World on Fire is the twentieth studio album by Swedish virtuoso guitar player Yngwie Malmsteen and the eighth under this moniker. Initially it was programmed for April 2016, but then it was released on June 1 via Rising Force Records and Nexus. It was produced by Malmsteen himself and it was the second album in which Malmsteen sang also. This album was also the only one to feature drummer Mark Ellis.
Contents
Background
Following his previous album Spellbound, Yngwie did not employ a dedicated vocalist, instead performing the lead vocals himself. Of the eleven tracks on the album, eight are instrumentals, while the remaining three ("World On Fire," "Lost In The Machine," and "Soldier") feature Yngwie on vocals. The initial Japanese pressing included a jacket sticker.
The obi strip commentary on the Japanese edition describes it as: "A solitary hero who captivates with overwhelming speed and passionate performance!! A powerful work imbued with the soul and presence of a king who continues to reign at the top!! After roughly four years, Yngwie Malmsteen, one of the premier guitar heroes of the metal scene, returns with a new album!! Featuring a world of long-established neoclassical aesthetics and aggressively virtuosic guitar playing, this release fully embraces the 'Yngwie World,' leaving no room for compromise and overflowing with the power of the master."
Track listing
All tracks are written by Yngwie Malmsteen.
Personnel
Yngwie Malmsteen - guitars, vocals, bass guitars, keyboards, cello, sitar, producing, arrangement, orchestration
Mark Ellis - drums
Additional personnel
Nick Marinovich - additional keyboards
The Cantorum Choral Society - additional choir
The Miami-Dade Baroque String Ensemble - additional strings
Keith Rose - mixing
Jun Kawai - liner notes
Mariko Kawahara - lyrics translations