The VIRGIN STEELE thread!

[Anonymous]

Virgin Steele is, in my opinion, a VERY underrated band. Everything they do, they do it well. I don't know if you ever listened to this band - and if you haven't, you REALLY don't know what you're missing.

Every album is like a gigantic puzzle, where you have to figure out where the pieces fit, or rather HOW they fit. I can't explain it any better. I just know that the every album gets better & better with each listen.

It's my belief that their problem was their first couple of albums - they hinted nothing at the grateness to come after NOBLE SAVAGE.

If you're by now wondering what they sound like, well, think of Manowar with vastly more mature lyrics and less leather/furs on stage. Overall, a less extreme approach to Metal, but with the same, if not even more, intensity. If you like the SOUND of Manowar, but abhorr their approach to lyrics/image, THIS is the band for you.

Every album after NOBLE SAVAGE has grown consistently better, and even LIFE AMONG THE RUINS, an unusual straight forward hard-rock album, and the one from where these videos come from is, in my opinion, a fucking masterpiece.

David DeFeis, the mastermind behind this awesome live band has easily one of the best and easily recognizable voices you'll ever hear, and his penchant for pompous, glorious music is quite well balanced by lead guitarist Edward Pursino's relentless approach to music.

Quite the underrated guitar player, too... noone mentions Pursino as one of the grates, and in truth, he hasn't broke any new ground. But his sound is not only essential to Virgin Steele, it's instantly recognizable as well, and virtually flawless.

Thank you for your patience on reading this introduction. Now, lemme post some videos.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Anonymous]

These videos are the complete Tale of The Snakeskin Voodoo Man video. I think it's the ONLY official Virgin Steele video ever released and I believe it's only available on VHS, hence the shitty quality.

Anyways, Part I - Tale of The Snakeskin Voodoo Man

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This video shows Virgin Steele bluesin' it up, and it's smokin'! If you're a blues fan, you're sure to simply larve this tune.

Part II - Love is Pain

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David Coverdale, eat your heart out.

Part III - Cage Of Angels/Never Believed In Goodbye

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GRATE ballad, although not as grate as some of their gratest ballads. Well, you know what I mean.

Part IV - Invitation/I Dress In Black

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Is it shades of David Lee Roth I see in DeFeis' stage presence?

Cheers! :bottle:

[Anonymous]

Now, as I've stated in my first post, this isn't really what Virgin Steele are about. This is a more straigh forward, blues based hard rock album than the rest of Virgin Steele's albums.

However, if you liked what you heard/saw here, I can recommend you these:

* The Marriage of Heaven & Hell Parts I & II

* Invictus - VERY aggressive. Extremely, even.

* Age of Consent - the 1996 re-release, with bonus tracks.

* House of Atreus Parts I & II

They are ALL grate albums, and I'm not sure which one I like best. Then there's the others I haven't listened to yet, of course. But I'm taking care of it.

Cheers! :bottle:

[GAR]

This is the Virgin Steele from UK? We had one in California by that name and they're not the same band.

[Mr Walker]

I think these guys are from the New York/Long Island area...

I had one of their albums back in the day... I think I may have had an ep of theirs as well.
Maybe it was called Guardian of the Flame? The last song on the album was called 'Cry Out in the Dark' or something to that effect.
I also bought the Jack Starr solo album that he did with the late Rhett Forrester (sp?) who sang for another NY area based band Riot... the album was OK, but Starr was kind of an asshole. I remember him trying to get heat for his album by claiming that Eddie Van Halen sucked and he was much better,

[Diamondjimi]

I think these guys are from the New York/Long Island area...

I had one of their albums back in the day... I think I may have had an ep of theirs as well.
Maybe it was called Guardian of the Flame? The last song on the album was called 'Cry Out in the Dark' or something to that effect.
I also bought the Jack Starr solo album that he did with the late Rhett Forrester (sp?) who sang for another NY area based band Riot... the album was OK, but Starr was kind of an asshole. I remember him trying to get heat for his album by claiming that Eddie Van Halen sucked and he was much better,

Bought that on cassette when it came out. Didn't hold my interest too long. Jack Starr... he wasn't worthy of carrying Ed's jock strap...

[Anonymous]

Wait, nononononononononononononono!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not THAT Virgin Steele! I mean, yes, THAT Virgin Steele, but not with Jack Starr!

Shit, I knew it. THAT is why they don't get the praises they deserve... loads of people HAVE heard their first album, as I feared & discounted them because of that. Yes, indeed... the debut IS the most important album of the band.

But guys, Virgin Steele TODAY has nothing to do with those lame attempts at rock n' roll.

Fortunately, between the time I started this thread & now, proper Virgin Steele YouTubes have surfaced. It wasn't the case back then, that shit was all I could find.

But now, I will post WHAT VIRGIN STEELE IS ALL ABOUT these days.

Get ready to have your mind blown out.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Anonymous]

Alright, let's begin... Age of Consent was their first true album. They HAD reached pinnacles of genius with Noble Savage, but it wasn't quite...

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The quality of the audio sucks, I know... YouTube still sucks, unfortunately. But it will give you a good idea. Notice Pursino's solo... more than wankery, it's an integral part of the song.

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Unfortunately, the intro & the coda for this song are not available... but it KICKS ASS!

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Aaaah, here we go... Perfect Mansions - THE song. This one is my all time favourite music. It's... I can't really explain it. Just take a listen, with the proper required attention. No one has ever written anything that's even close to this masterpiece.

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No intro here, either... pity, as it IS necessary to understand the song in full, especially as it draws to a close... but still... hang in tight 'till the end of the second chorus - and get ready to have your balls kicked to next week.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Anonymous]

Now, this is what I consider to be the second part of the album... there IS a noticeable change in pace, but nothing too drastic. It still feels like the same album, as it should.

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I like how this one comes right after The Serpent's Kiss... the change of pace really fits here, I believe.

Several songs are now missing, including an unbelievable cover of Judas Priest's "Desert Plains". Seriously... they Virgin Steeleized it, and it sounds absolutely amazing. Almost like they understood the TRUE potential of the song, while Judas Priest only recorded a demo... it is, like I said, unbelievable. But true.

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This one was originally from "Life Among the Ruins", but was later added to the reissue of "Age of Consent". Once again, notice how Edward Pursino's solos become an integral part of the song. A severely underrated guitarist, Pursino is. Maybe precisely because he's TOO GOOD to be a wanker & therefore NEVER wanks. He plays music.

No closing song for the album either. Pity.

Well, enjoy these. Next, I'll be posting "The Marriage of Heaven & Hell", and that IS where we begin to get to the good parts. Why haven't I posted the good parts yet, you ask? Because, my son, this is a journey. You NEED to listen to the first to fully & completely understand the latter. By the time we get to "Invictus", you WILL be conquered. And by the time we get to the "House of Atreus"... you'll never listen to music the same way again.

Cheers! :bottle: