This is definitely a very different and more rocking
Virgin Steele than ever before, or after for that matter. I find it quite refreshing to listen to my favourite band try out something new, not revolutionary new, but still rather inventive, keeping the roots intact.
I must say that it took me a long time to get into the album, this can seem strange because the songs are rather direct and simple at times, but again they hide small but important details.
The album is not a concept, but the overall theme is love, in it's different shades. A mix between feeling amazingly well and hopeful and being way down and out seem to interact in a successful way, the lyrics being of high quality as always, even though they aren't the most profound and challenging ones David DeFeis has written.
The groove monster
Sex Religion Machine starts things off and it is quickly noticed that this is not quite the
Virgin Steele we thought we knew. The hard rocking element is found in a simpler riff/chorus based track that nevertheless has plenty of energy and David's vivid vocals. Detailed drums and a great tight bass also take up lots of room.
This next song is totally beyond words, one of my all time favourite pieces. Just listening to the spellbinding beginning gets me every time, a perfect blend of a catchy guitar riff, heartfelt vocals and a beautiful underlying piano.
Love is Pain just breathes emotion and the fantastic lyric about broken love gets to its full potential when the captivating chorus sets in.
Invitation has the classic atmospheric
Virgin Steele key/piano arrangements and functions well as a mellow breather before
I Dress In Black takes over. A slow rocking track with a striking chorus and supporting keys.
Cage Of Angels is a short sedative keyboard piece that works as a suiting preface for the slow emotion-filled ballad
Never Believed In Good-Bye, being one zenith point of the album. The chorus line is of the kind that goes straight in the first time, one that you suddenly catch yourself humming along to. Solid drums and a creative bass make a profound base for David to unfold his majestic voice.
Too Hot To Handle has a brilliant and melodic up-light refrain and Edward's solo is immensely inspirational and sparkling with a wild unleashed fire.
Love's Gone is based on a pretty heavy guitar riff, the soft verse passages balancing things out nicely, again the solo is fast and "in the flesh". Overall a good song that could have gained by more variation.
With the atmospheric
Wild Fire Woman we are treated with another fantastic ballad, the catchy chorus is once again super memorable and David's soft vocals sound phenomenal. Relaxing acoustic guitars and moody keys gives it a rich base.
The instrumental
Haunting The Last Hours is a short and symphonic passage that fits in rather well.
Last Rose Of Summer end things off with a special sounding acoustic guitar/piano track. David's voice is high pitched most of the time, which gives it a unique soft touch, the piano melody being kind of hypnotic. It could have had a breaking middle section but overall this a rather successful cut.
A song like
Jet Black is also quite good. The chorus just doesn't capture me like on so many other occasions with this record; it gets a bit too simple. The drive and power of the rhythm section is still intact though.
Crown Of Thorns isn't the most exciting song either, I love the grooving bass and solid guitar solo but I miss some indefinable element of "wow that just works well", still all songs on this one are good.
If you are wondering why I haven't mentioned the divine
Cry Forever, it is because it originates on their previous album Age Of Consent, but also found here (the record company really liked it!). In all fairness it can only be included in the rating of one album, the original one.
I can't help but thinking that the main formula of a central riff and chorus is both the albums strength (because it generally works out), but it is also a minor restriction (it inflicts some natural limitations on the arrangements). Still I think it's a great release and a couple of these songs gets right up there with the best ever from VS.
The production is kept pretty simple which matches the music well. Overall it has a dynamic, energetic and crisp quality.
Musically the guys know their stuff and every aspect is solid and well played, David's voice having a special intense feel to it and fit the direction of the music splendidly.
A daring, refreshing, emotional and melodic release.
Written by
Tommy Thursday, July 15, 2004
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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