Virgin Steele

[Mort Divine]

Barring Slough Feg and Agalloch, easily my favorite metal band to come from the US.

While they released a bunch of completely forgettable albums in the 80s and one in the early 90s, once they released the first of the Marriage of Heaven and Hell albums they hit a streak in which they've released nothing but good albums.

And it is continuing to this day, six albums in a row of epic power metal the way it should be done.

The House of Atreus Act I is probably my favorite power metal album (with the exception of Traveller of course.)

 

[Crimson Velvet]

Do not underestimate Age of Consent. It has some bloopers, but tracks such as "The Burning of Rome (Cry for Pompeii", "Lion in Winter" and "Perfect mansions" (a bonus track, I think) are easily amongst their best songs. But yes, absolutely tremendous band.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

Yeah, although hit or miss, the 80's stuff could be pretty good. They became incredible 94 and on though, totally agreed. Grandiose with a sense of class that no other Power Metal bands have ever had, all due to the classical piano background of DeFeis and Edward Pursino's guitar work.

 

[Vilden]

Yeah Virgin Steele rules. I need to get more albums by them. I agree with Jean-Pierre though, the 80's stuff isn't bad at all imo, but yeah Marriage I&II, Invictus and House I are their best easily.

 

[rms]

I didnt care for them on album and live they were better but a lot of sound troubles.

 

[Mort Divine]

The Burning of Rome (Cry for Pompeii) is probably my favorite song of theirs, I will have to check out the albums prior to their current 6 album run of badassery in their entirety.

 

[supseudonymous]

From http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103226:

VIRGIN STEELE frontman David DeFeis is busy working on the reissues of "The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Part I" (1994) and "…Part II" (1995) — two highly acclaimed and respected albums that are considered to be among the genre's all-time best. Also due to be re-released on October 10, 2008 is VIRGIN STEELE's 1992 LP "Life Among the Ruins". This album hosts the most commercial tunes in the career of Virgin Steele with outstanding hits like the anthemic '80s rocker "Love Is Pain", the tender ballad "Last Rose of Summer" and "I Dress in Black", which was said to be "especially successful" in Germany and Japan. To make these classics even more valuable, David is currently remastering them at The Hammer Of Zeus studios alongside Ed Warrin and is reworking the artwork. As-yet-undisclosed bonus songs will also appear on each CD.

 

[Einherjar86]

It's about time someone made a thread about this band.

Barring Slough Feg and Agalloch, easily my favorite metal band to come from the US.

While they released a bunch of completely forgettable albums in the 80s and one in the early 90s, once they released the first of the Marriage of Heaven and Hell albums they hit a streak in which they've released nothing but good albums.

And it is continuing to this day, six albums in a row of epic power metal the way it should be done.

The House of Atreus Act I is probably my favorite power metal album (with the exception of Traveller of course.)

The Marriage albums, the Atreus albums, and their newest record are all incredible.

Do not underestimate Age of Consent. It has some bloopers, but tracks such as "The Burning of Rome (Cry for Pompeii", "Lion in Winter" and "Perfect mansions" (a bonus track, I think) are easily amongst their best songs. But yes, absolutely tremendous band.

Age of Consent really does have some awesome songs. The ones you mentioned are the best. Perfect Mansions (Mountains of the Sun) is one of the most epic songs they do.

 

[bosomblob]

Bought both House of Atreus CDs with high expectations, but they sounded a little too...simple. Too much orchestral filler, as well. Not bad, and I can see what people like about 'em, but it wasn't for me.