I thought I would do a some threads featuring the top selling NeoClassical albums. In these threads members can discuss the album in question and rate it out of 10. You may also like to indicate when you first heard the album, if you own a copy or if you've never heard it but intend to buy it at some point.

So first up I'm gonna start with Yngwie's debut solo album 'Rising Force'. This was released in 1984 and for many is the definitive NeoClassical guitar album. I first heard it in 1985, in fact after I'd heard and bought Yngwie's 2nd album 'Marching Out. This is the album that started it all for me. Featuring amazing playing by Malmsteen, it's mostly instrumental save 2 track featuring vocals courtesy of Jeff Scott Soto. Great tunes on this album including Church organ and Harpsichord. Stand out tracks for me are 'Far Beyond the Sun' and Evil Eye. Tbh I was never really a fan of 'Black Star' which went on to become Yngwie's signature tune if you like. A great album which I still listen to regularly so I'll rate it at 10/10.

I can't remember exactly when I first heard it (2006?), but it was Devon whom introduced me to it. I had gone over to his house and he showed me this album he found on the internet of some awesome swedish guy with a name I couldn't pronounce. I have to say at that time I didn't like it right off the bat, but then it grew on me and totally shifted where I was going as a guitar player. This is one of my favourite albums of all time, I love every song on here. My favourites are As Above So Below, Far Beyond the Sun, Icarus' Dream Suite Op. 4, Evil Eye, Black Star..errr ok I love every song lol. I have this on vinyl along with Marching Out and Trilogy. One of the best albums ever, I wish Yngwie hadn't gone down the standard metal path and had stayed more towards what the first album was.

Heard the entire album either early 2008 or sometime 2007. Before then i had heard the more famous songs like Black Star and Far Beyond The Sun and wanted to get it, if only for those two. Turned the rest of the album was kick ass too. My favourite would have to be Evil Eye, I love the bluesy solo with all the whammy bar stuff.

Didn't really hear this album till the late 80's and I have never owned the original album(although I had a copy on cassette). I'll rate it as a 10 because of the importance of the album and the quality of the guitar playing - it is a landmark album.

The reason I never bought many Yngwie albums when I was younger was that I didn't want to be heavily influenced by his style as there were tons of Yngwie clones around at that time. That was when I was wanting to 'make it' as a guitarist lol! Maybe I'll buy the CD as my old bootleg copy has gone awol!

A friend of mine introduced me to this album about 8 years ago. I was like wow this is some insane stuff and I was looking for a different sound than the usual blues based rock sound that I always here on classic rock and a lot of metal bands. Icarus' Dream Suite Op. 4 is my favorite but Black Star, Evil Eye, and Far Beyond the Sun are awesome as well. I also love Marching Out and Trilogy. This one put Yngwie on the map though and changed music.

Gave it an 8.

Come on, go ahead and flame me for my decision, but I can't honestly rate it any higher (and I consider an 8 from me a really good one). Surely the album made way for the shred movement, and it's the sole Yngwie album that I can listen through without feeling bored to no end.

Then again, the album doesn't stand as a milestone in my life; I had already heard Becker's stuff before this one, having discovered him through Marty Friedman (due to Megadeth fame). That was when I found the shred, in 2006 and early 2007, methinks. Sometime after that I gave Yngwie a good listen, and was astounded by his works.

But honestly, Yngwie doesn't inspire me. I don't think he ever has the same way as Friedman, Becker and co. Granted, his solo debut was a good one back then, he's just kept on releasing dozens of inferior copies of that same record ever since.

Never checked out the whole album. But I listened to all the goods songs on there. I think it gets a 10 because those were the classic songs that play big part in neo-classical.