These guys have hundreds of albums out now, but 'Guardians...' is my favourite from the power metal band. Ten tracks on offer here, typically '80s but with a mightierpunch than most of the bands around at the time - this is serious, epic sounding metal featuring killer guitars and warrior vocals courtesy of David DeFeis who also provides keyboards and production! This album got a reissue in 2002 and came with a rare EP, but whatever version you pick up, make sure you turn out the lights, light a candle and become absorbed by its atmosphere, because this really would have been a massive step up for us metalheads back in the '80s - sure we loved all the sword and sorcery stuff, but Virgin Steele took their brand of swashbuckling metal to almost progressive levels - just check out the proggy mid-section jam of the title track, or the loping chug of 'Don't Say Goodbye' which has a faint poppy, melodic edge, but always still epic in its approach. Album closer 'Cry in the Night' confirms the epic swoon of it all, it's a wondrously sweeping cut fuelled by a sweet piano and enchanting chorus not too far removed from Queen in its structure. Virgin Steele have always been highly accomplished musicians, and although I've lost track of their releases over the years, this album always stuns the senses whatever mood I'm in.
8/10
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Virgin Steele - Guardians of the Flame (1983)
These guys have hundreds of albums out now, but 'Guardians...' is my favourite from the power metal band. Ten tracks on offer here, typically '80s but with a mightierpunch than most of the bands around at the time - this is serious, epic sounding metal featuring killer guitars and warrior vocals courtesy of David DeFeis who also provides keyboards and production! This album got a reissue in 2002 and came with a rare EP, but whatever version you pick up, make sure you turn out the lights, light a candle and become absorbed by its atmosphere, because this really would have been a massive step up for us metalheads back in the '80s - sure we loved all the sword and sorcery stuff, but Virgin Steele took their brand of swashbuckling metal to almost progressive levels - just check out the proggy mid-section jam of the title track, or the loping chug of 'Don't Say Goodbye' which has a faint poppy, melodic edge, but always still epic in its approach. Album closer 'Cry in the Night' confirms the epic swoon of it all, it's a wondrously sweeping cut fuelled by a sweet piano and enchanting chorus not too far removed from Queen in its structure. Virgin Steele have always been highly accomplished musicians, and although I've lost track of their releases over the years, this album always stuns the senses whatever mood I'm in.
8/10
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