Virgin Steele - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part One

[Dark One]

Some rambling, quick thoughts.

This is just so damn good. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys their share of traditional/power metal (and not in a typical "Euro power" sense). For fans of Manowar (the musical side, not the image side), this is a no brainer. David DeFeis is one of the most underrated & underappreciated songwriters/vocalists in metal. His passion, creativity & talent are just flowing freely in this one. "I Will Come For You" and "Life Among the Ruins" are flat out classic songs. DeFeis' clean vocals are quite unique - at once both powerful & soothing, and Edward Pursano's guitar work complements the vocal style perfectly. This is one of those rare albums that I can listen to in almost any mood. Cheering me up when I'm down, mellowing me out when I'm on top of the world - it doesn't take you to any extreme areas of emotion; instead, it allows you to escape from them. And really, isn't that what great music is all about?

Give Virgin Steele a try sometime, you might be surprised.

Other highly recommended works:

Age of Consent
Invictus
The House of Atreus, Part I

 

[Krilons Resa]

So far, Invictus is my favorite.

Their liner notes in the booklets are very personal with the fans and kickass as well.

 

[Dark One]

So far, Invictus is my favorite.

Their liner notes in the booklets are very personal with the fans and kickass as well.

Yep, you can just sense the passion DeFeis has for both his fans and his craft. BY THE GODS!!

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

Cant stress how much this band rules. Part II had probably ascended to one of my favourite albums ever. David DeFeis is such a master at crafting songs.

 

[Krilons Resa]

Best VS song = Invictus as well. fuckin' A!!!

[ENDYAMON:]
I sing of Power, Magick and Faith
A Sonnet of Pure Victory
A Hymn to the Spirits of Freedom and Grace
And whichever Gods there may be . . .
Manacled, Beaten, Blackened and
Burned Cast from the
Light of the Goal I'll never falter, stumble or kneel
Thanks to the strength of my Soul
Lashed by the Winds of Fate
Stung by the Gods of Hate
I'm Rising in Power,
I'm Rising Unchained Call this a
Sacred Vow All that I tell you now I may be
Bloody, but I am unbowed I am Power
Harken the Hour,
Season and Day Phantom of Dark Misery
Summon your Demons,
Hunger and Hate Spirit of Impurity Ravaged by
Fire, stripped and enslaved
Torn from the World that I know I'll never cry out,
buckle or kneel I am the King of my Soul
Stung by the Gods of Wrath
Blinded by Circumstance
I'm Rising in Power,
I'm Rising Unchained
All that I tell you now
Sure as a Sacred Vow I may be
Bloody, but I am unbowed
[THE GODHEAD:]
Die, fall on your Sword, fall on your knees
Die like your
Son nailed to his tree
Die by my Hand, die by my Sword
Right on this Site,
Vultures defile
[ENDYAMON:]
Die, fall on your Sword,
fall on your knees Die in the
Sun nailed to these trees
Die by my Hand, die in my
Heart Flung from the Heights, forever fall
I sing of Power,
Magick and Might A Sonnet of Pure Victory
A Hymn to the Fearless, the Savage, the Brave
The Spirit of our Liberty
Total my debts, tally my sins, charge each offence on my
Scroll I'll never alter the course of my
Steele, I am the King of my Soul
Lashed by the Winds of Fate
Stung by the Gods of Hate
I'm Rising in Power through
Murdering Rain Stronger than Faith allows
Braver than Hero's Vows My Head is Bloody,
but I am unbowed
I AM POWER, POWER ! ! ! ! ! ! !

 

[JayKeeley]

Hey Dark One -- why don't you have your secretary send my assistant a CD-R? *cough*

 

[Dark One]

LOL

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Though far from being the best V.S. album, this album rules indeed (as almost everything VS has done). "Last Supper" is another non mentioned favourite.

 

[Dark One]

Though far from being the best V.S. album

Just curious, which one would you pick as your favorite?

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Guardians

 

[Dark One]

Best VS song = Invictus as well. fuckin' A!!!

Good song, but on that album I'll go with "Veni, Vidi, Vici" and "Mind, Body, Spirit" as my favorites.

 

[Dark One]

Guardians

One of the few I haven't heard. Recently re-released right? Might have to track that one down.

 

[Lies and Perfidy]

Good song, but on that album I'll go with "Veni, Vidi, Vici" and "Mind, Body, Spirit" as my favorites.

I think there's a lot to be said for "Defiance," myself, but that album is best taken as a whole - like most Virgin Steele.

Best VS song overall has to be "The Burning of Rome." Fucking fantastic.

 

[Dark One]

Best VS song overall has to be "The Burning of Rome." Fucking fantastic.

AND CRY FOR POMPEII!!!!! Killer stuff.

 

[BenMech]

Waddya know, I've been pumping Hymns to Victory on my iPod at the gym lately. Great stuff.


My favorite marriage-era tune is either Blood and Gasoline or I Wake Up Screaming

 

[Dark One]

Waddya know, I've been pumping Hymns to Victory on my iPod at the gym lately. Great stuff.


My favorite marriage-era tune is either Blood and Gasoline or I Wake Up Screaming

Nice. BOTH off of Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part One I might add.

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

Crown of Glory, I Wake up Screaming, Rising Unchained, Enalaith, and Victory is Mine are my favourites from the Marriage suite.

 

[Dark One]

Crown of Glory, I Wake up Screaming, Rising Unchained, Enalaith, and Victory is Mine are my favourites from the Marriage suite.

You probably already know this, but Invictus is really Marriage Part 3, though none of the songs you mentioned fail to rule.