A Virgin Steele review.

[Cheiron]

http://www.virgin-steele.com/news.html


This sums up my feelings about it fairly well.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

I don't get why there was no bass player. I've never seen that before. Besides, the last time I saw VS about 4-5 years ago, I could swear Josh played bass only.

 

[sh0kr0k]

Good review! I've seen plenty of bands with no bass player, so it wasn't that odd of an experience for me. I had the pleasure to chat with David DeFeis for quite some time after their set. He is a terrific individual! Very humble, intelligent, and genuine. Makes me enjoy the music even more when the musician is a class act. But then, I never had a problem enjoying Virgin Steele's music!

 

[Cheiron]

Yeah he was very nice to chat with. However briefly I did. He mentioned the possibility of a European or US tour so I can only hope to catch them again...

 

[YtseJammer]

Last US show earlier this year (January) here in NY, they had no bass player. Josh had been injured in an auto (I believe) accident prior to the show.

In Georgia, however, Defeis didn't play any keyboards. That's perhaps the best part of their live show. It's beyond me why one wasn't used....

 

[DemonOfTheWoods]

I love Virgin Steele, been a fan since Invictus (which I still say is the best album), but the whole no bass player thing really bothers me. Why can a band of that caliber and a band who has been around for almost 25 years not find a bass player? I'm sure there are plenty of bassist who would play for them in a heartbeat. Hell, I'm a bassist, I would play bass for VS any day!!

 

[Clark Griswold]

Did they have one off the stage? Sometimes if people aren't "members" of the band, they don't get the exposure. Iron Maiden keyboardist Michael Kenney anyone?

 

[booB]

Between hearing "Defiance" and "Veni Vidi Vici", I was a happy metalhead. I would have been even happier with something better from The House of Atreus, perhaps The Fire God or Return of the King.

 

[CrimsonEmotions]

Virgin Steele were one of the reasons that I decided to go, and they were definitely worth the 3 hour drive alone. They were amazing live, and I didn't even notice the lack of a bassist (of course, I was all the way up in the seats). The performance was extremely good, and the setlist was also amazing (though I would have liked to have heard some of their earlier material, just for contrast). In particular, I was pleased to hear veni vidi vici. Above all, aside from pre-Marriage material, the only song I would have loved to have heard would have been Mind Body Spirit. Otherwise, a nearly flawless show.

 

[Magius]

I actually liked them better than some other bands that people are raving about; however, they were easily the weakest performance this year. I'm basing that on the facts that they pulled the smallest and least enthusiasic crowd of either night.

Some of it wasn't their fault. The mix was terrible, especially vox, which made DeFeis mostly inaudible. He actually shook the mic and looked at it as if there was something wrong with it several times. Still, there were things they could have done to make the set more appealing to those unfamiliar with them.

First of all bring a bassist. While some people didn't mind, it's clear that many people did care... a lot. When you're trying to make a first impression at the premier Metal festival in the US, you'd think it would occure to someone that isn't a particularly good idea. And if you're going to present a Great Sword of Flame to the audience make it relevent... sing the song.

 

[shaq]

Last US show earlier this year (January) here in NY, they had no bass player. Josh had been injured in an auto (I believe) accident prior to the show.

Yeah he was in a car accident shortly before then and couldn't do the gig.

I don't get why there was no bass player. I've never seen that before. Besides, the last time I saw VS about 4-5 years ago, I could swear Josh played bass only.

I was surprised by that too because as you said, Josh is their bass player. He's mainly a guitarist so it's not that surprising to see him on a guitar, but it was pretty dumb to not have a bassist at all.

 

[mëtålspëd]

I really do not understand the hangup of not having a bassist on the stage. What is the big deal, really?

 

[7thSaviour]

I thought that the VS set and setlist rocked! 9.5/10 overall. No bass required! Seriously, I loved their entire performance, especially VVV!

 

[7thSaviour]

I really do not understand the hangup of not having a bassist on the stage. What is the big deal, really?

men! I couldn't agree more. They kicked ass even without a live bass player onstage.

 

[PurpleCrayonWriter]

Good review! I've seen plenty of bands with no bass player, so it wasn't that odd of an experience for me. I had the pleasure to chat with David DeFeis for quite some time after their set. He is a terrific individual! Very humble, intelligent, and genuine. Makes me enjoy the music even more when the musician is a class act. But then, I never had a problem enjoying Virgin Steele's music!

I agree, TZ. I think he's an interesting combination of humble and over-the-top confident.

When I e-mailed him after ProgPower, I send along a couple of the pictures I took of their set (like the one of the flaming sword). He asked me for more to post on their web site. Of course, I sent a bunch over. He thanked me profusely.

I thought Virgin Steele's set was great. Very flamboyant, old-school metal. Lots of energy. David is a talented guy with a fierce determination to succeed. Sort of like Jon Schaffer in that respect. Or Steve Harris.

So, I'm with ya on this one. David DeFeis is a great guy. And Virgin Steele surprised the hell out of me with their set.

 

[DAVETHEMETALGUY]

amen