5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This animal rocks!, October 20, 1999
By A Customer
Yngwie said about Mats Leven-the Swedish vocalist on this album-that he can sing anything,from ballads('Like An Angel'-great track!)to Brian Johnson.But what is really notable about this record,besides Malmsteen's exceptional playing,is the amazing drumming of the late Cozy Powell whom Yngwie called'my mentor':there are lessons in drumming here,while Malmsteen's previous albums suffered somewhat from a lack of good drummers(I have in mind 1988's'Odyssey'where the great songs lose due to bad drumming).Here Malmsteen's fiery playing is tempered by overall melody and song structure,creating a very satisfactory and long overdue(in his case)balance.A great album,highly recommended!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
YAYA ..., February 15, 2003
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.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Facing The Animal - One of Yngwie's Best, June 12, 1998
By A Customer
Facing The Animal is arguably Yngwie's best album since Rising Force. The vast majority of the songs are very good. FTA clearly has the best songwriting since Eclipse, and more good songs than Eclipse. Mats Leven is also the best singer Yngwie has had since Goran Edman.
The best songs on the CD are Another Time, Only The Strong, and Enemy. What is great about this music is that Yngwie is being true to his core musical values while providing songs that just about anyone can appreciate.
Don't hesitate, buy Facing The Animal now!!!
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