my definition of pedal-tone is:
-You would use a note as a "Home Base", meaning, say you take A for example. From A u play a series of notes, But A will always remain in there.
-Which means, A will be like a note that u always go back to. so it goes like this, A-B A-C A-D etc.. etc..
-and pedal tones are widely used in classical music, in this context, neo-classical. if u abide to this logic, and apply it on a harmonic minor scale, it would def remind u of the malmsteen sound!
Hope it helps!!! this is like the most laymen i can get!!! heez.. if u are still confused. PM me!!!