Dan's Metal Memory of the Month: 2/07

I hate to pile one metal entry on top of another, but it is that time of the month again. Looking back through my catalog of embarrassing hair bands, I found one of my old favorites from 1986, "Trilogy" by Yngwie Malmsteen. This music video ballad is yet another example of heavy metal musician turned fine actor. Born born Lars Johann Yngve (pronounced "ing-vay") Lannerbäck, this Swedish "shred" guitarist/composer was part of the so-called "Neo-Classical" metal genre. That is, those guys who excelled in classical music in high school but couldn't bare the thought of spending life in the orchestra pit. (Also, his middle name is Johann and his son's name is Antonio Vivaldi... get it yet?) The boy just fell in love with the hard stuff. To quote his website, "The day Jimi Hendrix died, the guitar-playing Yngwie was born". Although he's had guest vocalists on board, he's maintained the star spot in his band since its inception. While he's been nominated for a Grammy, Yngwie has always proven to be just another good 'ol drugged-up headbanger throw-back from the '80s... On tour with his 2005 release "Unleash the Fury," the young Viking chief - that's what 'Yngwie' means, apparently - passed out drunk in an airport and was roused by a woman pouring a jug of ice water on him. Enraged, he jumped up and shouted, "You've unleashed the fucking fury!" You still got it, Yngwie.