Even now, as he reaches his eighth decade, with a lifetime of accolades and a seminal body of music behind him, Robin Trower is still chasing the biggest high he knows. It always starts the same way, with a road-scuffed Fender Stratocaster and a revved-up Marshall amplifier, those skilful fingers exploring the fretboard until a riff sticks and a new song ignites. And from the cultural flashpoint of Sixties London with Procol Harum, through 1974’s stadium-filling Bridge Of Sighs, right up to this year’s acclaimed Come And Find Me, it’s these addictive moments of creation that have kept the guitarist vital, relevant and contemporary while his peers trade on past glories.

“Some people say I’m driven, but I think it’s just the love of doing it,” reflects Trower of a multi-million-selling solo catalogue fast approaching thirty releases (and that’s before you compute his collaborations with everyone from Jack Bruce to Bryan Ferry). “I play guitar every day and just through messing around, ideas happen. I can never feel the songs coming. But all of a sudden, you get a sliver of an idea and you think, ‘Oh, what’s this…?’”

“Top Down, Foot Down” is taken from the 2016 album, ‘World on Fire’ and showcases the wide range and dynamic flavour which demonstrates Malmsteen’s fury and elegance, all encapsulated in a just under two minute version of the song. “Top Down, Foot Down” is one of my favorite live numbers, C#m arpeggios into E arpeggios and a fluid C#m melody with flat 5th diminished and suspended resolution. The title also depicts my love of convertible cruising,” he explains.

The concert was recorded at the Zepp DiverCity, Tokyo on May 11th 2024 as part of his 40th Anniversary World Tour. Calling upon an enormous catalogue of material, Malmsteen shredded his way through a furious set, backed by a mountainous Marshall stack wall. Talking about the live experience, Malmsteen adds, “Playing live in front of people is really what it’s all about. It’s exciting and dangerous because you have to take risks and there’s no fixing afterwards.”

Malmsteen’s breathtaking technique takes centre stage of the 100 minute concertwhilst being cocooned by exquisite musicianship throughout. The setlist tracks Malmsteen’s illustrious career, from his time in Alcatrazz with “Hiroshima Mon Amour” and “Evil Eye” and through his remarkable solo career with “Rising Force,” “Far Beyond The Sun,” “Arpeggios from Hell” and “Seventh Sign” all the way up to his most recent material taken from 2021’s ‘Parabellum,’ with “Wolves At The Door,” “Relentless Fury”, (Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum,” and not to mention rousing renditions of “Paganini's 4th” and “Smoke on the Water.”

The name of Yngwie Malmsteen has always stood for uncompromising excellence. In a career that now spans more than 40 years he has proven himself to be a unique artist. You can try to categorise him in any way you wish. But the manner in which this supreme Swedish craftsman has continually developed his music makes Malmsteen sublimely transcend any definition you attempt to impose.


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Article ID: 6F6770Major: BertusEAN: 8712725749622Label: ProvoguePrefix: PRDOrigin: HollandSuffix: 77432Release: Apr 25, 2025