Virgin Steele - The House Of Atreus Act II


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Noise Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 89:14:00

David DeFeis is at it again, and this time with a full blown 2 CD set. I'll admit that it is an ambitious project he has headed into, but somehow he seems to succeed at everything he does.

When it comes to the music, there is not much new, this is still well orchestrated, symphonic and pompous power metal. There are interludes and instrumental pieces, like we are used to, and overall the songs are just as good as on The House Of Atreus Act I. Vocally, DeFeis improves for each CD. Although not all songs are of the same high quality and some tend to sound the same, I am impressed by the creativity of main man DeFeis. Overall this is a great CD.

The production is OK, but can always get better. This is a must for all powermetal and Virgin Steele fans.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Disc One: Wings Of Vengeance (5:12) / Hymn To The Gods Of Night (0:46) / Fire Of Ecstasy (5:16) / The Oracle Of Apollo (1:34) / The Voice As A Weapon (4:40) / Moira (2:22) / Nemesis (3:28) / The Wine Of Violence (5:38) / A Token Of My Hatred (8:22) / Summoning The Powers (7:59)

Disc Two: Flames Of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise) (5:37) / Arms Of Mercury (4:49) / The By The Gods Suite (13-17): By The Gods (4:04) / Areopagos (0:27) / The Judgement Of The Son (1:56) / Hammer The Winds (1:31) / Guilt Or Innocence (1:08) / Legends Suite (18-20): The Fields Of Asphodel (1:16) / When The Legends Die (5:59) / Anemone (Withered Hopes ... Forsaken) (0:55) / The Waters Of Acheron (1:14) / Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor (The Death Of Orestes) (4:21) / Resurrection Day (The Finale) (10:28)

Musicians:
David DeFeis - all vocals, keyboards, orchestration, keyboard bass/guitar, swords & effects
Edward Pursino - all electric guitars & bass guitars
Frank Gilchriest - drums

Discography:
Virgin Steele (1983)
Guardians Of The Flame (1983)
Noble Savage (1986)
Age Of Consent (1989)
Life Among The Ruins (1994)
The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell: Part I (1995)
The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell: Part II (1996)
Invictus (1998)
The House Of Atreus: Act I (1999)
Magick Fire Music (EP) (2000)
The House Of Atreus: Act II (2000)
Hymns To Victory (2002)
The Book Of Burning (2002)
Visions Of Eden (2006)

Genre: Traditional Metal

Origin US

Added: March 29th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.virgin-steele.com
Hits: 2542
Language: english

  

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