Music from the 80s, loved by some and hated by others, ultimately depends on personal taste. Many incredible guitarists achieved fame back then, and opinions on their talent vary. Two notable examples are the Guns N’ Roses member Slash and former Alcatrazz guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. They were both born in Europe in the 60s and ended up becoming part of respected American bands.
Although they are quite different in terms of technique and style, Slash talked about Malmsteen a few times and gave his opinion on him.
What Slash said about Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie Malmsteen’s style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Slash really likes him. In an interview with Guitar World in 2024, the British musician said that he is always attracted by players who have their own unique personality, something that Malmsteen has when performing.
“No matter what type of playing it is, the really good ones that stand out are the ones that have their own unique personality. That’s what I’ve always been attracted to. It doesn’t matter whatever technique it is that they’re using, as long as it’s theirs. I mean, Yngwie? Yngwie means it. He fucking owns that shit, whether you like it or not,” Slash said.
The Guns N’ Roses guitarist was also featured in Malmsteen’s 2013 memoir, “Relentless“. He praised Malmsteen similarly, highlighting the characteristics that make the Swedish guitarist so remarkable.
“Yngwie literally blew my mind when he came on the LA music scene in the early 80’s. the fastest & most articulate, fluid, melodic, classical based rock guitarist I’d ever heard. Still the best at what he does all these years later,” Slash said.
The guitarist even shared recently on his Instagram a video of Malmsteen performing “Far Beyond the Sun” live in Leningrad back in 1989.
Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie Malmsteen was born in Hässelby-Vällingby, Sweden back in 1963 and he is two years older than Slash. The musician started his musical career in 1978 but his first studio record would be released only in 1983 with the short-lived band Steeler. The band broke-up during that same year and he joined Alcatrazz being part of their praised album “No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll” also in 1983. But Malmsteen’s temper only allowed him to be in the band for one year, leaving in 1984 and starting his solo career, mainly playing instrumental songs.
In 1984 he released “Rising Force”, which is still considered a landmark for “neoclassical metal” music and shredding technique. The record won the Guitar Player’s award for Best Rock Album. Also was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Rock Instrumental”, reaching no. 60 on the Billboard album chart. Since then he has released 22 studio albums, the most recent one being “Parabellum” (2021).
Why Malmsteen prefers to be a solo artist
In an interview with Eddie Trunk in 2022, Malmsteen explained why he wouldn’t like to join a band these days. “Well, I’m not saying never for anything, but most likely not. Because I’m in a rock and roll setting like everybody knows. It’s a rock and roll band, basically, on stage. But the way I create is very much like a painter or writer where. I don’t paint half a painting and call my friend up and [say], ‘Hey, can you come finish half the painting for me?’”
“That’s the only thing. It’s not because I’m egotistical; it’s just an artistic expression thing. Going out with ‘Generation Axe’ is more than enough to be a band than anything,” Yngwie Malmsteen said.