Recording lineup for Yngwie's new album, ATTACK

Yngwie Malmsteen (guitars and bass, backing vocals)
Doogie White (vocals)
Derek Sherinian (keyboards)
Patrik Johansson (drums)

Anne: Would you like to tell us a little about your experience in Miami working with Yngwie on the new album?

Doogie: The call to fly to Miami came from Yngwie's management late on a Friday night. So I spent most of early Saturday morning booking an apartment and a flight. I arrived in the "Sunshine State" on the Thursday, it was hot, but raining. My apartment was two doors down from engineer/producer Tom Fletcher and no more than a stone's throw from the beach and sea.

I went to Yngwie's studio and we listened to the songs and discussed the best way to approach doing the vocals. From what I understand, YJM normally does demos with the singer, but not this time, (demos, sometimes give you the dreaded "demo-itise") so, by not doing them, it left us with a fresh and vibrant approach. It meant we could try something and then something else. Have fun, feel what was right for each song.

Tom Fletcher set me up a great mix and vocal sound. He understood exactly what a singer requires to produce a performance. Not surprising really, as he has worked with Ozzy, Paul Rogers, and Don Henley amongst others.

Yngwie sang the first song to me and it was my job to interpret that and make it sound powerful, full of passion and aggression. When we listened to the first take we all looked at each other and smiled as we knew that we had the sound and the formulas to bring these songs alive. Everything else was there, huge, powerful drums, stylish, classy keyboards, pounding, monstrous bass and blistering guitar. So we really needed to have soaring vocals.

Anne: How did you two get on together in his studio?

Doogie: We all got on very well in the studio. We were all working towards the same goal and were under no pressure. Yngwie had written some great songs. Tom had captured some amazing performances. And now, we were blasting out a vocal a day and thoroughly enjoying it.

Anne: He has said that even though he was specific about phrasing, etc., on the vocal tracks, you still managed to bring your own stamp to the material (he was very complimentary of your range and dramatic vocal quality).

Doogie: That's very kind of him. The cheque will be in the post!!! ..... It was very relaxed actually. We were singing from the same hymn sheet. I knew what he wanted and it was very natural. His direction was very cool. What was different was that normally I would have written the melody or the lyric, so I know what is going on and how it all relates. Now, I was interpreting what YJM wanted. Bringing the melodies to life, as it were. It was not as difficult as either of us imagined, and the vocals really have a razor sharp edge, with a great deal of character and attitude. We understood each other very well and had fun doing it.

Anne: What kind of work has Tom Fletcher done with the tracks?

Doogie: With the experience and expertise Tom has, it was not difficult to have faith that he would get a great sound. The sound he has for the drums is so awesome, it will make your eyes bleed. Yngwie's guitars have never sounded so good. I am sure at the time of mixing, all the little levels will be perfect and the dust will be sprinkled to make this the best sounding Malmsteen record ever.

Anne: There is much anticipation/anxiety from the Yngwie fan base wondering what the new album will sound like.

Doogie: Anticipation, yes!! But why anxiety, my friends? The album has a pulse and energy in the writing, recording, and in the performances that could make this the best Yngwie album yet. I really believe it is that good.

Now I am in training for the tour, in order to give a high octane performance every night and hit the high notes. I look forward to seeing you on the road with Yngwie and the rest of the lads later in the year.

Anne: Many thanks for such a tantalizing interview - it will be hard to wait until we can get our hands on the new album!