Virgin Steele

[Krilons Resa]

Dayum!!! I think I just need to get them all.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

In that case, then buy the old ones first. If you buy them first and THEN the newer ones, you'll feel relieved.

Conversely, if you buy the new ones first, and then go BACK to the old ones, you'll only feel ripped off.

yeah, I'm such a dick to prove a point, I know

 

[Lies and Perfidy]

I think the even spread of the votes proves that Virgin Steele has been overall awesome since Invictus, and that two people are dumb.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

^^^

LMAO

*dies*

 

[BenMech]

I'll say Age of Consent and everything after that qualifies VS as good stuff. They were still kinda hairy hard rock, but there was this gleam of outward expansion, especially on The Burning of Rome (I need to pop that in da player again).

Btw, Invictus is actually Marriage of Heaven and Hell Pt 3, by way of lyrics and storyline.

 

[Krilons Resa]

What on earth? Have I walked into the Wintersun thread again?

what?

 

[J.]

so i now own marriage 1 and 2, invictus, and house of atreus 2, with atreus part 1 on the way.

ive only listened to marriage part 1 and this is just well thought out intelligent power metal with a progressive flare. the guys voice is quite excellent. ill admit they get a twee "flowery" at times, but it doesnt descend into the realm of gay, and somehow it makes the songs better.

part 2 and invictus tonight. gotta wait for atreus 1 before listening to atreus 2

btw, is anything pre marriage 1 worth grabbing. reading this thread it seems some think they are worth grabbing while others say stick with the 5 ive got.

also, reading about visions of eden (their latest), many say its not even metal, with a love it or hate it vibe

 

[Dark One]

ive only listened to marriage part 1 and this is just well thought out intelligent power metal with a progressive flare. the guys voice is quite excellent. ill admit they get a twee "flowery" at times, but it doesnt descend into the realm of gay, and somehow it makes the songs better.

Yeah, this probably wasn't the greatest thread to bump IMO, there are some better VS discussions elsewhere in the archives (some more recent as well if I recall).

Anyway, your thoughts are precisely my thoughts on that album. The "flowery" interludes and vocalisms are why I hesitated at first to recommend them to you, but since you mentioned them I decided to chime in.

part 2 and invictus tonight. gotta wait for atreus 1 before listening to atreus 2

Part 2 has a very similar vibe to part 1 in both style and substance. Invictus is where David DeFeis started losing the ability to sing at a higher octave regularly and it makes that album a much darker experience. His voice on the latter is definitely far more raspy than earlier works, but in the end I enjoy both styles immensely. Ironically though, his greatest higher pitch vocal watermark comes at the end of Invictus in the form of the amazing Veni, Vidi, Vici. Gives me chills every single time I hear it.

btw, is anything pre marriage 1 worth grabbing. reading this thread it seems some think they are worth grabbing while others say stick with the 5 ive got.

Yes, you definitely want to acquire the 1997 re-release version of "Age of Consent". It was completely re-worked with multiple new tracks that rank among some of VS's best ever. The original release is primarily made up of hard rock style tracks that typified the band's late 80's early 90's output, but the re-release gives it that "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" vibe and completely transforms the album. While it's still a bit uneven due to the varying styles, tracks like "Cry for Pompeii", "Lion In Winter" and "Perfect Mansions" make it more than worth your time.

Definitely steer clear of "Life Among the Ruins". "Noble Savage" is ok, with maybe 2 standout tracks, but it's mostly dated hard rock. I'm not as familiar with the band's earliest output, but some hold the album "Guardians of the Flame" in high regard. Jack Starr was the primary influence in the band in those days as opposed to DeFeis.

also, reading about visions of eden (their latest), many say its not even metal, with a love it or hate it vibe

Overall I really enjoy it, but there's definitely way more energy in the first 5 tracks or so. Afterwards it's wholly introspective and a chore to get through on the first few listens. It pays off over time though, and based on the quaility of the first part of the album I think it's worth obtaining, though not as essential as some of the other albums.

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

Virgin Steele is undoubtedly one of my all time favourites- drove six hours to Long Island to see them twice this year. I cannot recommend "Age of Consent" enough, surely in my "top 10 greatest albums in the universe" list. I really enjoy essentially all of their material but I doubt many would enjoy much before the Age of Consent period, it seems like most people enjoy from Marriage Part One to the present. "Visions of Eden" is a beast in and of itself, definitely not an album the immediately clicks as Dark One referenced. As a composition piece it is very impressive and some songs are masterfully orchestrated, but it has met with mixed reviews among old and new fans alike.

So basically....yea, what Dark One said.

 

[J.]

um Visions of Eden is easily my fave behind Marriage I. Atreus I would be third.

the early stuff isnt bad, but not a patch on the later albums.

 

[Dark One]

um Visions of Eden is easily my fave behind Marriage I. Atreus I would be third.

Wow, that's interesting. While I would also rank Marriage I first, Visions was far less immediate for me and took repeated listens to begin to appreciate (outside the first 5 tracks or so). I'd probably rank Invictus 2nd with Atreus I third. The rest (that matters to me) would be Marriage II, Atreus II, Age of Consent, then Visions.

the early stuff isnt bad, but not a patch on the later albums.

Yeah - I recently spent enough time with the early stuff to realize it just didn't have the staying power or maturity level of the later works. Even Age of Consent (with the notable exceptions of Lion in Winter and Cry for Pompeii) was barely average until it was reworked 10 years later.