Trilogy

Trilogy’s astonishing cover painting poses a lot of questions vis-à-vis the anatomy of the flying hydra and whether said dragon is spitting flames or if the fire comes from Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s guitar. The music inside answers the latter question, at least: the Swedish virtuoso’s flying fingers unleash some truly scorching licks. This risen force’s third solo album not only acts as a showcase for his prodigious fretwork, it also contains the closest he’s ever gotten to songs. “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget,” “Liar,” and “Queen in Love” use his neoclassical compositions to great emotional effect. If you’re looking for pure prowess, however, he has you covered: “Trilogy Suite Op: 5” still drops jaws.