Yngwie Malmsteen Angered, Calls Ex-Vocalist a 'Hired Worker' Who Rides on His Big Name

Yngwie Malmsteen (Instagram @yngwiemalmstern_official)

JAKARTA - Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen launched a sharp criticism of the row of vocalists who have worked with him.

He accused the former vocalists of trying to take financial advantage of the brand (brand) that he had built for decades.

The tension came to the fore after several of his former collaborators announced a tour highlighting material from the era when they were still with Malmsteen.

The figure known for his neoclassical metal game confirmed that the involvement of the singers in the past did not give them ownership rights over his works.

"So, it has come to my attention that the hired and paid singers I have recruited for this solo album are all trying to take advantage of my brand!" said Malmsteen, quoted by Blabbermouth, Sunday, December 21.

Malmsteen, who in his long career has employed big names such as Jeff Scott Soto, Joe Lynn Turner, to Tim "Ripper" Owens, emphasized that their status at that time was nothing more than employees.

The 62-year-old guitarist felt the need to straighten out the history of who was behind the success of his solo albums.

"Let's be clear: appearing on my solo album is not the same as ownership, authorship, or legacy. Writing a line here and there does not make someone a songwriter, and singing my material does not make it theirs," said Malmsteen.

"They are only given a salary (hired workers) to bring the parts I wrote, just like the keyboard player, bassist, drummer, and others," he said.

This strong statement is allegedly triggered by the announcement of Mats Levén's concert in Japan in 2026 which will focus on the album Facing The Animal (1997).

In addition, Mark Boals and Michael Vescera also plan to hold a European tour titled "The Seventh Trilogy Tour" with the label "The Voices of Yngwie Malmsteen".

Malmsteen also questioned the credibility and creativity of his former colleagues beyond the shadow of his name. He felt that they relied too much on his song catalog to attract public attention.

"If the only way you can tour or get attention is by leaning on my brand and using my name and album titles and my solo catalog, then you've answered your own question about who actually built something, and what they've recorded/created over the last 30, 40 years," Malmsteen concluded.