In 1996, Malmsteen joined forces with former band members Jeff Scott

In 1996, Malmsteen joined forces with former band members Jeff Scott Soto and Marcel Jacob on the album Human Clay where he played lead guitar on the track “Jealousy”. In the same year, Malmsteen recorded guitar solos for two different Deep Purple tribute albums, Smoke on the Water and Black Night – Deep Purple Tribute According to New York , using the alias “Lars Y. Loudamp” on the latter to avoid contractual conflicts. He also guested with Saxon on the song “Denim And Leather” on their live album The Eagle Has Landed – Part II (released in 1997). Later that year, Malmsteen recorded the tracks “Enigma suite” and “All opposable thumbs” with his former band members Jens Johansson and Anders Johansson on their album Johansson/Sonic Winter .