Virgin Steele
Formed: 1981
From:
NY,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Virgin Steele News
Below is our complete Virgin Steele news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 41 - 50 of 50 1 2 3 Last
Virgin Steele To Re-Issue Early Albums
Dockyard 1 will re-release the classic VIRGIN STEELE albums "Noble Savage" (1985) and "Age Of Consent" (1988). Both albums will be remastered and will feature previously unreleased bonus tracks, and new full-color booklets with new photos and commentary/liner notes.
Commented singer David DeFeis: "The purpose of these reissues, is not necessarily to have the fans who already purchased them buy them again, but attempt to reach out to those who have not yet heard of VIRGIN STEELE. I am happy to once again be working with Dirk Putzke and Christine Stephan. I have known them for a long time now, and our association has always yielded exciting, positive results, and been absolutely great! I look forward to a very Magickal year ahead with them."
Dockyard 1's Dirk Putzke said in a statement: "The reasoning behind Dockyard 1's signing [of VIRGIN STEELE] is quite simply to keep these masterpieces and milestones of true barbaric-romantic music alive in print and have them available for new fans, as well as those long time members of the VIRGIN STEELE audience."
For those of you who already possess these works, fear not… the bonus tracks will be available separately as downloads.
The release date is set for February 1 in Germany and February 4 in all other European territories.
In other news, David recently completed work for a track on the forthcoming EP from the female-fronted Polish power metal band CRYSTAL VIPER. CRYSTAL VIPER recorded a cover of David's song "Blood & Gasoline" (from the "Marriage Of Heaven & Hell Part 1" CD), and asked him if he would be interested in contributing vocals to it. David not only added vocals (including miles of harmonies), but also played keyboards and mixed and mastered the track. And…he also enlisted VIRGIN STEELE bassist Josh Block to play some mammoth seven-string guitar on it as well.
The CRYSTAL VIPER EP featuring the cover of "Blood & Gasoline" will be available shortly on Karthago Records.
Progpower USA Sold Out
The organizers of the ProgPower USA festival have announced a surprise headline set for this year's sold-out edition of the internationally renowned festival. Saturday night (October 6) will now finish with an all-star cover set featuring vocalists from both the showcase and the festival. Each vocalist will be given the opportunity to perform 1-2 cover songs of their choice with the music being provided by the members of PAGAN'S MIND. Additional guests will join them throughout the set.
"The fans have made this festival a success and it's time to give something back to them," said ProgPower USA promoter Glenn Harveston. "I wanted to announce this after the sell-out as a reward instead of in advance as an incentive. It's going to be one hell of a party on stage."
As a result of the additional performance, there has been a major change in the schedule and door times. "I had to shake things up quite a bit to make this work," Harveston explained. "However, the fans can relax knowing that not one band will have a single minute cut from their previously announced set lengths."
The new schedule and door times can be found at the festival web site. More...
Virgin Steele's Gilchriest Slams 'Fake' Drummers
UPDATE: Frank Gilchriest has issued a statement about some of his comments here.
The official VIRGIN STEELE web site has been updated with a new interview with frontman David DeFeis and drummer Frank Gilchriest. An excerpt from the chat follows:
Q: What are your favourite moments on [the new VIRGIN STEELE album, "Visions of Eden"]? Favorite tracks? Are you satisfied with the way the album turned out? Are you pleased with your performances?
Frank: "People should buy the CD because it is different from what is currently available in the genre. It is truly an original work of music and has an interesting story that relates to all the madness in the world today.
"My favorite moment on the CD is 'God above God'. Musically and lyrically that song brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it!
"I wish to clear up any confusion about the drumming on 'Visions of Eden'. First of all, that is me playing on every song. There was no programmed drum parts used whatsoever!!
"I am very happy with my performance on 'Visions..'. However, the drum sound is a different matter. This was the first time we used a digital drum kit and I'm not entirely satisfied with the outcome. Unfortunately, they sound so perfect that people are accusing me of not actually playing the parts. Some people think Dave programmed the drums on a computer. That is very distressful to me. I worked hard to get my endurance and speed up to the task of recording those parts. I can hear my own style of attack on the drums and, my particular way of phrasing things but at the same time I understand what some fans are saying. There is a machine-like quality to due to the use of a digital drum kit instead of a real wooden one. I can't wait to satisfy the doubters when in concert I'll be ripping up those songs out on a real wooden drum kit. More...
Virgin Steele Post Two New Songs Online
Two songs from the VIRGIN STEELE's forthcoming eleventh album, "Visions of Eden - The Lilith Project - A Barbaric Romantic Movie of the Mind" — "Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)" and "The Hidden God" — have been made available for streaming. Check them out:
"Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)" : Windows Media, Real Media
"The Hidden God": Windows Media, Real Media
"Visions of Eden - The Lilith Project - A Barbaric Romantic Movie of the Mind" is scheduled for release on September 8 via Sanctuary. Check out the album's cover artwork at this location. More...
Virgin Steele Announce New Album Title
Long-running New York power metallers VIRGIN STEELE have posted the following message on their official web site:
"The new VIRGIN STEELE album is truly on schedule! David [DeFeis, vocals] is literally one day away from completing all mixing and mastering, and I can now honestly tell you with complete confidence that it will be out in September. The name of the album is to be... 'Visions of Eden', and it is quite epic. It is I believe the group's longest album to date, clocking in at 79 minutes and 57 seconds. We hope you will enjoy it. More information, track listing etc., will appear in the weeks ahead..."
VIRGIN STEELE's last studio release, "Book of Burning", came out in 2002.
Virgin Steele To Release New Album In September
Long-running New York power metallers VIRGIN STEELE have posted the following message on their official web site:
"The new VIRGIN STEELE album is almost finished. Mixing commenced several weeks ago, and David [DeFeis, vocals] is nearly finished with all the tracks. He should have the mixing wrapped up within a week or two, and then he needs a few days more for mastering. All looks quite promising for an early September release. We will keep you informed.
"In related news, David and Edward [Pursino, guitar] flew over to Germany last week for a listening session for the new album, with all the key German magazines, and the reaction was extremely positive."
VIRGIN STEELE's last studio release, "Book of Burning", came out in 2002.
Virgin Steele Begin Recording New Album
VIRGIN STEELE's official web site has been updated with the following message:
"David DeFeis [vocals] has finally decided which songs will be issued on the first [new VIRGIN STEELE] CD from out of the over 60 compositions he has prepared so far. And not only that, but the group is actually now officially halfway through capturing the first 20 on tape. Sessions are going extraordinarily well, and the group is hoping for a much sooner...rather than a much later release. We will keep you informed, as the information comes our way. I have also heard rumors about a 'making of' short video documentary that is in the works!"
Virgin Steele Confirmed To Play At Bang Your Head
Virgin Steele are confirmed to play at Bang Your Head 2005-festival. The event is set to take place in Germany at the Messegelände of Balingen on the 24th and 25th of June.
Bang Your Head 2005 will be the 10th Bang Your Head in a row and is therefore themed "The Best of ten Years". To celebrate this anniversary, the festival's organizers invited the most popular acts of all former events. Alongside 22 acts that have rocked the festival's stage before, another well-known very special guest will be invited.
The list of artists set to perform at the Bang Your Head festival 2005 at Balingen, Germany, 24th/25th of June: More...
Virgin Steele New Album Update
Virgin Steele singer David DeFeis and guitarist Edward Pursino commented during a recent online chat on the progress of the songwriting sessions for the long-running Long Island, NY-based power metal group's next studio album.
Said David: "After these [upcoming DeFeis/Pursino acoustic] dates, we will dive full-bore hardcore into the completion of the next album. The ideas are all there, and in fact there are about 40 demos already recorded. Hopefully it won't take too long to complete everything we wish to record. But we are not rushing. It will be ready…when it is ready. We want it to be the best one yet." Added Pursino: "We will begin recording the album in the fall and will finish when it's just right. We simply can't be rushed."
Virgin Steele, et al 'All Star' Gig in NY
Virgin Steele 's David DeFeis, Edward Pursino & Josh Block, will team up with former Exorcist drummer, Geoff Fontaine, to perform a gig of Strange & Beautiful cover tunes at 'The Village Pub South' in NY. This concert is a benefit for the South Shore Music Foundation.