Description

Check the exclusive video of the LP for sale!

Check the exclusive video of the LP for sale!

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Video review 1:

:Video review 1

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Video review 2:

: Video review 2

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 Video review 3  (detailed 7 minute retrospective on the band’s formation leading to the 1st lp)

: Video review 3 (detailed 7 minute retrospective on the band’s formation leading to the 1st lp)

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Virgin Steele is the eponymous debut album by New York Heavy metal group Virgin Steele, released in 1982 via Music for Nations (their first EVER release!!!)
Very much a diamond nonetheless, one hears a lot of potential on the band first recordings, all of which are heavily influenced by Judas Priest ’70s work. Priest, however, isn’t the only influence; there are also hints of Deep Purple and Rainbow, and Virgin Steele original lineup (which consisted of David Defeis on lead vocals and keyboards, Jack Starr on guitar, Joe Reilly on bass, and Joey Ayvazian on drums) didn’t escape the influence of progressive rock. Some of the writing, in fact, brings to mind Canadian prog-rockers Rush. What does Virgin Steele first album have in common with progressive rock? For one thing, an appreciation of European classical music. Virgin Steele debut is harder and heavier than most progressive rock, and yet, the headbangers share Rush love of music that is driving yet intricate and involved. Unfortunately, this album is out of print for a long time. The Music for Nations label only pressed 5,000 copies of the original LP, and the album became increasingly difficult to find after it went out of print. If you’re a serious collector, these under-produced recordings definitely have historic value.

David DeFeis fronted one of the most exciting bands on America’s East Coast in the shape of Virgin Steele. London-based Label Music For Nations, whose mission seemed not to be to put out any old crap, but rather to trawl the world in the quest for classic metal for the masses was an absolute Godsend. Virgin Steele was their first full-length release, and, looking back now, you can see why MFN thought it was worth a punt.

Defeis is in fine form, content for guitarist Jack Starr to take most of the load – the florid keyboard orchestration you’ll be familiar with from later albums is largely absent here – and take it he does. His raw guitar sound is a delight, and his neo-classical yet bluesy technique (is such a thing even possible?) shines through on killer tracks like Danger Zone and American Girl. Bassist Joe O’Reilly also shines, putting in a great performance in the engine room with drummer Joey Ayvazian throughout and occasionally taking the spotlight himself with some nice playing.

If you like traditional hard rock with metallic guitar playing in the vein of pre-speed metal Riot or early Savatage you could do worse than score yourself a copy of this. A mint copy of the original MFN version can set you back around the twenty quid mark

“”Minuet in G Minor/Danger Zone”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 4:29
“”American Girl”” (Starr) – 2:51
“”Dead End Kids”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 3:25
“”Drive On Thru”” (Starr) – 3:11
“”Still In Love With You”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 6:17
“”Children of the Storm”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 6:26
“”Pictures On You”” (DeFeis/Starr/O’Reilly/Ayvazian) – 3:29
“”Pulverizer”” (Starr) – 2:10
“”Living In Sin”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 3:49
“”Virgin Steele”” (DeFeis/Starr) – 4:39

David DeFeis – All vocals, keyboards
Jack Starr – all guitars
Joe O’Reilly – Electric Bass Guitar
Joey Ayvazian – Percussion

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VIRGIN STEELE: Guardians of the Flame LP 1983 Music for Nations. Check the “A Cry in the Night” audio + video presentation of the album. Epic Metal.

VIRGIN STEELE: A Cry in the night 12″ Check the exclusive video of the 12″ for sale! KILLER Epic Metal 3 songs + and a lengthy interview. RARE 1983. Check audio.