YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Honored By SHARPIE!

Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen was recently honored by Sharpie — a manufacturer of writing instruments (mainly marker pens) whose products are sold in over 20 countries.

Sharpie president Ben J. Gadbois (pictured below with Yngwie), who did the honors, had this to say: “I have followed Yngwie since high school and am a huge fan.”

He added, “It was fantastic to meet one of the greatest guitar players of all time and talk about music and several of our common interests. It was also an honor to present Yngwie with his own personalized Sharpies. It means a lot that he chooses our markers to sign autographs. He’s definitely made an indelible mark on music, and in some small way, we hope Sharpie has helped him make a lasting impressions with his fans.”

Released on November 22, 2010 via Malmsteen‘s own Rising Force Records, Yngwie‘s latest album, “Relentless”, contains more than 60 minutes of brand new material and showcases the guitar great at his best with the signature virtuosity and mind-blowing technical speed for which he has come to be known. “Relentless” also features striking vocals from Tim “Ripper” Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), who first collaborated with Malmsteen on “Perpetual Flame” (Malmsteen‘s first album for the Rising Force Records label).

Of the new album, Malmsteen commented, “The album title really says it all. The drive to surpass my own accomplishments can best be described with one word — relentless. After all these years of composing and playing music, I still am passionate about pushing myself to the limit — to the highest, most demanding level of playing possible.”