As above, so below

I’ll admit: I approached *As Above, So Below* skeptical. Another rock bio? Another deep dive into a guitarist whose name alone sparks debates in guitar forums? But Tengner’s book—and his narration—won me over by doing something rare: it treats Yngwie Malmsteen as both a revolutionary *and* a cautionary tale, without tipping into hero worship or outright dismissal. The audiobook’s pacing is deliberate, almost methodical, which suits the subject. Malmsteen’s life isn’t a rollercoaster; it’s a series of plateaued highs and self-inflicted crashes, and Tengner’s delivery reflects that—calm, analytical, but with a hint of exasperation when recounting the guitarist’s more absurd decisions (like firing his entire band mid-tour because *of course he did*). The production is clean, but the real standout is how Tengner uses archival interviews and firsthand accounts to let the story indict itself. The chapter on Malmsteen’s 1980s heyday is electric, not just for the music but for the way it contrasts his technical dominance with his growing reputation as a prima donna. Less successful is the book’s occasional detour into tangential music theory—fascinating for gearheads, but likely to test the patience of casual listeners. And while Tengner’s narration is mostly excellent, his Swedish accent (though authentic) can make some proper nouns tricky to parse on first listen. Still, these are minor quibbles. What lingers is the portrait of a man who could’ve been the greatest guitarist of his generation if he hadn’t been his own worst enemy. For anyone who’s ever loved—or loved to hate—Yngwie, this is essential listening.