YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS: New Video Message Available

A short video message from legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and his new singer, Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) can be found on Malmsteen's newly relaunched web site.

According to CDJapan.co.jp, Yngwie Malmsteen will release his new studio album in Japan on July 9. The LP's limited edition will feature the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD players) plus a bonus DVD containing interviews with Yngwie Malmsteen discussing the songs on the album and more.

Yngwie Malmsteen recently told Guitar World magazine that his forthcoming solo album will feature his strongest lineup ever: Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) on vocals, Bjorn Englen on bass, Michael Troy on keyboards, and Patrik Johansson on drums. "It's going to come down like a fucking atom bomb!" Malmsteen said. "We've already recorded 39 songs. I went full out. I've got strings from Istanbul, and the drums are the heaviest I've fucking heard. Ripper conveys the lyrics I write like no one else. I'll write something like 'divide and conquer' and when Ripper sings it, it really comes out that way. It's like Sparta!"

Malmsteen also told Guitar World that he recently gained the rights to all of his back catalog with the exception of the first five studio albums he recorded for PolyGram. Remastered CDs from his back catalog will now be available from Rising Force Records as well as online.

When asked how he feels about the changes in the music industry and even guitar playing over the past 25 years, Malmsteen replied, "The business has changed dramatically from what it was even just a few years ago. Music isn't even distributed the same way anymore. Even CDs are becoming a thing of the past. The Internet has made it easier to get my music out to anyon who wants it, but at the same time I feel like we're losing the mystique. When I was a kid, all I ever knew about Ritchie Blackmore [DEEP PURPLE] was what I saw on a few small album cover photos. Now you can find out anything about an artist that you want to know, whether it's his shoe size or what he had for dinner last night. I learned a lot from other people and was inspired by what they did, but I didn't copy anyone. I put many different blocks together to become what I am. I don't know if that would have happened if everything was handed to me on a plate."

Malmsteen took part in a clinic and autograph session for Fender at the Dallas International Guitar Show on April 19, 2008. Fan-filmed video footage can be viewed below.