Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke Virgin Steele’s leader David DeFeis about the bands new album ‘The Passion of Dionysus’ which will be released via SPV/Steamhammer on June 30, 2023. Watch the interview below.
Excerpts from the interview
When asked about the concept of the new album ‘The Passion of Dionysus’
“Dionysus is a character that I’ve always enjoyed for a long time since as far as I can remember. He comes with the wine, he brings relief from trouble but he also has a dangerous element. Too much of the wine and you can become murderous and humanity goes out the window. So it deals with this duality, this dual nature. It also deals with mainly the idea of freedom and restraint and is there room in our society for the letting go aspects of our nature, the wild side. You know one of the names of Dionysus is the God of letting go. So I’m a firm believer that with great freedom comes great responsibility. So the record deals with these sorts of issues.”
When asked about writing new music in general
“I write even when there is no reason to write. While I was writing the Dionysus record I was also writing the next record after that.”
When asked about the musical direction of the new album
“I would say it’s a barbaric romantic epic style record in the tradition of Records like ‘House of Atreus’, ‘Invictus’ and such but with another string to the bow added. I think it’s maybe the most violent record we’ve done both lyrically, musically, conceptually and definitely vocally. I always approach each record like it’s gonna be like the last song I’m ever gonna sing. I really throw caution to the wind and no have no regard for Life, limb or functioning the next day. I just wanted to just really nail something that made Dionysus come alive and make the story breathe and show his passion, his frustration, his anger ,his love, his hate and his everything.”
When asked about upcoming show dates
“We’re looking at the dates for Greece, Germany and Spain and it looks like Italy in November. In terms of USA and Canada, plans are a foot there’s nothing I can say yet but I am building towards that. I’m speaking and we’re negotiating and trying to make it all work. there’s a lot of logistics.”
As usual, David DeFeis has chosen a downright epic theme that delves deep into the annals of human history, while maintaining a concrete reference to the present:
The Passion Of Dionysus Track List:
1. The Gethsemane Effect 07:08
2. You’ll Never See The Sun Again 09:20
3. A Song Of Possession 5:51
4. The Ritual Of Descent 12:41
5. Spiritual Warfare 7:50
6. Black Earth & Blood 2:24
7. The Passion Of Dionysus 8:09
8. To Bind & Kill A God 8:18
9. Unio Mystica 9:15 1
0. I Will Fear No Man For I Am A God 8:46
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