, he also released a live album and video called 'Live In Brazil 1998'. That year, Malmsteen had the happiest moments in his life, he had his first baby 'Antonio Yngwie Johann Malmsteen'.
But what's the importance of year 1998 to his Turkish fans? This question could be easily answered 'cause he did an amazing live show in Turkey. After waiting 3 years, he is finally back in Turkey but this time for 2 shows...

I was there on his first live show in Turkey so I didn't want to miss him this time. When I arrived at 6 p.m. a few fans already gathered in front of the venue, but no one seemed to know who would handle the vocals... Okay, let's wait and see.

Show time was scheduled for 9 p.m. and at that time the venue was really crowded with fans from all over the country. Me and my friends were standing in front of the stage waiting for the maestro. When Malmsteen entered the stage, it just took seconds to conquer the audience. The band and the fans rocked from the first tune! I was really amazed to see him playing the solo part of 'Rising Force'. I was expecting Jeff Scott Soto as a suprise to Turkish fans but what the hell!!! One of my favorite singer Mark Boals was back...

When Malmsteen started the second song 'Crucify', everyone seemed to sing the words and his band were blown away. They haven't expected something like that! 'Bedroom Eyes', 'Blackstar' and great solo performance were the exciting moments. But after these songs I could clearly see and hear that Malmsteen wasn't in the mood and he seemed to get bored playing the songs for years. He wasn't that excited as he was on his first show in Turkey. Most of the following songs were without vocals and he played nearly 5 minute solos after 2 songs.

'Masquerade' and 'Bad Reputation' were the two songs he played afterwards. I personally didn't like his last album 'War To End All Wars' but 'Bad Reputation' could be the highlight song of the album. Amazing song and amazing vocal performance of Mark Boals and I was in the mood again.

When Malmsteen started playing '7th Sign', he rocked the house! Everyone was amazed by his guitar performance on this song. Then 'Far Beyond The Sun' and 'Acoustic Solo' followed. He did some of his old tunes and the crowd started to scream and shout. 'I'll See The Light Tonight' was the last song of the show...

When the band left after 90 min. the fans still shouted for more. Everyone seemed to be excited and had real big fun but the ones that were there on Malmsteen's first show didn't show that excitement. This show offered a less energetic performance than last time.

Ayhan Gunay