Yngwie J. Malmsteen/Kanagawa,Japan 2002

Yngwie Malmsteen’s 2002 Japan tour to accompany the release of “ATTACK!!” began with a performance in Kawasaki on December 3rd, and consisted of a total of nine performances. Although the venues were mostly club-based and a little small, the schedule included not only big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, but also regional cities such as Iwate, Niigata, and Hiroshima, delighting fans all over the country. The first day of the tour, the Kawasaki performance on December 3rd, was “RISE & ATTACK” (Shades 558) using the original DAT master, allowing you to enjoy the ideal audience sound. However, this Kawasaki performance has long been known as the standard for the same-day recording, “FIRST ATTACK!!”, which was released by the Langley label at the end of 2002, just after the end of the tour. As mentioned above, “RISE & ATTACK” is a very good recording, but this “FIRST ATTACK!!” is just as great. So, this time, to commemorate the Osaka performance’s definitive edition “OSAKA 2002” and the reissue of “RISE & ATTACK”, we have decided to release a special remastered version of “FIRST ATTACK!!”! This “FIRST ATTACK!!” was a recording that was highly acclaimed by fans and specialist magazines from the beginning of its release. However, since it is an item from 10 years ago, when listened to with a modern sensibility, the mastering feels a little unsatisfying. This time, the original master was used again to soften the excessive bass. The overall sound has been adjusted to create a clearer and more refined sound. The direct feeling and wide sound image that seems to contain the power of the performance as it is are comparable to “RISE & ATTACK”. The opening “Rise Up” and “Ship Of Fools” are full of listening pleasure and will immediately draw the listener in. The well-balanced band sound even gives the impression of a line source in some scenes. Another feature of this recording is that, apart from the minimum amount of cheering, the audience’s talking and shouting are hardly noticeable. You can enjoy the quality of this recording on “Icarus Dream Suite Op.4” and “Far Beyond The Sun,” which you can listen to the band’s performance carefully, as well as the acoustic arrangement of “Dreaming.” Yngwie, Dougie, and the other members were full of energy, just like the first day. Yngwie’s playing was a succession of highlights, from the new song “Razor Eater” and the guitar in the standard “Trilogy Suite Op.5,” to the vocals in “Red House”! The climax of the live performance, “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget,” and the encore songs “Black Star” and “Rising Force” are just like Yngwie! You can enjoy the musical sounds and playing. At this Kawasaki performance (perhaps because it was a wait-and-see first day of the tour), there were no DEEP PURPLE numbers like those heard on other days. However, the set list focuses on old and new Yngwie numbers. The seven songs selected from “ATTACK!!” will captivate the listener with the same presence and play as Yngwie’s standard songs. This work will let you listen carefully to Yngwie’s 2002 Kawasaki performance. Fans, please enjoy the first day of the special tour to your heart’s content with this excellent audience source! Live at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan 3rd December 2002 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(50:53) 1. Intro. 2. Rise Up 3. Ship Of Fools 4. Stronghold 5. Icarus Dream Suite Op.4 6. Far Beyond The Sun 7. Dreaming(Acoustic) 8. Razor Eater 9. Attack!! 10. Trilogy Suite Op.5 11. Red House Disc 2(47:10) 1. Fugue/Guitar Solo 2. Keyboards Solo 3. Bass Solo 4. Drums Solo 5. You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget 6. Valhalla 7. In The Name Of God 8. Guitar Solo 9. Black Star 10. Rising Force Yngwie Malmsteen – Guitar Doogie White – Vocal Mick Cervino – Bass Patrik Johan sson – Drums Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards