When it comes to this album, it is no underestimation to say that it has it all; this is my favourite album with my favourite band.
The
Invictus concept is quite profound and features different characters and dialogues, the battle between man and gods being the turning point, the lyrics are extremely well written, intriguing and creative.
Stripped down this album is very much about conquering the problems you face in life in a honourable, just and victorious way. Emotions as love, sorrow, anger, strength and hope are presented in expressive and moving passages, the album is highly relatable and there also lies one of its biggest strengths, I have countless times gained a lot of strength through these creations.
Virgin Steele has always had their own special style of Heavy Metal, very bombastic, symphonic, dramatic and all embracing in a special magical way. I'll try a small guide for the album.
The Blood Of Vengeance sets a creeping and dark shrouded opening stage before
Invictus hits with tons of aggressiveness and David's high pitch voice roaming in the distance, a warning of the insanity to come. I simply love the detailed bass performance and overall the high amount of different passages just fit in so well, this song is a spectacular outcry of pure and unbound willpower.
The first 33 seconds of
Mind, Body, Spirit is some of the most intense and dramatic I have every heard, those guitar riffs simply rip through even the most divine forged steel, just to use a fitting metaphor :)
The mind-blowing break towards the end where the nature of the whole song gets turned upside down is one of those that sends shivers down my spine, the atmospheric keys, mellow acoustic guitar rhythms and David's out of this world vocals are beyond words.
In The Arms Of The Death God is a very symphonic and dynamic intro for
Through Blood And Fire, an ultra solid and driving creation given a catchy chorus that just sticks to your head immediately.
From the very start
Swords Of The Gods opens its massive gate of mystic epicenes and tense atmospheres, this is truly bombast of the highest calibre. Technical bass and ingenious keyboard moods give this song a unique and captivating feeling.
How much magic can be produced in 1:19 minute? Well a lot if you use
Gods Of Our Sorrow as an example. The fantastic piano melody and the heartfelt vocals makes it seem like the world stopped turning for just a while, and when the organ-like keyboard makes its entrance as a gentle supporting role I'm left in pure amazement, it's just so moving.
David's
special vocal approach in the short
Vow Of Honour shows just how talented he is, again an impressive and very fitting bombastic intro.
Defiance opens with a massive guitar lead section and the jamming but very heavy riff works brilliantly through the whole track.
Dust From The Burning offers a more straight-ahead path of hard-hitting Metal excitement. A raw chorus line followed by operatic greatness gives way for at divine mixture of hard and soft aspects.
The intriguing guitar solo is an important piece of this intense and compact package.
Amaranth is another of those short interludes, filled by a mellow and reassuring mood.
A Whisper Of Death is one of those songs you never feel you finished exploring, it has an inventive structure and plenty of layers to keep you focused, just trying to follow suit with the amazing and variable drum delivery is a task of its own.
The slow symphonic mid-section is a spell-binding jam session that makes completely sense and really shows how complex and yet melodic this band can be at the same time.
Dominion Day puts out a hard and groovy rhythm section, the bright and extremely vivid guitar solo is one of Edward's best, he throws in a totally brilliant and unique guitar job in this one.
This is not the most mind-blowing track of the record but it fits in well and has a certain grand atmosphere to it, especially the profound vocals are awesome.
It's not only that
A Shadow Of Fear is highly dramatic, it's the ingenious way it succeeds in being so. A fantastic refrain, genius solo, captivating vocal harmonies, powerful drums, complex bass play, amazing keyboard moods and a emotional ending passages that ones again makes the hair on my arms rise.
'Theme' from 'The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell' is that well known hymn-like melody brought forth with great bombast to give the right start to the ending 10-minute epic
Veni, Vidi, Vici.
This one is without any doubt on the list of "best songs ever", its just so overly well structured and completely breathtaking.
The huge chorus not only makes you realise that this album is about finding strength to conquer all the crap we face in life, it makes you feel it and that's the true essence of Virgin Steele, you don't listen to their music, you feel it from the inner core of your mind, body and spirit.
Production-wise everything is top notch, a brilliant rich fundament and a very powerful sound for some very powerful music.
You get sucked right into this album without willing it or not, and before long you feel that you have reached another dimension of mental consciousness.
My way of life and the most inner thoughts and feelings I have flows into a beautiful connection with this album.
Written by
Tommy Monday, August 16, 2004
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 10/10Members: 9.87/10 - Average of 4 ratings.
Member ratings
 | Steen (Staff)
Rating: 10/10
My favourite Virgin Steele album. It has everything! All the songs are fantastic and fille... · Read more · |
 | Sandra
Rating: 10/10
Invictus - What a unique album with a great concept. The album starts out with an epic and... · Read more · |
 | YNGWIEVIKING
Rating: 9.5/10
I love each and every VIRGIN STEELE album !
But this one is my Favorite ,i just delete 0,... · Read more · |
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