Band:	Virgin Steele
Album:	Visions Of Eden - The Lilith Project - A Barbaric Romantic Movie Of The Mind
Style:	Heavy metal, Symphonic metal
Release date:	September 11, 2006
A review by:	Dream Taster

01. Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)
02. Adorned With The Rising Cobra
03. The Ineffable Name
04. Black Light On Black
05. Bonedust
06. Angel Of Death
07. God Above God
08. The Hidden God
09. Childslayer
10. When Dusk Fell
11. Visions Of Eden

Virgin Steele is one of the most underrated bands out there. Their unique blend of Melodic Heavy Metal filled and classical influences - trademarked by a wide use of piano lines and the amazing voice of David DeFeis - has so far gathered only a handful of loyal fans.

Six years have passed since their last studio album, and now comes David's new opus, Visions of Eden, which, as it is customary with the New Yorkers, is a romantic saga. Fronted by master vocalist/pianist/composer David DeFeis, Virgin Steele has now established a stable lineup with Edward Pursino on guitars, Frank Gilchrist on drums and Josh Block on bass guitar.

All the elements present on previous Virgin Steele efforts are once more found here: beautiful piano melodies, shredding guitar solos, fantastic vocals. But above all what define the record are David's classical composition skills, which are unmatched in the Metal world to my knowledge. The force of their music probably resides in the fact that they manage to create complex songs with instruments emanating purity, whether it's David's voice, his piano sound or Edward's guitar sound.

In the continuity of masterpieces such as Invictus and the The House of Atreus saga, Visions of Eden already strikes me as full of Virgin Steele best moments. A song like "Adorned with the Rising Cobra" has nothing to envy from the finest tunes that David put out throughout the years. Meanwhile, the ballads "God Above God" and "When Dusk Fell" reach David's highest standards alongside songs such as "A Cry in the Night". The power songs of the album, among which "Bonesdust" and "Childslayer" stand out, have that Virgin Steele catchy effect written all over them.

Regarding the production, the usual DeFeis method has been used; Tune down the bass and drums lines and purify both the piano and guitar lines, while focusing on the vocals.

You don't know music if you do not enjoy this. Virgin Steele is a reference in terms of quality and Visions of Eden is once more a living proof of M. DeFeis genius. This band remains truthful to their established sound unlike so many other bands nowadays; and it is paying off big time. If I have to wait another six years for another album like this one, sign me up right now. Finally, in DeFeis typical own words: "For best results play at maximum volume"!