Facing the Animal

Facing the Animal

Facing the Animal

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Domestic reissue of Malmsteen's 1998 album. 13 tracks including, 'Braveheart', 'Enemy' and 'Air On A Theme'. Standard jewel case. 2000 release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Facing the Animal,Yngwie Malmsteen,Polygram Records,Pop,Rock
Facing the Animal
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Very Underrated!
  • Another good song based effort
  • Worst album I've ever bought.
  • Yngwie YAWNsteen
  • YAYA ...
 Facing the Animal
Yngwie J. Malmsteen
Manufacturer: Spitfire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Magnum Opus
  2. Alchemy
  3. The Seventh Sign
  4. War to End All Wars
  5. Fire & Ice

ASIN: B000050I4E
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

  1. Braveheart
  2. Facing The Animal
  3. Enemy
  4. Sacrifice
  5. Like An Angel - For April
  6. My Resurrection
  7. Another Time
  8. Heathens From The North
  9. Alone In Paradise
  10. End Of My Rope
  11. Only The Strong
  12. Poison In Your Veins
  13. Air On A Theme

Album Description

Domestic reissue of Malmsteen's 1998 album. 13 tracks including, 'Braveheart', 'Enemy' and 'Air On A Theme'. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very Underrated!.......2007-04-18

This Album is completely underrated, it may be a little commercial but the songs are tremendous. The cd seems to have energy and passion, it even sounds angry at times. Songs like Facing the animal, Another time, and End of my rope are awsome. The only negative thing i can say is that its not holding up as well as other malmsteen releases, thats probably because ive listened to it a couple thousand times.

my ratings are,
Braveheart-7/10
Facing the animal-10/10
Enemy-8/10
Sacrifice-9/10
Like an angel-7/10
My Resurrection-10/10
Another time-10/10
Heathens from the north-7/10
Alone in paradise-6/10
End of my rope-10/10
Only the strong-8/10
Poison in your veins-6/10
Air on a theme-7/10

4 out of 5 stars Another good song based effort.......2006-08-18

Malmsteen in the 90's is a more straightforward beast in many respects and albums such as Eclipse, Seventh Sign and this album all deliver up reasonably solid slabs of hard rock songsmithery. This album - originally from 1997 - was co-produced by Chris Tsangarides and feels more sturdy possibly due to this co-production. And the band in the background is pretty handy too - Barry Dunaway (B), Mats Olausson (keys), Mats Leven (vox) and non other than Mr Cozy Powell on drums.

This album contains more of the same in most respects, some dil hard rock (Braveheart + Heathens from the North), some instrumentals (For April + Air on a Theme) and some great rockers like the title track, Enemy, My Resurrection and Another Time. And it's the rockers that make the album. Facing the Animal and Enemy are just great pull out all the stops Malmsteen attacks while My Resurrection plays around with some vocal/axe duelling and Another Time really hits a groove you could park a truck in with great vocal harmonies, groove being a little rare on Malmsteen albums normally. And as an aside, if you can get a version of this with what was originally a Japanese bonus track "Casting Pearls Before the Swine" then you'll be treating yourself to a favour to another full tilt rocker with a tremendous performance from Mats Levens' vocal chords.

Unlike a number of later Yngwie albums I can actually honestly recommend this one to any lapsed fan, you won't be disappointed by the passionate and commited hard rock assault.

1 out of 5 stars Worst album I've ever bought........2004-11-18

This album was enjoyable for about 3 listens, but it hasn't aged well at all. This is embarrassingly bad stuff. The reason I bought it in the first place was because it was heralded as a "full band effort", rather than just Yngwie shredding fast, and, well, it is that, but the songs are still cheesy, weak, and really forgettable. Also, Yngwie's guitar playing is just as boring as ever. Yeah, he can shred fast, big deal. That's about all he can do. All of his solos sound exactly the same (Yeah, let's do a sappy ballad dedicated to my wife, and then shred over it, that'll sound good!), and his rhythm playing is pretty uninsprired. Also, the singer on this album sounds like a 4th rate Dio ripoff, and Yngwie's vocals sound like Jeff Keith from Tesla with a cold. And if that's not enough, the lyrics are some of the worst I've ever heard ("I'll tear my heart out and serve it to you on a plate"...uh yeah).

I really don't recommend this at all. If you want some good band-oriented shred-type metal, get some Dream Theater or Symphony X. If you want some full-on guitar-oriented stuff, get some Vai or Satriani. This doesn't have you covered either way. The only really good thing about this album is Mats Olausson's keyboard outro in "Braveheart". But that's not really enough to listen to this. Also, Cozy Powell plays drums on it, but it's not his best work by any means (get a Rainbow album instead).

But hey, if you really want this, you're more than welcome to my copy. You can save it from a horrible fate of being burned, smashed, or hurled like a frisbee into a field.

1 out of 5 stars Yngwie YAWNsteen.......2003-10-07

After listening to this Yngwie's latest "opus", I only have two things to say. First, while the man is a great guitarist, he can't write a song to save his life. Second, this is the reason why I'm so glad the 80's are over. This album is all style and no substance. Time for Yngwie to quit making records, and join the rest of us in the new century.

3 out of 5 stars YAYA ..........2003-02-15

Yet another Yngwie album ... I cannot say anything bad about it, but I don't like it either.

Some 12 years ago, Yngwie was my entrance to the neoclassical metal universe. But as much as I loved (and still apprecciate) his amazing and unique guitar playing style, I missed innovative song writing (which I hoped would emerge as it does with many exceptional artists as they grow older and more experienced).

Many reviewers claim that there are few other artists like Yngwie. To those I would like to recommend Tony MacAlpine, Rhapsody, Royal Hunt, Symphony X, Dream Theater (Inner Turbulence Disc 2 and Scenes From A Memory), to name but a few. Each of these artists uses neoclassical elements in a different way. But they all - instead of Yngwie - try to make it sound unique, whereas Yngwie seems to try to create 100% classical songs (or also folklore in case of acoustic guitar parts).

Another point is the poor production quality of most Yngwie albums. I mean, I'm sure he could do better if he wanted to. But we all know that he is very convinced of himself and only does what he thinks is best.

The conclusion: Real Yngwie fans will love this album, because it's what they can expect. Other metal fans that want to get a first impression of neoclassical metal should try the various other artists I mentioned as well as the legendary Yngwie albums like "Rising Force". Although it is rare, I also recommend "Trial by Fire", an early live recording from Leningrad.
Facing the Animal
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not Neoclasical Album
  • YNGWIES HEAVIEST
  • Somebody find this guy a new idea!
  • Somebody find this guy a new idea!
  • Yngwie for the Masses
 Facing the Animal
Yngwie Malmsteen
Manufacturer: Pony Canyon Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006ZXX
Release Date: 1997-09-10

Tracks:

  1. Braveheart
  2. Facing the Animal
  3. Enemy
  4. Sacrifice
  5. Like an Angel - For April
  6. My Resurrection
  7. Another Time
  8. Heathens from the North
  9. Alone in Paradise
  10. End of My Rope
  11. Only the Strong
  12. Poison In Your Veins
  13. Air On A Theme
  14. Casting Pearls Before the Swine [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of his 1997 album with 'Casting Pearls Before The Swine' added as a bonus track. 14 tracks total. 1997 Pony Canyon release.

Album Details

Japanese Release Containing an Exclusive Bonus Track: 'Casting Pearls Before the Swine'.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Not Neoclasical Album.......2003-03-08

This is the most rare Yngwie's Album, it isn't Neoclasical but with Cozy Powell in Drums is a JEWEL, I mean, this version is more expensive, but it is a beauty heritage from Hard Rock. When you hear MY RESURECTION you could think: THIS IS MOST EXPLOSIVE SONG, you've got to hear CASTING PEARLS BEFORE THE SWINE! In my opinion this version deserves the price. At the end of the track 14 you'll be satisfied.

5 out of 5 stars YNGWIES HEAVIEST.......2000-12-07

Yngwie Malmsteen is by far my favorite guitarist since he was with Steeler and I must say that this is my favorite. He spends a lot less time showing how good he can play and lets the whole band shine just as much as he does, making the songs more memorable. The choruses are very catchy and the guitar sound is DEFINITELY his best to date. The vocals are also less operatic and more of a mainstream rock sound. This album is in my top ten of all time.

2 out of 5 stars Somebody find this guy a new idea!.......2000-08-27

To make a short story long, I've been a big Yngwie Malmsteen fan since his first album, and I was really impressed with the speed of his guitarwork, and the always killer singers he'd use on his albums like Jeff Scott Soto, Joe Lynn Turner, and Goran Edman. However, even though he has stuck to his style of speedy guitar licks, and killer songs, there is one fatal flaw in all his newer CDs: Anyone with a keen ear would notice that his guitar solos sound almost exactly the same...just with a few variations...HE'S REPETITIOUS! But it's not just his guitar solos, now; some of his songs on this 'Facing the Animal' CD sound like variations of songs he's already made! It's no wonder why all his 90's releases are now out-of-print in the US. If Yngwie were to release another CD in the states, he should first listen to all the bands that have been influenced by him over the years...he'd learn that even Yngwie-influenced bands aren't as repetitious with their guitar solos, while still maintaining a decent Yngwie-esk speedy solo. Now to make this long story short, this CD is fine to start off a new Yngwie fan, but you'll never appreciate this guy's work unless you stick to his 80s material, like I did. May I suggest 'Trilogy' as your starter's album?

2 out of 5 stars Somebody find this guy a new idea!.......2000-08-27

To make a short story long, I've been a big Yngwie Malmsteen fan since his first album, and I was really impressed with the speed of his guitarwork, and the always killer singers he'd use on his albums like Jeff Scott Soto, Joe Lynn Turner, and Goran Edman. However, even though he has stuck to his style of speedy guitar licks, and killer songs, there is one fatal flaw in all his newer CDs: Anyone with a keen ear would notice that his guitar solos sound almost exactly the same...just with a few variations...HE'S REPETITIOUS! But it's not just his guitar solos, now; some of his songs on this 'Facing the Animal' CD sound like variations of songs he's already made! It's no wonder why all his 90's releases are now out-of-print in the US. If Yngwie were to release another CD in the states, he should first listen to all the bands that have been influenced by him over the years...he'd learn that even Yngwie-influenced bands aren't as repetitious with their guitar solos, while still maintaining a decent Yngwie-esk speedy solo. Now to make this long story short, this CD is fine to start off a new Yngwie fan, but you'll never appreciate this guy's work unless you stick to his 80s material, like I did. May I suggest 'Trilogy' as your starter's album?

5 out of 5 stars Yngwie for the Masses.......2000-08-20

This album is the one to play your friends so they don't look at you funny when you say the word "Yngwie." It's done in a very tastefull neo-classical metal/80's hair band type rock style. Great well balanced tempos and structures. Defenitly a change for Malmsteen, and I personally like the direction he is heading in.
Facing the Animal
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Facing the Animal
    Yngwie Malmsteen
    Manufacturer: Pony Canyon [Japan]
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B00006JNCU
    Release Date: 2003-04-22

    Tracks:

    1. Braveheart
    2. Facing the Animal
    3. Enemy
    4. Sacrifice
    5. Like an Angel
    6. My Resurrection
    7. Another Time
    8. Heathens from the North
    9. Alone in Paradise
    10. End of My Rope
    11. Only the Strong
    12. Poison in Your Veins
    13. Air on a Theme
    14. Casting Pearls Before the Swine [*]

    Album Description

    Asian edition of his 1997 album with 'Casting Pearls Before The Swine' added as a bonus track. 14 tracks total.
    Facing the Animal
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Facing the Animal
      Yngwie J. Malmsteen
      Manufacturer: Dream Catcher UK
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
      ShredShred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
      Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
      Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B0009N5S2S
      Release Date: 2006-01-30

      Tracks:

      1. Braveheart
      2. Facing the Animal
      3. Enemy
      4. Sacrifice
      5. Like an Angel - For April
      6. My Resurrection
      7. Another Time
      8. Heathens from the North
      9. Alone in Paradise
      10. End of My Rope
      11. Only the Strong
      12. Poison in Your Veins
      13. Air On A Theme

      Album Details

      Digitally Remastered Edition in Digipak Packaging, Re-released to Coincide with the Former Alcatrazz Axe Man's 2005 "Unleash the Fury" Tour. Originally Released in 1997. Includes Uber Drummer Cozy Powell on the Skins for this Outing.
      Facing the Animal
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Facing the Animal
        Yngwie Malmsteen
        Manufacturer: Pony Canyon
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        ShredShred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
        RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00006IT3Z
        Release Date: 2002-09-02

        Tracks:

        1. Braveheart
        2. Facing the Animal
        3. Enemy
        4. Sacrifice
        5. Like an Angel
        6. My Resurrection
        7. Another Time
        8. Heathens from the North
        9. Alone in Paradise
        10. End of My Rope
        11. Only the Strong
        12. Poison in Your Veins
        13. Air on a Theme
        14. Casting Pearls Before the Swine [*]

        Album Description

        Asian edition of his 1997 album with 'Casting Pearls Before The Swine' added as a bonus track. 14 tracks total.

        Album Details

        Asian Version featuring a Bonus Track: "Casting Pearls Before the Swine".
        Facing the Animal
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • Very Underrated!
        • Another good song based effort
        • Worst album I've ever bought.
        • Yngwie YAWNsteen
        • YAYA ...
        		 Facing the Animal
        Yngwie J. Malmsteen
        Manufacturer: Dream Catcher
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        ShredShred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Magnum Opus
        2. Alchemy
        3. The Seventh Sign
        4. War to End All Wars
        5. Fire & Ice

        ASIN: B000024ZIZ
        Release Date: 2006-03-23

        Tracks:

        1. Braveheart
        2. Facing the Animal
        3. Enemy
        4. Sacrifice
        5. Like an Angel - For April
        6. My Resurrection
        7. Another Time
        8. Heathens from the North
        9. Alone in Paradise
        10. End of My Rope
        11. Only the Strong
        12. Poison in Your Veins
        13. Air On A Theme

        Album Description

        Domestic reissue of Malmsteen's 1998 album. 13 tracks including, 'Braveheart', 'Enemy' and 'Air On A Theme'. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Very Underrated!.......2007-04-18

        This Album is completely underrated, it may be a little commercial but the songs are tremendous. The cd seems to have energy and passion, it even sounds angry at times. Songs like Facing the animal, Another time, and End of my rope are awsome. The only negative thing i can say is that its not holding up as well as other malmsteen releases, thats probably because ive listened to it a couple thousand times.

        my ratings are,
        Braveheart-7/10
        Facing the animal-10/10
        Enemy-8/10
        Sacrifice-9/10
        Like an angel-7/10
        My Resurrection-10/10
        Another time-10/10
        Heathens from the north-7/10
        Alone in paradise-6/10
        End of my rope-10/10
        Only the strong-8/10
        Poison in your veins-6/10
        Air on a theme-7/10

        4 out of 5 stars Another good song based effort.......2006-08-18

        Malmsteen in the 90's is a more straightforward beast in many respects and albums such as Eclipse, Seventh Sign and this album all deliver up reasonably solid slabs of hard rock songsmithery. This album - originally from 1997 - was co-produced by Chris Tsangarides and feels more sturdy possibly due to this co-production. And the band in the background is pretty handy too - Barry Dunaway (B), Mats Olausson (keys), Mats Leven (vox) and non other than Mr Cozy Powell on drums.

        This album contains more of the same in most respects, some dil hard rock (Braveheart + Heathens from the North), some instrumentals (For April + Air on a Theme) and some great rockers like the title track, Enemy, My Resurrection and Another Time. And it's the rockers that make the album. Facing the Animal and Enemy are just great pull out all the stops Malmsteen attacks while My Resurrection plays around with some vocal/axe duelling and Another Time really hits a groove you could park a truck in with great vocal harmonies, groove being a little rare on Malmsteen albums normally. And as an aside, if you can get a version of this with what was originally a Japanese bonus track "Casting Pearls Before the Swine" then you'll be treating yourself to a favour to another full tilt rocker with a tremendous performance from Mats Levens' vocal chords.

        Unlike a number of later Yngwie albums I can actually honestly recommend this one to any lapsed fan, you won't be disappointed by the passionate and commited hard rock assault.

        1 out of 5 stars Worst album I've ever bought........2004-11-18

        This album was enjoyable for about 3 listens, but it hasn't aged well at all. This is embarrassingly bad stuff. The reason I bought it in the first place was because it was heralded as a "full band effort", rather than just Yngwie shredding fast, and, well, it is that, but the songs are still cheesy, weak, and really forgettable. Also, Yngwie's guitar playing is just as boring as ever. Yeah, he can shred fast, big deal. That's about all he can do. All of his solos sound exactly the same (Yeah, let's do a sappy ballad dedicated to my wife, and then shred over it, that'll sound good!), and his rhythm playing is pretty uninsprired. Also, the singer on this album sounds like a 4th rate Dio ripoff, and Yngwie's vocals sound like Jeff Keith from Tesla with a cold. And if that's not enough, the lyrics are some of the worst I've ever heard ("I'll tear my heart out and serve it to you on a plate"...uh yeah).

        I really don't recommend this at all. If you want some good band-oriented shred-type metal, get some Dream Theater or Symphony X. If you want some full-on guitar-oriented stuff, get some Vai or Satriani. This doesn't have you covered either way. The only really good thing about this album is Mats Olausson's keyboard outro in "Braveheart". But that's not really enough to listen to this. Also, Cozy Powell plays drums on it, but it's not his best work by any means (get a Rainbow album instead).

        But hey, if you really want this, you're more than welcome to my copy. You can save it from a horrible fate of being burned, smashed, or hurled like a frisbee into a field.

        1 out of 5 stars Yngwie YAWNsteen.......2003-10-07

        After listening to this Yngwie's latest "opus", I only have two things to say. First, while the man is a great guitarist, he can't write a song to save his life. Second, this is the reason why I'm so glad the 80's are over. This album is all style and no substance. Time for Yngwie to quit making records, and join the rest of us in the new century.

        3 out of 5 stars YAYA ..........2003-02-15

        Yet another Yngwie album ... I cannot say anything bad about it, but I don't like it either.

        Some 12 years ago, Yngwie was my entrance to the neoclassical metal universe. But as much as I loved (and still apprecciate) his amazing and unique guitar playing style, I missed innovative song writing (which I hoped would emerge as it does with many exceptional artists as they grow older and more experienced).

        Many reviewers claim that there are few other artists like Yngwie. To those I would like to recommend Tony MacAlpine, Rhapsody, Royal Hunt, Symphony X, Dream Theater (Inner Turbulence Disc 2 and Scenes From A Memory), to name but a few. Each of these artists uses neoclassical elements in a different way. But they all - instead of Yngwie - try to make it sound unique, whereas Yngwie seems to try to create 100% classical songs (or also folklore in case of acoustic guitar parts).

        Another point is the poor production quality of most Yngwie albums. I mean, I'm sure he could do better if he wanted to. But we all know that he is very convinced of himself and only does what he thinks is best.

        The conclusion: Real Yngwie fans will love this album, because it's what they can expect. Other metal fans that want to get a first impression of neoclassical metal should try the various other artists I mentioned as well as the legendary Yngwie albums like "Rising Force". Although it is rare, I also recommend "Trial by Fire", an early live recording from Leningrad.
        Facing the Animal
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • Very Underrated!
        • Another good song based effort
        • Worst album I've ever bought.
        • Yngwie YAWNsteen
        • YAYA ...
        		 Facing the Animal
        Yngwie J. Malmsteen
        Manufacturer: Polygram Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        ShredShred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Magnum Opus
        2. Alchemy
        3. The Seventh Sign
        4. War to End All Wars
        5. Fire & Ice

        ASIN: B000001EYG
        Release Date: 1998-02-10

        Tracks:

        1. Braveheart
        2. Facing The Animal
        3. Enemy
        4. Sacrifice
        5. Like An Angel
        6. My Resurrection
        7. Another Time
        8. Heathens From The North
        9. Alone In Paradise
        10. End Of My Rope
        11. Only The Strong
        12. Poison In Your Veins
        13. Air On A Theme

        Album Description

        Domestic reissue of Malmsteen's 1998 album. 13 tracks including, 'Braveheart', 'Enemy' and 'Air On A Theme'. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Very Underrated!.......2007-04-18

        This Album is completely underrated, it may be a little commercial but the songs are tremendous. The cd seems to have energy and passion, it even sounds angry at times. Songs like Facing the animal, Another time, and End of my rope are awsome. The only negative thing i can say is that its not holding up as well as other malmsteen releases, thats probably because ive listened to it a couple thousand times.

        my ratings are,
        Braveheart-7/10
        Facing the animal-10/10
        Enemy-8/10
        Sacrifice-9/10
        Like an angel-7/10
        My Resurrection-10/10
        Another time-10/10
        Heathens from the north-7/10
        Alone in paradise-6/10
        End of my rope-10/10
        Only the strong-8/10
        Poison in your veins-6/10
        Air on a theme-7/10

        4 out of 5 stars Another good song based effort.......2006-08-18

        Malmsteen in the 90's is a more straightforward beast in many respects and albums such as Eclipse, Seventh Sign and this album all deliver up reasonably solid slabs of hard rock songsmithery. This album - originally from 1997 - was co-produced by Chris Tsangarides and feels more sturdy possibly due to this co-production. And the band in the background is pretty handy too - Barry Dunaway (B), Mats Olausson (keys), Mats Leven (vox) and non other than Mr Cozy Powell on drums.

        This album contains more of the same in most respects, some dil hard rock (Braveheart + Heathens from the North), some instrumentals (For April + Air on a Theme) and some great rockers like the title track, Enemy, My Resurrection and Another Time. And it's the rockers that make the album. Facing the Animal and Enemy are just great pull out all the stops Malmsteen attacks while My Resurrection plays around with some vocal/axe duelling and Another Time really hits a groove you could park a truck in with great vocal harmonies, groove being a little rare on Malmsteen albums normally. And as an aside, if you can get a version of this with what was originally a Japanese bonus track "Casting Pearls Before the Swine" then you'll be treating yourself to a favour to another full tilt rocker with a tremendous performance from Mats Levens' vocal chords.

        Unlike a number of later Yngwie albums I can actually honestly recommend this one to any lapsed fan, you won't be disappointed by the passionate and commited hard rock assault.

        1 out of 5 stars Worst album I've ever bought........2004-11-18

        This album was enjoyable for about 3 listens, but it hasn't aged well at all. This is embarrassingly bad stuff. The reason I bought it in the first place was because it was heralded as a "full band effort", rather than just Yngwie shredding fast, and, well, it is that, but the songs are still cheesy, weak, and really forgettable. Also, Yngwie's guitar playing is just as boring as ever. Yeah, he can shred fast, big deal. That's about all he can do. All of his solos sound exactly the same (Yeah, let's do a sappy ballad dedicated to my wife, and then shred over it, that'll sound good!), and his rhythm playing is pretty uninsprired. Also, the singer on this album sounds like a 4th rate Dio ripoff, and Yngwie's vocals sound like Jeff Keith from Tesla with a cold. And if that's not enough, the lyrics are some of the worst I've ever heard ("I'll tear my heart out and serve it to you on a plate"...uh yeah).

        I really don't recommend this at all. If you want some good band-oriented shred-type metal, get some Dream Theater or Symphony X. If you want some full-on guitar-oriented stuff, get some Vai or Satriani. This doesn't have you covered either way. The only really good thing about this album is Mats Olausson's keyboard outro in "Braveheart". But that's not really enough to listen to this. Also, Cozy Powell plays drums on it, but it's not his best work by any means (get a Rainbow album instead).

        But hey, if you really want this, you're more than welcome to my copy. You can save it from a horrible fate of being burned, smashed, or hurled like a frisbee into a field.

        1 out of 5 stars Yngwie YAWNsteen.......2003-10-07

        After listening to this Yngwie's latest "opus", I only have two things to say. First, while the man is a great guitarist, he can't write a song to save his life. Second, this is the reason why I'm so glad the 80's are over. This album is all style and no substance. Time for Yngwie to quit making records, and join the rest of us in the new century.

        3 out of 5 stars YAYA ..........2003-02-15

        Yet another Yngwie album ... I cannot say anything bad about it, but I don't like it either.

        Some 12 years ago, Yngwie was my entrance to the neoclassical metal universe. But as much as I loved (and still apprecciate) his amazing and unique guitar playing style, I missed innovative song writing (which I hoped would emerge as it does with many exceptional artists as they grow older and more experienced).

        Many reviewers claim that there are few other artists like Yngwie. To those I would like to recommend Tony MacAlpine, Rhapsody, Royal Hunt, Symphony X, Dream Theater (Inner Turbulence Disc 2 and Scenes From A Memory), to name but a few. Each of these artists uses neoclassical elements in a different way. But they all - instead of Yngwie - try to make it sound unique, whereas Yngwie seems to try to create 100% classical songs (or also folklore in case of acoustic guitar parts).

        Another point is the poor production quality of most Yngwie albums. I mean, I'm sure he could do better if he wanted to. But we all know that he is very convinced of himself and only does what he thinks is best.

        The conclusion: Real Yngwie fans will love this album, because it's what they can expect. Other metal fans that want to get a first impression of neoclassical metal should try the various other artists I mentioned as well as the legendary Yngwie albums like "Rising Force". Although it is rare, I also recommend "Trial by Fire", an early live recording from Leningrad.
        Facing the Animal
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Facing the Animal
          Yngwie J. Malmsteen
          Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
          Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000A2OZR2
          Release Date: 2001-12-06

          Tracks:

          1. Braveheart
          2. Facing the Animal
          3. Enemy
          4. Sacrifice
          5. Like an Angel - For April
          6. My Resurrection
          7. Another Time
          8. Heathens from the North
          9. Alone in Paradise
          10. End of My Rope
          11. Only the Strong
          12. Poison in Your Veins
          13. Air On A Theme

          Music Track:

          1. Far Beyond the World
          2. Frailty
          3. Friends and Relations: The Rarities
          4. Good God: French Remixes [EP] [Import]
          5. Hell on Wheels: Live
          6. Hurry Up & Wait [Extra tracks] [Import]
          7. Impact Is Imminent
          8. Killing with Style
          9. Live at the Marquee [Live]
          10. Live: Decade of Aggression

          Music Track

          music track

          Recommended Music:

          Anna Domino [Original recording remastered] [Import]

          Karl Korte--A Retrospective

          James Higdon Plays Camille Saint-Saëns

          Music: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition No1-10; Rimsky-

          Never On Sunday: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] [Enhanced] [Soundtrack]

          New Ringa Order

          Mamas & Papas - Greatest Hits [Import]

          Indie 2000

          Monsoon

          Maximum Max

          Live at the Melbourne Concert Hall [Import]

          Guera Salome

          New Funky Nation

          Romantic Piano Music / Chopin's Fantasy

          Stereo 150