ERIKA MALMSTEEN – In The Arms Of A Stranger [Japanese Edition +1] (1992) *HQ* RARE

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

As requested, here’s the very good second album by Swedish singer ERIKA Norberg, 1992’s ‘‘In the Arms of a Stranger”. While Erika received considerable press and promotion at the time for being the wife of Yngwie Malmsteen, she demonstrates genuine musical talent.
Beyond her strong vocal performance, Erika co‑wrote most of the songs on the album. This is polished European / Scandi melodic rock & AOR, full of smooth melodies and catchy hooks. Erika’s vocals are powerful yet balanced in the mix, allowing the skilled session musicians to shine.

This is the rare Japanese edition, which includes a bonus track. It’s a curiosity, as it also features different cover art and was released under her married name, ERIKA MALMSTEEN, at the request of the Japanese label to capitalize Yngwie’s immense popularity in Asia.
After the intro ”6 A.M.”, first proper track ”Wake Me Up When The House Is On Fire” is a bomb. Written by magicians Jack Ponti & Vic Pepe for Alice Cooper but give to Erika, the song kills! Next there’s “Rock Me Into Heaven”, another moving song penned by Lars Kilevold & Torstein Bieler of Norwegian hard rockers Sons Of Angels.

These are the only external tracks on the record, the rest is co-written by Erika and very good they are; “Shadows In Rain”, title track “In The Arms Of A Stranger”, Easy Come, Easy Go”, etc, all quality material. On the bonus track appears husband Yngwie dropping a crazy guest guitar solo.
Highly Recommended

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01 – 6 A.M.
02 – Wake Me Up When The House Is On Fire
03 – Rock Me Into Heaven
04 – Games We Play
05 – Easy Come, Easy Go
06 – In The Arms Of A Stranger
07 – Made Of Stone
08 – Walk Into My Heart
09 – Shadows In Rain
10 – Danger In Disguise
11 – Fall From Grace
BONUS TRACK FOR JAPAN:
12 – Emergency [feat. Yngwie]

Vocals – Erika
Guitar – Benny Jansson, Bobby Ljunggren, Ulf Jansson
Keyboards, Bass, Backing Vocals – Håkan Almqvist
Saxophone – Mats Gunnarsson
Backing Vocals – Lilling Palmeklint, Patric Fransson, Thomas Walter
Guest Guitar – Yngwie Malmsteen

Out of print
Second hand copy;
shopping.bookoff.co.jp/used/0000820564