Band:	Virgin Steele
Album:	The House Of Atreus Act II
Style:	Heavy metal, Symphonic metal
Release date:	2000
Guest review by:	Emalaith

Disc I
01. Wings Of Vengeance
02. Hymn To The Gods Of Night
03. Fire Of Ecstasy
04. The Oracle Of Apollo
05. The Voice As Weapon
06. Moira
07. Nemesis
08. The Wine Of Violence
09. A Token Of My Hatred
10. Summoning The Powers

Disc II
01. Flames Of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)
02. Arms Of Mercury
03. By The Gods
04. Areopagos
05. The Judgment Of The Son
06. Hammer The Winds
07. Guilt Or Innocence
08. The Fields Of Asphodel
09. When The Legends Die
10. Anemone (Withered Hopes...Forsaken)
11. The Waters Of Acheron
12. Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor (The Death Of Orestes)
13. Resurrection Day (The Finale)

Here we have part 2 of the legend of 'The House of Atreus.' This piece of work turned into a double CD as David DeFeis and Edward Pursino still had so much creativity left after part 1 that the songs just kept coming. The album opens with one of the best metal songs ever written - 'Wings of Vengeance.' In this song, you can discover one of Virgin Steele's talents that separates them from the rest of the metal world; they like to vary the chorus ever so slightly every time it comes around, which makes for an incredible diversity (you?ll also find this on the 'Invictus' album). As the story unfolds, it is again told in many different ways: heavy, fast, double-bass driven pieces, instrumental interludes, David's voice (spoken words, whispers, screams, or haunting falsetto), and gentle ballads.

This album is a jewel due to pieces like 'The Wine of Violence,' 'Summoning the Powers' (both disc 1), 'Flames of thy Power,' and short little interludes, such as 'Areopagos' and 'The Judgment of the Son' (disc 2). Virgin Steele's unique approximation of epic power metal and classical music is as evident as ever on this album.
Another talent of the band showcased here: using the same theme for ballads and fast songs and presenting it in 2 totally different versions. You can see this with 'A Token of my Hatred' and 'Arms of Mercury.' Even more than in Act I, this 2-CD set flows and feels complete and you will find yourself immersed in the development of the story and its emotional presentation.

The conclusion, 'Resurrection Day,' finally, brings the story to an end. After listening to the album in its entirety, you will feel like you can do just about anything.