YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Inducted Into SWEDISH MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen has been inducted into the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame.

For an artist to be elected to the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame, 20 years must have passed since their debut album in order to "guarantee an enduring historical value."

The Swedish Music Hall Of Fame is situated on Djurgården in Stockholm by the ABBA museum.

From the Hall Of Fame jury: "The boy who would become known as Yngwie Malmsteen used to lock himself in his early-'70s bedroom in Hässelby with his electric guitar. His mother passed in trays of food now and again. The boy’s plan was not to come out again until he had mastered his instrument as well as Paganini, the Italian violin virtuoso who played so well it was rumoured that he had sold his soul to the devil. When Yngwie eventually emerged from his room, he brought with him albums such as 'Rising Force', which were to take the world by storm. Yngwie Malmsteen, with his dazzling technique and neo-classical metal style, has influenced electric guitarists on seven continents. Like a Paganini with smoke bombs and long hair, he has — in his own words — 'unleashed the fucking fury' and redefined Swedish music."

The Swedish Music Hall of Fame is part of an active and dynamic cultural life, allowing both the Swedish population and international visitors to share the constantly evolving cultural heritage that our musical tradition provides.

Funding for the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame is provided by the nonprofit fundraising foundation Svenska Musikskattens Hus. Operations are funded primarily from entry fees, donations and sponsorships. Other sources of income include conferences, courses and retail. Any surplus goes in its entirety to the educational operations and scholarships that promote an active and dynamic cultural life through music.

ENTOMBED was among twelve artists who were selected as the inaugural inductees in the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame in February 2014.