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Becker could have been a great talent, but he didn't have the time to express it, and what he left obviously presents, alongside excellent ideas, also a series of very cumbersome and repetitive aspects. Malmsteen composed Rising Force at 21, which, 23 years later, is still a classic in the genre; he changed the way of playing and understanding the electric guitar, bringing classical music into a modern and personal light. He certainly drew from Bach, Vivaldi, and Paganini, but he didn't simply copy them; this is the usual old criticism that those who lack arguments tend to use. However, if it is said that after various Rising Force and Trilogy, he did not know how to renew himself and repeated the same things to exhaustion, often with less inspiration, then I agree.

Very difficult album to categorize, for me it's worth 3 stars, too sweet, often almost glam. However, some songs are undoubtedly beautiful and so are some solos, definitely better than the following Fire and Ice.

The review is undoubtedly beautiful and well-crafted. I agree that Odissey is a great album and also the one that brought Malmsteen to success, but in my opinion, it is not his compositional peak. I believe Rising Force or Trilogy are definitely superior from a compositional standpoint. Odissey is his pinnacle as a group effort, but the credit should be shared with a singer who was in fact as much a leader as the Swedish musician, which is why he has never quite warmed up to him! Anyway, congratulations on the dissemination work, truly deserving of praise.

What a discussion I missed! Here's how I see it: Malmsteen, at the beginning of his career, brushed the genius level, an unreachable talent not just technically but also compositionally. Then a series of events (money, success, excesses, a serious accident, etc.) led him off track. However, he certainly paved a way in electric guitar, leaving a mark; just think of Rising Force to make everyone who tried to emulate him (and I emphasize AFTER him) hang up their guitar. As for Becker, I don't think we can judge him from a 16-year-old video; that would be unfair. But I also think he didn't have the opportunity and the time to express himself. This album is often monotonous from many points of view, but it certainly brings forth some remarkable qualities, which, however, will remain unrealized. Please, let's leave Beethoven and such absurd comparisons aside.

The review is well written, but I completely disagree with it; I absolutely do not see any continuity with Trilogy in this album. The qualitative and inspirational difference between the two works is massive. I'm sorry to say it because I’m also a great fan of the Swede, but the albums he has been producing for many years now are entirely useless. Out of 15-18 tracks per CD, there may be one or two at most that evoke hints of the great Malmsteen; the rest is poorly executed, exaggerated, metallic repetition of what he grandly accomplished in the 80s.

great Steve, great live, I haven't had the chance to listen to it in full, but the level is really high. Personally, I'm even more attached to Alive in a ultra...but it's a matter of nuances. Well done Matt for the review.

I've listened to Badlands many times, but as for blues (at least as I understand it), I haven't heard much of it; if anything, it's solid hard rock well played, I won't deny that. Zakk certainly has more blues roots, even if he often draws from other genres. I only really like Bark at the Moon by Lee, an album that, paradoxically, many don't like at all; however, I'm still planning to give this latter one a listen. My preference for Rhoads is obviously rooted in his classical influences, which in many aspects preceded Malmsteen.

Well, already the fact of putting them on the same level seems absurd to me; Jake and Lee is a good guitarist, but nothing more. He hasn't done anything surprising, nor has he left behind great pieces; he’s neither underrated nor overrated, simply nothing less and nothing more than a good guitarist. However, when it comes to personality and talent, frankly, the difference with Rhoads is abyssal. Just listen to Diary of a Madman to understand that Randy is on another planet. Zakk Wilde, on the other hand, has managed to give a very personal touch to his pieces. I don't adore him madly (because I'm more inclined towards the classic influences of RR), but I admire him for his strong personality and originality that make him unique. Lee, in this regard, is quite anonymous, and that’s probably why he is fairly underrated.

Jake and Lee are good guitarists, but not genius. Randy Rhoads was a genius for obvious reasons, simply because he gave the madman the greatest guitar and music pieces ever written. Frankly, I find The Ultimate Sin quite modest, not only in terms of the songs but also regarding the lead guitar work.

hehe, it's one of my favorite pastimes to propose reviews of albums that have meant so much to me and see if anyone seizes the opportunity!! I'm glad you did, especially because we have practically identical musical tastes, and I must say I couldn't have done a better job, considering I got Vinsex to write the review of Zakk Wylde's Book of Shadows!!! Great educational work for a cult album in the genre.