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| Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - Virgin Steele Confirm Noble Savage Reissue Details | SPV/Steamhammer will re-release Virgin Steele's third album, "Noble Savage", on April 18 in Europe and May 17 in North America. This re-release comes with 19 bonus tracks, 12 of them previously unreleased. And since 1986, it will be available for the first time again on vinyl.
Commented Virgin Steele frontman David DeFeis, "'Noble Savage' is an extremely important album in the history of Virgin Steele . It was a major accomplishment for us at the time that it was recorded, and an immensely satisfying recording that I feel still holds up quite well today. It was the most focused, most well recorded, written and performed album we had done up to that point in our career. For me it is really our first album."
This is also the first album where the current musical style of the band can be said to be found fully manifested, containing grandiose compositions with a multilayered keyboard sound and more sophisticated arrangements than heard before on previous albums.
"Noble Savage" has become one of the most popular Virgin Steele albums and it includes the songs "We Rule the Night" and "Noble Savage", which the band still plays in concert.
"Noble Savage" track listing:
Double digipak, including new booklet with rare photos and new liner notes by David DeFeis
CD 1
01. We Rule The Night
02. I'm On Fire
03. Thy Kingdom Come
04. Image Of A Faun At Twilight (instrumental)
05. Noble Savage
06. Fight Tooth And Nail
07. The Evil In her Eyes
08. Rock Me
09. Don't Close Your Eyes
10. The Angel Of Light
11. Obession (It Burns For You) (bonus track)
12. Love and Death (bonus track)
13. Where Are You Running To (bonus track)
14. Come On And Love Me (bonus track)
15. The Spirit Of Steele (bonus track)
16. The Pyre of Kings (instrumental) (bonus track)
CD 2 - Extra Noble Ingredients
01. To The Devil A Daughter (previously unreleased)
02. God Of Violence Kill (previously unreleased)
03. Viking (previously unreleased)
04. Ase's Death (instrumental) (previously unreleased)
05. Bitches From Hell (previously unreleased)
06. Fight Tooth And Nail (Roman Sword Re-Mix) (bonus track)
07. Tales From The Hammer (previously unreleased)
08. We Rule The Night (live pre-production rehearsal) (previously unreleased)
09. I'm On Fire (live pre-production rehearsal) (previously unreleased)
10. Fight Tooth And Nail (live pre-production rehearsal) (previously unreleased)
11. Rock Me (live pre-production rehearsal) (previously unreleased)
12. We Rule The Night (Bigger gongs&Bombs early rough mix version) (previously unreleased)
13. Noble Savage (Flanging To Eternity early rough mix version) (previously unreleased)
Double Gatefold LP in yellow vinyl
Side A
01. We Rule The Night
02. I'm On Fire
03. Thy Kingdom Come
04. Image Of A Faun At Twilight (instrumental)
05. Noble Savage
Side B
01. Fight Tooth And Nail
02. The Evil In her Eyes
03. Rock Me
04. Don't Close Your Eyes
05. The Angel Of Light
Side C
01. Obession (It Burns For You) (bonus track)
02. Love And Death (bonus track)
03. Where Are You Running To (bonus track)
04. Come On And Love Me (bonus track)
05. The Spirit Of Steele (bonus track)
06. The Pyre of Kings (instrumental) (bonus track)
Side D
01. To The Devil A Daughter (previously unreleased)
02. God Of Violence Kill (previously unreleased)
03. Viking (previously unreleased)
04. Ase's Death (instrumental) (previously unreleased)
05. Bitches From Hell (previously unreleased)
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| Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - New Virgin Steele Album Details Revealed | Virgin Steele will release their new album, "The Black Light Bacchanalia" on the following dates:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: October 22
Rest of Europe: October 25
USA, Canada: November 9
The effort will be made available as limited-edition digipak, standard CD, double gatefold vinyl and as a digital download.
Songtitles set to appear on the CD include:
By The Hammer Of Zeus
Pagan Heart
The Bread Of Wickedness
The Orpheus Taboo
In A Dream Of Fire
Nepenthe
Necropolis (He Answers Them With Death
To Crown Them With Halos Parts 1 & 2
The Tortures Of The Damned
The Black Light Bacchanalia (The Age That Is To Come)
Eternal Regret
Commented vocalist David DeFeis:
"It will be a long album... close to 80 minutes. The album (to be really brief) concerns the reversal of all things. Once conquered by invading cultures, older Pagan deities become the demons from the new religion. The Black Light Bacchanalia is a reversal of the sacred sexual customs, and the final desecration of the 'Goddess Principle,' switching from matrilineal descent to patrilineal descent, with the rise of the idea of the Mountain-Fire God.... And it also has to do with ancient fears such as the fear of the sun not rising...Lyrically it is a kind of continuation of the story I told on the last album...Musically it is quite something else..."
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| Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - Virgin Steele Signs With SPV/Steamhammer | SPV/Steamhammer has announced the signing of U.S. metallers Virgin Steele.The worldwide deal includes the release of a new studio album, which is due by the end of October 2010, and the reissue of the band's entire back catalogue - from "Noble Savage" onwards. The back catalogue will be made available throughout 2011, with faithfully restored covers and booklets, bonus tracks and liner notes.
Commented Olly Hahn, A&R at Steamhammer: "It's an honour for me and the label that David DeFeis (vocals) decided to make his march to the Olympus with us. The band deserve to stay on top of the metal genre and we are more than willing to pave the way together with the band!"
DeFeis added: "We are honoured & proud to announce that we have just signed a new recording contract with the Hannover, Germany-based label Steamhammer/SPV Records. The incredible dedication and commitment to our genre and the understanding of what Virgin Steele is really all about convinced us that this was the true home for the band. In a way, we have actually come full circle, because when 'Noble Savage' came out, it was in fact released on Steamhammer/SPV, so it is a kind of homecoming for us. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with SPV, and in fact we are planning on issuing the new album this coming autumn.
BY THE GODS... there is a ton of work to do!"
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| Sunday, October 5, 2008 - Virgin Steele Reissue news | News from Virgin Steele:
On October 31st. Halloween. Virgin Steele will be Re- Releasing their albums Life Among The Ruins, The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell "Part I", And The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell "Part II". These discs will be issued in Europe through the German label Dockyard 1. All three albums will contain bonus tracks and new booklets and liner notes.
As bonus tracks on "The Marriage Part 2" album, the group has included two live performances recorded in Germany, and on "Life Among The Ruins ", they have included several live acoustic tracks that were recorded in the living room of David 's house during rehearsals. As regards these live acoustic rehearsal tapes David DeFeis had this to say, " Upon listening back to those recordings, we felt that we had achieved a really interesting mood. the performances are really raw, honest and direct. We did not add any multi - track overdubs or any additions whatsoever, they are just the stereo recordings presented live and unvarnished as we played them. In this age of high technology we felt that it was nice to do something really raw and low- tech. The songs work well in this stripped down format, and the feeling in the room was incredible. At some point we may actually release an entire disc of these various live onstage performances and rehearsals we have in our archives. As regards the full band live tracks...it is the same... no overdubs or enhancements. The tracks were recorded with just a simple stereo cassette playe, not a multi - track high- end machine".
In addition to the above, the re- issue s of the album s NOBLE SAVAGE and AGE OF CONSENT will at last be released in the USA on October 21st and November 4th respectively through Locomotive Records.
A brand new VIRGIN STEELE album will appear early in the New Year. Stay tuned to us here for more information and the full track listings.
Many Cheers and a Royal THANKS to you All!
VS HOME OFFICE
Mark Gorman
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| Monday, April 28, 2008 - Virgin Steele Sign To Dockyard 1 | Virgin Steele have inked a deal with Dockyard 1, the label that collaborated with the band on re-releases of Age Of Consent and Noble Savage.
"This took quite awhile to conclude, as it was a difficult decision to make in regards to who to sign with, as we were offered several very good agreements from various labels, but in the end we decided to go with Dockyard 1, as we have a very long history with several of the key members of the team there and have always enjoyed working with them", said David DeFeis, the Virgin Steele's vocalist.
A brand new album is expected for about January 2009. DeFeis claims: "If all goes well we should be able to issue a new album sometime between January and March."
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| Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Virgin Steele re-issue news | Virgin Steele will release re-issues of Noble Savage and Age Of Consent the first week in February 2008. Along with new booklets and photos, both albums have been re-mastered with bonus tracks.
Age Of Consent will feature previously unreleased tracks "The Curse", and a cover of the Judas Priest classic "Screaming For Vengeance". According to VS vocalist / keyboardist David DeFeis, ""The Curse" is something from quite awhile back that we never did anything with. It has a very out of control quality, and is meant to sound deranged and manic. The "Screaming" track was recorded as if Led Zeppelin had walked into a rowdy, bluesy bar and just stepped up onstage for an impromptu jam. It is also out of control, wild and frenzied, and is different from the Priest version. We have changed it 'round a bit".
Bonus tracks on Noble Savage are "Fight Tooth & Nail (Roman Sword Re-mix)" and an alternate version of the title track.
An Internet-only EP featuring more rare tracks is in the works and will be available shortly after the re-issues release. In other recording news, DeFeis, guitarist Edward Pursino, bassist Josh Block and drummer Frank Gilchriest are currently deeply involved in completing what will become the next full length VIRGIN STEELE album of all new music.
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| Friday, November 30, 2007 - Virgin Steele - Re-releases and guest appearance | DOCKYARD 1 will be re-releasing the classic VIRGIN STEELE albums Noble Savage and Age Of Consent. Both albums will be re-mastered, and feature previously unreleased Bonus Tracks, and new full color booklets with new photos and commentary/liner notes. Said David DeFeis, "The purpose of these re-issues, is not necessarily to have the Fans who already purchased them buy them again, but attempt to reach out to those who have not yet heard of Virgin Steele. I am happy to once again be working with Dirk Putzke and Christine Stephan. I have known them for a long time now, and our association has always yielded exciting, positive results, and been absolutely great! I look forward to a very Magickal year ahead with them."
When we asked DOCKYARD 1 why they decided to sign & release those two albums, Dirk Putzke, had this to say, "the reasoning behind DOCKYARD 1's signing, is quite simply to keep these masterpieces and milestones of True BARBARIC-ROMANTIC Music alive in print and have them available for new Fans, as well as those long time members of the VIRGIN STEELE audience".
For those of you who already possess these Works, fear not. the Bonus tracks will be available separately as downloads. The release date is set for February 1st in Germany, and February 4th in all other European territories. Stay tuned to this site for further details.
Session work news:
Lately there has been a flurry of activity. David has recently completed work for a track on the forthcoming Ep from the female fronted Polish Power Metal Band CRYSTAL VIPER. CRYSTAL VIPER recorded a cover of David's song, BLOOD & GASOLINE (from the MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL PART 1 CD), and asked him if he would be interested in contributing vocals to it. David not only added vocals, (including miles of harmonies), but also played keyboards and mixed and mastered the track. And.he also enlisted Josh Block to play some mammoth 7 string guitar on it as well. The CRYSTAL VIPER Ep featuring the cover of BLOOD & GASOLINE, will be available shortly on Karthago Records.
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| Thursday, December 7, 2006 - Virgin Steele live news | Virgin Steele vocalist David DeFeis and guitarist Edward Pursino will perform two very special acoustic shows in Italy for Flash magazine in April 2007. The details are as follows:
Apr. 27 - Thunder Road Club - Lake Cdovedilla (Pavia), ITA
Apr. 28 - Siddharta Club - Prato (Florence), ITA
There will be a meet-and-greet at both events, and plenty of time to relax and drink wine with the boys. More European dates are in the works for the coming months, with the group expected to do full "electric" shows, as well as a few more acoustic performances. The band also hopes to be able to announce a New York area date within the next few days.
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| Sunday, July 2, 2006 - Virgin Steele news | The eleventh Album of Virgin Steele entitled " Visions Of Eden - The Lilith Project - A Barbaric Romantic Movie Of The Mind " is going to be released on September 8th 2006. Full tracklisting:
01. Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)
02. Adorned With The Rising Cobra
03. The Inefable Name
04. Black Light On Black
05. Bonedust
06. Angel Of Death
07. God Above God
08. The Hidden God
09. Childslayer
10. When Dusk Fell
11. Visions Of Eden
More information at the officialwebsite.
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| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - Virgin Steele name new album | Latest news from the official Virgin Steele website:
The new Virgin Steele Album is truly on schedule! David is literally one day away from completing all mixing and mastering, and I can now honestly tell you with complete confidence that it will be out in September. The name of the album is to be...VISIONS OF EDEN, and it is quite Epic. It is I believe the Group's longest album to date, clocking in at 79 minutes and 57 seconds. We hope you will enjoy it. More information, track listing etc., will appear in the weeks ahead...
Thanks for all your Faith, Support, Belief and Patience!
BY THE GODS & GODDESSES,
VS HOME OFFICE
Mark Gorman
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| Monday, May 29, 2006 - Virgin Steele album news | From the official Virgin Steele website:
The new Virgin Steele album is almost finished. Mixing commenced several weeks ago, and David is nearly finished with all the tracks. He should have the mixing wrapped up within a week or two, and then he needs a few days more for Mastering. All looks quite promising for an early September release. We will keep you informed.
In related News, David and Edward flew over to Germany last week for a listening session for the new album, with all the key German magazines, and the reaction was extremely positive.
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| Monday, May 23, 2005 - A message from Virgin Steele | Virgin Steele's appearance at the Bang Your Head Festival & Nummirock Festival cancelled:
While undergoing a medical exam to discover the source of a severe, persistent pain, additional serious health issues were discovered that need attention, and it has been suggested by medical authorities that David DeFeis undergo further testing and treatment procedures. Since time is of the essence and these procedures will be ongoing, (several are scheduled for the week of these Festivals), therefore it is with a heavy heart and sincere regret that we must unfortunately announce to you that the Group must bow out of these two engagements. We thank you all for your understanding and patience, and we assure you that the Band will be back onstage with you all once again shortly.
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| Thursday, April 28, 2005 - Virgin Steele news | An update from the official Virgin Steele website:
David DeFeis has finally decided which Songs will be issued on the first CD, from out of the over 60 compositions he has prepared so far. And not only that, but the Group is actually now Officially half way through capturing the first 20 on tape. Sessions are going extraordinarily well, and the Group is hoping for a much sooner...rather than a much later release.
We will keep you informed, as the information comes our way. I have also heard rumors about a "making of" short video documentary that is in the works!
Thanks for your support, belief and patience!
VS HOME OFFICE
Mark Gorman
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| Saturday, May 10, 2003 - Virgin Steele news | According to www.virgin-steele.com, Virgin Steele leader David DeFeis has completed over 40 pieces of Music for the Lillith Project. He has recorded and sent over to the Theatre for the upcoming performances 11 instrumental pieces and 18 songs. The project will debut this summer in Germany with Walter Weyers of the Landestheater Schwaben.
These works, plus all the others not used but already prepared, make enough material for perhaps the next 3 or 4 Virgin Steele albums. Some song titles include: 'When Gods Dream (Raging Lust In Heaven)', 'And In The Red Sea...', 'The Hidden God', 'Adorned With The Rising Cobra', 'In The Prison Of Your Sleep', 'The Ineffable Name', 'Angel Of Death' and 'Childslayer'.
The site comments: "We believe these works to be epic, bombastic and totally full on Metal, sort of like Conan the Barbarian meets Wagner in a dark gothic cave. Several tracks contain a very eerie, dark haunting quality that would be very much at home in a horror movie such as The Omen, The Ninth Gate or The Exorcist.
DeFeis adds: "I don't think of it as a Metal Opera. What it really is, is the soundtrack for a major motion picture that has yet to be made! And by the fucking hammer of Zeus, I will make this film one day. I call this work a Barbaric Romantic movie of the mind."
The premier will be held in Memmingen, Germany on June 24th
In related news, Virgin Steele will be appearing live at The Summer Day In Hell Festival on June 28th and the Agglutination Festival on August 9th in Italy.
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| Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - Virgin Steele update | David DeFeis has posted the following message to the official Virgin Steele web site:
As you know we are recording the music that will be featured onstage at the LandesTheater Schwaben's Premier of "LILITH", this June 24 in Memmingen, Germany. A CD of this Work will not be released prior to the Premier this Summer. "LILITH" is quite a long & involved work, that to complete properly, will take quite a bit of time. The second track alone, is 12 minutes long!
What you will hear if you attend these Theatrical Presentations, will most likely be rawer versions, and excerpts of the full amount of material. If the Theater actually used all the music, the performance would end up being about 3 days long, like in the Days of Wagner! But have no fear...this work will be released when it is ready.
Meanwhile we are also sorting out footage and concert recordings for a live album & a DVD. Most likely more concerts will be recorded before we feel that we are satisfied, but ... again have no fear ... we will release a live album, and in addition there is more music for another studio album or albums as well, which is being worked on. And ... last but not least, we are preparing for several Summer shows. In conclusion...The Future holds much to look forward to.
We Thank You All for your Truly Incredible Belief, Faith & Support!!! You are Eternal...You are the Flame that Never dies!!! We Wish Each And Every One Of You the Very Best!!! Stay Invictus!!!!!!!
BY THE HAMMER OF ZEUS,
David DeFeis
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| Wednesday, January 1, 2003 - Virgin Steele live album and DVD | Great Virgin Steele news. Their special show on the 21. December in Long Island New York featured the setlist below, and a total playing time of 3 hours. There are plans for a live album/DVD.
01. Invictus
02. Life Among The Ruins
03. Voice As Weapon
04. Conjuration Of The Watcher
05. From Chaos To Creation
06. Twilight Of The Gods
07. God Of Our Sorrows
08. Vow Of Honour/Defiance
09. Dust From The Burning
10. A Token Of My Hatred
11. Vox Intro / Crown Of Glory
12. When The Legends Die
13. Thy Kingdom Come-Intro
14. Guitar Solo / Vox Solo Burning Sword!!!
15. Great Sword Of Flame
16. A Symphony Of Steele
17. The Wine Of Violence
18. In Triumph Or Tragedy
19. Return Of The King (complete with Lord Priam's severed head)!!!
20. Flames Of Thy Power
21. Drum Solo
22. (Improvised intro incorporating "Whole Lotta Love") I Will Come For You
23. Kingdom Of The Fearless
ENCORE:
24. A Cry In The Night/Don't Close Your Eyes (Acoustic)
25. "Marriage Theme" Into "Veni Vidi, Vici"
26. Noble Savage
ENCORE #2:
27. The Burning Of Rome (Cry For Pompeii)
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| Saturday, August 31, 2002 - Virgin Steele | Here are the tracklistings for the re-release of the first two Virgin Steele albums.
Virgin Steele: 1
01. A minuet in g minor
02. b) Danger zone
03. American girl
04. Dead end kids
05. Drive ON THRU
06. Lothlorien [bonus track]
Prevously unreleased bonus track from the sessions for vs "I"
07. Still in love with you
08. Children of the storm
09. Pictures on you
10. Pulverizer
11. Living in sin
12. Virgin steele
Bonus tracks
(previously unreleased 4trk demo)
13.The lesson
14.Life of crime
15.Burn the sun
Additional tracks
16. American girl
17. Dead end kids
18. Drive on thru
19. Living in sin
Virgin Steele: Guardians Of The Flame
01. Don't say goodbye (tonight)
02. Burn the sun
03. Life of crime
04. The redeemer
05. Birth through fire (instrumental)
06. Guardians of the flame
07. Metal city
08. Hell or high water
09. Go all the way
10. A cry in the night
Bonus tracks
11. I am the one
12. Go down fighting
13. Wait for the night
14. Interview
15. Blues deluxe oreganata
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Other information
 Band Information
What is your name and your current position in the band?
My name is David DeFeis. I am the vocalist, keyboard player, songwriter and producer of the Group VIRGIN STEELE. The name for the kind of Metal we play is, "Barbaric-Romanticism".
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The group first came into being on October 31st 1981.Halloween Night. We met the way many musicians meet, through an advert in the local music newspaper. My quest for musical knowledge had led me to study formally at a two-year music college, where I met a tall bass player named Joe O'Reilly. He and I began jamming together regularly and thought about putting a band together.
We graduated in June of 1981. A few months afterwards; I came across an advertisement in the local music paper, GOODTIMES, for various musicians seeking a lead singer. The ad mentioned that there was an upcoming tour planned (there WASN'T!) - naturally, I was very intrigued. Upon phoning the number in the ad, I spoke with a guitarist named, Jack. We arranged to meet at a nearby rehearsal studio the next day. I arrived on time, but there was nothing scheduled for us as Jack had forgotten to book the time. Ahhh.musicians! I then suggested that he and the drummer, Joey come back to my house where I had all my gear set up, to afford them the opportunity to hear my singing and keyboard playing.
I played three songs for them, 'NO QUARTER', by LED ZEPPELIN, 'CHILD IN TIME', by DEEP PURPLE and 'CATCH THE RAINBOW', by RAINBOW. They liked what they heard and asked me to join forces with them on the spot. While I was interested, I had yet to hear them play. I suggested that we jam together first, which we did a day or so later. I thought that Jack and Joey were good; the same could not be said of their bass player, so I suggested my friend, Joe O. They agreed that Joe was better than the guy that they were working with, ergo, he was in - their guy was out. And it is from these small beginnings in October of 1981 that VIRGIN STEELE was born.
 After rehearsing for three weeks, we entered the studio to record what would become VIRGIN STEELE ONE. The album was recorded mostly live in the studio, with very few overdubs. The entire thing cost about $ 1,000 dollars and took about a week to record and mix. After 2 albums we had several member changes. Edward Pursino came on board for the guitar position in 1984, Frank Gilchriest filled the drummer's throne in 1994, and Josh Block took over the bass duties in 2000. Many concerts and albums later.here we are once again ready to put out a new album.
Yes of course there have been numerous highlights. Many amazing concerts along the way, classic songs and albums recorded. For me personally the best times are being onstage and seeing that light shine in the eyes of the audience, when the band is in the middle of a great performance. Also when a track comes out exactly as I hear it in my head.that is amazing! NOBLE SAVAGE was the first real major milestone, also THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL albums, INVICTUS, the HOUE OF ATREUS albums, and now VISIONS OF EDEN! Yes there have also been low moments along the way. One of the worst was the period between AGE OF CONSENT & LIFE AMONG THE RUINS. We had to fire our manager, change the bass player twice, and rebuild everything from the ground up. These last 3 years have also been very difficult, with all sorts of personal hassles, people dying.and chaos everywhere, but.I continue.and the Group continues. We will never be beaten down. Everything both good and bad has left its mark on me, and the Group, and made us aware of what we have, who we are and what we want out of Life. Every obstacle that we overcome makes us all the more thankful for all that we have achieved.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
I never really thought about it too far ahead. I was always in the moment, and from day #1 the moment was pretty interesting. I knew I wanted to continue, and I did everything in my power to keep the Group going through thick & thin times. We have always been in it for the MUSIC. That was the only goal, to make the Music become as strong as it could be.
 What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
It is called "VISIONS OF EDEN". The album is filled with well-crafted, well-played Epic Metal Songs. If one cares for such things.it would be an excellent choice for one's collection. The album is filled with a variety of powerful emotions. If you like your Metal with a Barbaric-Romantic flavour, then this album could be for you.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
"BARBARIC-ROMANTIC". We have played various styles of Metal, Symphonic-Power Metal, borderline Thrash, or Doom, Bluesy Metal, straight ahead Hard Rock, but ultimately what we love is this over the top Epic style.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
There have been so many, but off the top of my head, one of the memories that do stand out is coming to Greece for the first time. We had taken the ferry over from Italy, but we could not go directly across, because there was some kind of a dock strike, so we had to go to another landing place, which was much further north. Anyway.we wound up being on the ferry for 18 hours. We arrived in Greece just as the sun was rising, and I stood on deck having my first look at this wondrous land, and the magick that I felt compelled me to shout out."I am in the Home Of The Gods"! It was quite amazing. And then the concert that evening.after another long trip.this time by bus through the mountains exceeded all expectations. The power, energy, and love from the audience was overwhelming.
How is the writing process in the band?
I write the bulk of the material. I also sometimes compose together with the guitarist. After the music is written it is then presented to the Group. I work out all the arrangements with an acoustic piano, my voice and a very inexpensive cassette recorder. I play and sing into this tape machine, and try out various ways of approaching a song. First it must sounds good on the tape in that stripped down form. If it does, then I will go into the studio.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I grew up in a house where I was exposed to Rock music, Opera, Classical music and the Theater/Drama. I fully absorbed all of those elements, and distilled them into the style of my Life, and the music I make today. Growing up in that environment.well there really is no other way that I could have turned out. If I did not make music for a living, I might have been an English teacher, a piano teacher, a factory worker, or a mental patient.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Growing up I was influenced by LED ZEPPELIN & QUEEN mainly. I wanted to be able to compose like Freddie Mercury. I loved all those big mammoth tracks like THE MARCH OF THE BLACK QUEEN and OGRE BATTLE. The guitar work of Jimmy Page had a direct effect on my singing. I wanted to sing like his guitar solos sounded. I wanted to be a human guitar. I use my voice in a rather instrumental way. I am not just singing words; I sing like I am on an extended guitar solo and I am also very percussive in my approach.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Sure.but I probably would not change anything, because I am glad to be where I am today. You have to learn from your mistakes. I don't regret recording any of the albums. Some tracks could have been done better of course, but I do not regret doing them.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
No not really. I like them all for different reasons. Some tracks are of course more taxing to perform than others, but I enjoy the challenge of them all.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Extremely important. I do have something to say lyrically as well as musically, and I am not afraid to say it. I like words, and the drama and power of poetical language. I do not dumb my lyrics down, or succumb to the lowest common denominator. I write the way I speak, think, am.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
It is in a shambles!
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Kill all pirates! Or lower the price of an album. It does not need to cost $22.00 for a CD! My feeling is that if a person could buy the album with all the artwork, lyrics, good sound, etc. at a decent price, then why would they want a burned mp3 copy?
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Of course. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Be impervious and never die.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I don't have typical days. My life is all about trying to maintain balance amidst chaos.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Women, & drinking wine, reading, catching the occasional decent film.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
We actually got paid!
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
I am??? What for??? Well if you insist: QUEEN 2, LED ZEPPELIN 2, and the Debussy Preludes.Films.. EXCALIBUR, HORROR HOTEL, and the first HIGHLANDER.Books.. Flowers Of Evil-Baudelaire, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, and The Iliad by Homer.
What is your favourite joke?
None. I have no sense of humour.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
Yes we are currently planning a tour of Europe. In addition we want to issue a live album next year, plus a DVD that will be from the Historical perspective.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
I thank you very much for listening to VIRGIN STEELE. I thank you sincerely for all of your Faith, Honour, Belief and Support! Keep well and remain.Invictus! See you on tour.BY THE BLACK SUN & MOON,
David DeFeis
Added by Steen - 8/16/2006
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Stuart (Staff) - Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 
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Comments: 116 | | I never get bored reading interviews with Mr DeFeis, always interesting and entertaining.
Posted by Stuart (Staff)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 |
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