Ring of Fire (Mark Boals album)

Mark Boals, best known as the vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen's band in the mid-1980s and later for the supergroup Iron Mask, recorded Ring of Fire as his first solo effort. The album was released on the Finnish label Lion Music, which specialized in guitar-oriented melodic metal. Boals wrote or co-wrote most of the material, drawing on his classical training and his experience in the neo-classical metal scene.

The recording featured a lineup of notable musicians, including guitarist Tony MacAlpine, who also produced the album, and drummer Virgil Donati, both renowned for their technical proficiency. The sessions took place in 1999, and the album was mixed by MacAlpine, giving it a polished, guitar-forward sound that complemented Boals's soaring vocals.

The album is a blend of power metal and neo-classical metal, characterized by fast tempos, intricate guitar solos, and Boals's operatic vocal delivery. Songs like "Ring of Fire" and "The Eyes of the World" feature double-bass drumming and harmonic minor scales, typical of the genre. Lyrically, the album explores themes of fantasy, mythology, and personal struggle, with tracks like "Sword of Glory" referencing epic battles and "Lost in the Rain" dealing with emotional turmoil.¹

Boals's vocal range, which spans nearly four octaves, is a central element, allowing him to hit extreme high notes that became a signature of his style. The album also includes a cover of the classic "Burn" by Deep Purple, reimagined with a heavier, more modern production.²

Upon release, Ring of Fire received positive reviews from the metal press, with critics praising Boals's vocal performance and the album's technical musicianship. It was noted for its consistency and strong songwriting, though some felt it was derivative of the neo-classical style popularized by Malmsteen. The album has since become a cult favorite among fans of melodic power metal, and it is often cited as one of Boals's best solo works.

The album's title track has been performed live by Boals in various concerts and has been included in compilation albums. It also helped establish Boals as a solo artist, leading to subsequent releases like Ignition (2002) and Edge of the World (2005).³

The album consists of ten tracks, all written by Boals except where noted. The track listing is as follows:

• "Ring of Fire" – 4:32
• "The Eyes of the World" – 5:01
• "Sword of Glory" – 4:45
• "Lost in the Rain" – 5:20
• "Burn" (Coverdale, Blackmore, Lord, Paice) – 4:15
• "Eternal Flame" – 4:58
• "The Temple of the King" – 5:10
• "Cry for the Nations" – 4:40
• "Time to Fly" – 4:22
• "The Last Goodbye" – 5:30

All songs feature Boals on vocals, with MacAlpine on guitar, Donati on drums, and bassist Philip Bynoe completing the rhythm section.⁴

One lesser-known fact is that the album was originally intended to be a collaboration between Boals and guitarist George Bellas, but Bellas left the project early, and MacAlpine stepped in. The album's cover art, depicting a fiery ring, was designed by artist Luis Royo, who is known for his fantasy illustrations. Additionally, the Japanese edition of the album includes a bonus track, "The Wizard," which was not available on the international release.⁵

Boals has mentioned in interviews that the song "Ring of Fire" was inspired by a dream he had about a volcanic eruption, and the lyrics reflect a sense of impending doom. The album also features a hidden track after "The Last Goodbye," which is a short instrumental piece titled "Outro."

Neo-classical metal

A subgenre of heavy metal that incorporates classical music elements, such as harmonic minor scales and virtuosic guitar solos.

Power metal

A style of heavy metal characterized by fast tempos, melodic vocals, and often fantasy-themed lyrics.

Lion Music

A Finnish record label specializing in melodic hard rock and heavy metal, founded in 1998.