...so... WHO'S A BETTER METAL GUITARIST THAN YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN ???

...hmmm.... lemmie think... ummmmm...

NOBODY!!! THAT'S WHO!!!

Not so reluctantly, I've had to re-think my position about PAUL GILBERT being the best guitarist on the planet after seeing YNGWIE F'N MALMSTEEN shred the living daylights out of his guitars last night at Jannus Landing in St. Pete. In a heavy debate with fellow guitar-nerds an unexpected moment of clarity came from a buddy of mine (Mike - guitarist for Burning Inside, Acheron) who pointed out that if it were not for YNGWIE almost single-handedly making SHRAPNEL RECORDS the success it became, there would be NO PAUL GILBERT, NO JASON BECKER, and NO MARTY FRIEDMAN !?! Until that lightbulb went off, I had simply taken if for granted that the aforementioned GUITAR GODS may or may not have existed if not for YNGWIE's early releases opening doors, and paving the way for their careers to be launched.

The proof was in the pudding as this was the last night of the tour supporting YNGWIE's latest release "Perpetual Flame", the first with the mighty TIM "RIPPER" OWENS on vocals (who was simply amazing!) - so it was quite obvious from the onset that everything YNGWIE and company had to give was going to be left on the stage. From the opening song "Death Dealer" the shredding onslaught of 24 (yes, I said 24) MARSHALL TUBE HEADS pushing 18 MARSHALL CABINETS on the stage was truly awe inspiring!

The first 45 minutes or so YNGWIE strutted around the stage rarely playing any rhythm parts to his own songs, instead, opting for his patented "look-at-me moves". A typical "move" for example might be throwing his guitar 15 feet in the air, catching it, flipping the guitar upside down, quickly play a blistering lead, then somehow put his strap on fast enough to do the famous "YNGWIE KICK" while spinning his instrument over the shoulder, and around his body in a manner that would make TOM KEEFER of CINDERELLA proud in time to do the next ridiculous solo!

Scattered throughout the show were at least 5 or 6 guitar solo sections where it was simply YNGWIE on the stage SCHOOLING all the open-jawed guitar geeks in attendance that they indeed truly DO SUCK and need to go back to their momma's basements and practice practice practice for even half a chance at holding YNGWIE's flaming guitar / jock strap. The final hour of the show YNGWIE began dispensing with most of the "look-at-me moves" and kept SCHOOL OPEN until there was no doubt WHO YNGWIE F'N MALMSTEEN IS - HE IS THE MAN !!!

TRULY one of the best concerts I've ever attended, and that alone is saying something right there. I've attended THOUSANDS of concerts, and even seen YNGWIE at least 3 times prior to last night. My recommendation is to drive wherever you have to drive if YNGWIE tours again, or at least pick up the latest album and judge for yourselves who the REAL KING OF METAL is on guitar! For me, there is no doubt about it... it's YNGWIE F'N MALMSTEEN!!!

5 outta 5 skulls