David DeFeis

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VIRGIN STEELE’s David DeFeis Talks Anniversary Album Remixes & Upcoming New Studio Albums

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 26, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice recently spoke to Virgin Steele‘s main man David DeFeis about the bands upcoming remixed anniversary albums (Debut and Guardians of the flame).

Hot on the heels of last summer’s brand new Bombastic Epic release “THE PASSION OF DIONYSUS” coming this summer in addition to the re-release of the very first VIRGIN STEELE album, the second VIRGN STEELE album, “GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME”, will also be re-released in tandem with the first album, on August 23, 2024, via Steamhammer/SPV in a very special edition, as a digi-CD and as a Gatefold Double Vinyl LP, and also in digital format.

When asked about the upcoming remixed anniversary albums (Debut and Guardians of the Flame)
“It was done the old school way of taking the actual physical tapes and putting them in the convection oven and baking them. It worked pretty well they actually held up pretty darn well, more so the second album than the first album. They’re definitely clearer. My goal was to preserve the fire, the feeling of the Ambiance of those records but make it sonically more understandable to the ear. There are some little keyboard flourishes things in the there not like very high in the mix. “

“I edited along the way because I would have done that had we made the record today knowing what I know, so it’s like well this could benefit from that. But in a way that’s subtle not so over the top. You can still hear Jack (Starr) of course everywhere and that’s what’s important to be heard is all there. I tried to balance it a bit more whereas the original mix was very edgy, very trebly. Kind of like you wouldn’t want to listen to the record more than once in one sitting kind of a thing your ear gets like fatigued after a while. I tried to make it so l you could put the record on all day and and you can enjoy it.”
 

When asked about any upcoming new music and or studio albums?
“Yes, there’s lots of songs. I’m always writing and we’ve actually got probably about 20 somewhat songs in various stages of completion on tape. There are more songs that are just living on cassette because that’s where they start with me. I write on the cassette first and the stuff that’s just in my brain. So yeah all these things will be explored fully before I choose what would be on the next record. The next record probably and all honestly is a double situation like Act one, Act two probably. If we don’t want to release it all together it would be something like the The Marriage of Heaven and Hell was or The house of Atreus was that kind of a thing. Like part one will be released first and then later on. (part 2). I think the way I understand from my conversations with the label it’s they’re more about one disk at a time right now. You never know it might change. There is a conceptual idea but all the lyrics aren’t completely written yet. But at the moment it’s more conceptual in the way that ‘Age of consent’ was or ‘Noble savage’ was, well there’s an overarching theme. “

VIRGIN STEELE’s Leader David DeFeis Says “New Album Is a Barbaric, Romantic, Epic Style Record”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

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

VIRGIN STEELE Release 35th Anniversary Boxset On November 23rd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 20, 2018
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Virgin-Steele_SevenDevilsMoonshine_web

US Metal legends VIRGIN STEELE will release with “Seven Devils Moonshine” a special 5 CD boxset for their 35th anniversary.

Founder and mastermind David DeFeis explains the whole boxset:

“Cheers, Greetings & Salutations Dear Ever Faithful Eternal Metal Listeners and Friends of the Musical Realm & Written Word Domain! I am putting pen to paper today to inform you all about what we have been doing over the past year and what this Box-Set you are now holding in your hands is all about, its backstory…how we arrived here at this place, and perhaps a bit more about where we might be heading.

As some of you may know we have been re-issuing the VIRGIN STEELE Catalogue bit by bit over the past several years, and in doing so we have consistently been adding copious amounts of Bonus Material to accompany all these various re-issue offerings. The last two albums scheduled as part of the re-issue campaign we began, are the albums: THE BOOK OF BURNING & HYMNS TO VICTORY. When those two albums first appeared they were released simultaneously, therefore we thought why not once again issue them at the exact same time, but…this time let’s include a brand new album and create a kind of Box Set package. Well…once we began planning and recording for such an endeavor we very soon accumulated far more material than what could possibly fit on one disc…so…we thought OK fine…we’ll plan on releasing two new discs chock full of new material to go along with these last two re-issues…and…shortly after that decision was made, we managed to record even more new material, so now we have in addition to the two re-issues, (which by the way do contain one bonus track each), well Friends we now have actually three brand new discs of VS material included within this special Box Set release!

I wish to stress the fact that what we have done here with our Box Set is include 3 brand new albums, not bundle in merely a collection of old bonus tracks we had hanging around for ages and ages… These 3 new discs contain either brand new original songs written and recorded within just these past few months, or brand new re-written covers of songs that we enjoy and felt could be re-cast in the VS style, or…new recordings of classic VS material done either in a special orchestral type setting or stripped way down and re-imagined in vastly different form. Again at the risk of repetition…these aren’t tracks that have been sitting around in the vaults waiting…these are all newly recorded tracks completed specifically for this particular Box Set release. I don’t know if anyone has ever done this kind of thing before, but we felt that for us it was absolutely necessary to do this, and it makes perfect sense for where we are…at this moment.

OK Friends with glass in hand as is only proper as proprietor of the Vineyard, I shall be your guide to this Netherworld and I shall discuss and try to reveal a bit of something about the “Spirit” and “Flavor” of each of the 5 Discs contained within this Epic Box Set we call: SEVEN DEVILS MOONSHINE.”

SPV / Steamhammer is proud to release this boxset on November 23rd, 2018 incl 5 CDs (a total of 88 songs) where 3 CDs contain totally new songs and new versions. The package will also include a sticker and a 24 page booklet with new lyrics and photos by David DeFeis.

TRACKLISTINGS:

CD 1 “Ghost Harvest (The Spectral Vintage Sessions)” Vintage 1 – Black Wine For Mourning
(new album)

1. SEVEN DEAD WITHIN
2. GREEN DUSK BLUES
3. PSYCHIC SLAUGHTER
4. BONEDUST (Orchestral Version)
5. HEARTS ON FIRE
6. CHILD OF THE MORNING STAR
7. MURDER IN HIGH-GLOSS RELIEF
8. FERAL
9. JUSTINE
10. PRINCESS AMY
11. WICKED GAME
Clouds Of Oblivion Medley (Tracks 12 & 13)
12. LITTLE WING
13. THE GODS DON’T REMEMBER…

CD 2 “Ghost Harvest (The Spectral Vintage Sessions)” Vintage 2 – Red Wine For Warning
(new album)

1. THE EVIL IN HER EYES (Piano & Vocal Version)
2. FEELIN’ ALRIGHT
3. SISTER MOON
Summertime Darkness Suite (Tracks 4, 5, & 6)
4. SWEATING INTO DAWN
5. SUMMERTIME
6. BLACK LEAVES SWIRL DOWN MY STREET
7. RIP OFF
The Gods Are Hungry Triptych (Tracks 8, 9, & 10)
8. THE GODS ARE HUNGRY POEM
9. THE POISONED WOUND
10. THE BIRTH OF BEAUTY
11. PROFESSION OF VIOLENCE…
12. ROCK STEADY
13. NUTSHELL
14. SLOW & EASY “INTRO”
15. JESUS JUST LEFT CHICAGO
Late Night Barroom Hoodoo Medley (Tracks 16, 17, 18, & 19)
16. SOUL KITCHEN
17.WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER
18. CRAWLING KING SNAKE
19. WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER “Reprise”
20. IMHULLU
The Drained White Suite (Tracks 21, 22, & 23)
21. AFTER DARK
22. WAKE THE DEAD
23. THE GRAVEYARD DANCE
24. THE TRIPLE GODDESS
25.TWILIGHT OF THE GODS (Live Acoustic Rehearsal Version)
26. TRANSFIGURATION (Live Acoustic Rehearsal Version)

CD 3 “Gothic Voodoo Anthems”
(new album)

1. I WILL COME FOR YOU (Orchestral Version)
2. QUEEN OF THE DEAD (Orchestral Version)
3. THE ORPHEUS TABOO (Orchestral Version)
4. KINGDOM OF THE FEARLESS (The Destruction Of Troy) (Orchestral version)
5. THE BLACK LIGHT BACCHANALIA (Orchestral Version)
6. ZEUS ASCENDANT
7. BY THE HAMMER OF ZEUS (And The Wrecking Ball Of Thor) (Orchestral Version)
The Gothic Voodoo Suite (Tracks 8, 9 & 10)
8. RUMANIAN FOLK DANCE No. 3 “PE LOC”
9. DELIRIUM “Excerpt”
10. SNAKESKIN VOODOO MAN (Orchestral Version)
11. THE ENCHANTER
The Fire & Ice Medley (Tracks 12, 13 & 14)
12. BONE CHINA
13. NO QUARTER
14. BONE CHINA “Reprise”
Passion In The French Quarter Medley (Tracks 15 & 16)
15. CHLOE DANCER
16. GENTLE GROOVE
17. DARKNESS-DARKNESS
18. DEATH LETTER BLUES
19. SPOONFUL

CD 4 “Hymns To Victory”
(re-release)

1. FLAMES OF THY POWER (From Blood They Rise)
2. THROUGH THE RING OF FIRE
3. INVICTUS
4. CROWN OF GLORY (UNSCARRED) (In Fury Mix)
5. KINGDOM OF THE FEARLESS (The Destruction Of Troy)
6. THE SPIRIT OF STEELE (Acoustic Version)
7. A SYMPHONY OF STEELE (Battle Mix)
8. THE BURNING OF ROME (Cry For Pompeii)
9. I WILL COME FOR YOU
10. DUST FROM THE BURNING & AMARANTH (Orchestral Versions) – Bonus Tracks
11. NOBLE SAVAGE (Long Lost Early Mix)
12. MISTS OF AVALON
13. EMALAITH

CD 5 “The Book Of Burning”
(re-release)

1. CONJURTION OF THE WATCHER
2. DON’T SAY GOODBYE (TONIGHT)
3. RAIN OF FIRE
4. ANNIHILATION
5. HELLFIRE WOMAN
6. CHILDREN OF THE STORM
7. THE CHOSEN ONES
8. THE SUCCUBUS
9. MINUET IN G MINOR
10. THE REDEEMER
11. I AM THE ONE
12. HOT AND WILD
13. BIRTH THROUGH FIRE
14. GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME
15. THE FINAL DAYS
16. A CRY IN THE NIGHT
17. QUEEN OF THE DEAD (Nordic Twilight Version) – Bonus Track

VIRGIN STEELE Re-Release “Visions Of Eden” in February 2017

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 5, 2016
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

virginsteele_visions-of-eden_web

SPV / Steamhammer is proud to re-release on February 17th, 2017 Virgin Steele´s “Visions Of Eden” as a 2CD digipak.The first disc will contain a remixed version of the entire album and the second disc will contain a remastered presentation of the original version. The package will also include a huge booklet with new liner notes and unseen photos by David DeFeis.

David DeFeis comments on the re-release:

The Barbaric-Romantic power metal band VIRGIN STEELE will re-issue their eleventh studio album VISIONS OF EDEN.  The music from this album first appeared on the Theatrical Stage in what was already the third “Metal-Opera” delivered by David DeFeis to the Landestheatre Scwaben of Memmingen Germany, the first being Klytaimnestra Oder Der Fluch Der Atriden (based on the two VIRGIN STEELE albums THE HOUSE OF ATREUS – ACT I, & THE HOUSE  OF ATREUS ACT II). Due to the success of the first “Opera”, that Work was quickly followed by Die Rebellen, an epic based on THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL & INVICTUS albums. Both of the first 2 “Operas”, Klytaimnestra Oder Der Fluch Der Atriden, & Die Rebellen premiered to huge success in Germany, and were extravagantly staged and taken on tour. In 2003 the VISIONS OF EDEN Work premiered on the theatrical stage as “LILITH” again to great success, with over 50 performances to its credit. While many groups have presented “Metal-Operas’ on record, VIRGIN STEELE is the only group that I know of that has managed to present not just one, but three “Metal-Operas” on the Theatrical Stage! The band even managed to get noticed by the “straight press”, such as Der Speigel and Opera News! In the truest sense VIRGIN STEELE combine classical music and subject matter with true power metal in their own inimitable fashion.

In the Work Visions Of Eden – The Lilith Project – A Barbaric Romantic Movie Of The Mind…contrary to what the title implies, this album promises no fullfillment of the utopian dream even though the orchestration again shows lavish full-metallic creativity and the band re-demonstrates its compositional strength throughout.Its composer David DeFeis, explains…“VISIONS OF EDEN” is most definitely not about happiness, peace, contentment or Eternal tranquility…it is in fact the complete opposite. It is about disorder, strife, struggle, dominance, the annihilation of a culture, the annihilation of a way of Life, and the violation & annihilation of a human being. I have based this Work around the history of the destruction of Paganism, Gnosticism and the desecration & eradication of the Goddess Principle that once dwelt so freely within Divinity. A massive blow was struck against these early beliefs, by first, the rise of the “Father-God” principle, and second by the development of  “organized” religions. The VISIONS OF EDEN album concerns LILITH, first wife of Adam, (he of Biblical fame, as in Adam & Eve and the apple, the snake and all that fig leaf and rib propaganda), plus Ancient Sumerian Myths concerning Lilith’s relationship with Adam, Eve and God. However, that being said, in actuality, it is really about today…modern times and how we might have arrived here at this strange place we now currently inhabit…

TRACKLISTING “Visions Of Eden”:

CD 1: Re-Mixed version Track list:
1) Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)
2) Adorned With The Rising Cobra
3) The Ineffable Name
4) Black Light On Black
5) Bonedust
6) Angel Of Death
7) God Above God
8) The Hidden God
9) Childslayer
10) When Dusk Fell
11) Visions Of Eden

CD 2: Re-Mastered Tracklist:
1) Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)
2) Adorned With The Rising Cobra
3) The Ineffable Name
4) Black Light On Black
5) Bonedust
6) Angel Of Death
7) God Above God
8) The Hidden God
9) Childslayer
10) When Dusk Fell
11) Visions Of Eden

VIRGIN STEELE: To Release New Album “Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation” On June 22nd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 21, 2015
Posted in: News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

VirginSteele-2015

American heavy metal legends VIRGIN STEELE have lined up the release of their superlative 13th studio album, Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation, as a standard jewel case CD, a double digipak (with bonus 15 track CD plus a massive booklet), and double gatefold blue vinyl album (+ CD), on Steamhammer / SPV Records on June 22nd.

David DeFeis, who formed Virgin Steele in Long Island New York in 1981, states that Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation is not a concept album per se, but there is a through line that connects the tracks. The lyrics essentially deal with relationship issues and by that I mean….the connections between entities….as in all sorts of beings, not only human beings?but also Gods & Goddesses, Spirits, Elements, or whatever, plus various creatures, animal, vegetable and or mineral, but largely the album is about connections between people. People and their belief systems, people and their Gods or Goddesses?people and their life philosophies and also the various substances we invest or inject into our daily or nightly rituals and our worldview, and all the complexities of what drives us, makes us who we are and takes us where we may?or may not be going. To sum it up this album is about….all the various ways in which humans can entangle themselves, or destroy themselves?so the album’s title essentially encompasses what the vibe of the whole Work is about. The title relates to the album in the way that the title Noble Savage, or Age Of Consent, expressed each of those particular Works. The title provides a framework and connective tissue, but each song is really its own thing.

Musically the album is pretty heavy, high energy, often dark, at turns melancholy, and at turns aggressive or angry sounding. It does have that over the top bombastic heaviness that we are about, and the whole Barbaric-Romantic thing that we are known for. The overarching theme that comes to mind when I think about the album or listen to it is passion?raw passion. There are big monolithic riffs, moody chord changes, classical type bits, sort of Bluesy moments….it retains the Virgin Steele signature, but it adds new dimensions to it. In a strange way it feels to me like it could have been the album we might have made to follow up Noble Savage, had I been able to devote all my energies into the more bombastic or progressive side of my musical nature at that time, rather than trying to appease some of the other “factions” around me who wanted some kind of a hit…whatever that meant at the time. So to conclude…we have infused the recordings with all that we have gone through over these past months, every fiber of our being…..and I think this album will be something our Fans will really enjoy.

Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation, Virgin Steeles first studio album for five years, containing 14 brand new vibrant, irresistible compositions, looks all set to win a whole host of new fans, once they get an earful of this vital, confidently consummate album.

*STEAMHAMMER / SPV NEW CD RELEASE*
Release Date Scandinavia: June 17th,2015
Release Date Germany: June 19th  , 2015
Release Date: Europe: June 22nd , 2015
Release Date USA/Canada: June 23rd , 2015

VirginSteele-cover

The new album is available in 3 different formats each with a unique artwork!

Format:                    CD + Bonus CD
Packaging:              DigiPak incl. massive booklet

Tracklisting 2CD DigiPak (Angel Artwork)

CD 1

1.LUCIFERS HAMMER
2.QUEEN OF THE DEAD
3. TO DARKNESS ETERNAL
4.BLACK SUN-BLACK MASS
5.PERSEPHONE
6. DEVILHEAD
7. DEMOLITION QUEEN
8. THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE
9. WE DISAPPEAR
10. A DAMNED APPARITION
11. GLAMOUR
12. DELIRIUM
13.HYMNS TO DAMNATION
14.FALLEN ANGELS

CD 2

1.HALLOWEEN THEME
2.D.O.A.
3.THE WITCH IN THE FOREST
4.BLACK SABBATH
5.THE IMMIGRANT SONG
6.BLACK SABBATH Reprise
7. RIDERLESS HORSE (Save Your Breath)
8.THE DEVIL DRIVES
9. ANGER NEVER DIES
10. FUNERAL GAMES
11. THE PLOT THICKENS
12. HAUNTED WOLFSHINE
13. WEST OF SUMER
14. A GREATER BURNING OF INNOCENCE
15. THE BIRTH OF BEAUTY

Format:                    CD
Packaging:              jewel case

Tracklisting  Jewel Case (Gargoyle Artwork)

1.LUCIFERS HAMMER
2.QUEEN OF THE DEAD
3.TO DARKNESS ETERNAL
4.BLACK SUN-BLACK MASS
5.PERSEPHONE
6. DEVILHEAD
7. DEMOLITION QUEEN
8. THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE
9. WE DISAPPEAR
10. A DAMNED APPARITION
11. GLAMOUR
12. DELIRIUM
13.HYMNS TO DAMNATION
14.FALLEN ANGELS

Format:                    2 LP + CD
Packaging:              Gatefold, printed innersleeves, Coloured blue vinyl, CD in cardboard sleeve

Tracklisting  2LP (Skeleton Artwork)

SIDE A:

1.LUCIFERS HAMMER
2.QUEEN OF THE DEAD
3. TO DARKNESS ETERNAL
4.BLACK SUN-BLACK MASS

SIDE B:

1.PERSEPHONE
2. DEVILHEAD
3. DEMOLITION QUEEN

SIDE C:

1. THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE
2. WE DISAPPEAR
3. A DAMNED APPARITION
4. GLAMOUR

SIDE D:

1. DELIRIUM
2.HYMNS TO DAMNATION
3.FALLEN ANGELS

LINE-UP:

David DeFeis vocals, keyboards, bass & orchestration
Edward Pursino 6 string guitars
Josh Block 7  & 8 string guitars
Frank Gilchriest – drums

More information at http://www.spv.de and https://www.facebook.com/VIRGINSTEELEOFFICIAL

Interviews With ACCEPT, VIRGIN STEELE, GRAVE DIGGER And RONNY MUNROE On Rich Davenport’s Rock Show

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 24, 2014
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Rich Davenport’s Rock Show this week features in-depth interviews with Wolf Hoffmann of ACCEPT, David DeFeis of VIRGIN STEELE, GRAVE DIGGER vocalist Chris Boltendahl, and Ronny Munroe (Metal Church), and is available now for streaming below:

In the first hour of the show, Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann discusses the band’s new album “Blind Rage”, and chooses three songs from the new release, along with classic tracks from the past. Wolf also looks back over the band’s successful reunion period and outlines their tour plans.

ACCEPT Blind Rage

Also in part 1, Metal Church vocalist Ronny Munroe talks about his new solo album “Electric Wake”, featuring guest appearances from George Lynch (ex Dokken, Lynch Mob) and Pamela Moore. Ronny picks two songs from the album, and looks at Metal Church’s recent live dates and plans for a new record.

In part two, David DeFeis of Virgin Steele looks back at a triology of classic albums from the band’s 90s era, “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Parts I and II”, and “Invictus”, both newly reissued on SPV Records. Along with tracks from each album, David also discusses the band’s forthcoming schedule of new and archive releases.

And finally, Chris Boltendahl of long-running German Metalmeisters Grave Digger explains the band’s decision to return to stripped down, face-melting classic Heavy Metal on their new album “Return of the Reaper”.

You can also listen on Sunday 24th August 15:00-17:00 GMT and Wednesday 27th August 22:00-00.00 GMT on http://www.totalrock.com, and on demand on hot new Texas rock and metal station KXZR Radio at http://www.kxzr.fm