Metal School - Virgin Steele

An overview and retrospective of Virgin Steele, a US power metal band that went under the radar while still delivering epic albums.
Patreon: / metalschool136
Music Videos:
I Dress in Black: • Virgin Steele - I Dres...
Love is Pain: • Virgin Steele - Love i...
Snakeskin Voodoo Man: • Snake Skin Voodoo Man-...
Perfect Mansions (Mountains of the Sun): • VIRGIN STEELE PERFECT ...
Interviews:
2001 - 666 Seconds: • Virgin Steel - Intervi...
2015 - Brutally Delicious: • Virgin Steele frontman...
2016 - RockpagesTV: • Virgin Steele David De...
Performances:
1982 - Promo Reel: • Virgin Steele - Promo ...
1984 - Live in New York (Full show): • VIRGIN STEELE - Live N...
1993 - Ludwigsburg, Germany (Full show): • Video
1996 - Milan, Italy (Full show): • VIRGIN STEELE Live a...
1996 - Milan, Italy (Full show, alt. angle): • Virgin Steele - Rainbo...
1997 - Wacken Open Air Fest (Two songs): • Virgin Steele - live a...
1998 - Invictus: • Virgin Steele - Invict...
1999 - Memmingen Theater Klytaimnestra: • Klytaimnestra 2015
2003 - Memmingen Theater Lilith: • Lilith 2015
#MetalSchool #VirginSteele #DavidDeFeis #PowerMetal #VirginSteeleDocumentary #MetalHistory #80smetal #USPM #JackStarr #EdwardPursino #MarriageOfHeavenAndHell #Invictus #heavymetal #Guardiasoftheflame #nobelsavage #burningofrome #listentothis #guitarsolo #metalsolo #HouseofAtreus #heavymusic #lifeamongtheruins #visionsofeden #iwillcomeforyou #bloodandgasoline

[@SavoxYt]

I love their music but hate David DeFeis. He's so desperate to get people to listen to _Ghost Harvest_ that he removed almost everything else by the band from streaming services. You know, the good stuff.

[@Miraihi]

The man just don't understand at all how to sell music in 21 century.

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

Did not know about this band until I married my late husband and he had the Noble Savage album and fell in love with the band.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

Your husband sounds like he was a cool dude

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

@@Nick-qf7vt he was, he was 16 years older than me. He was born in 66 and I was born in 82. Best three years of my life. But he like me loves music from that period of time.

[@seagullpoet]

Great share !

[@anthonycoscia5501]

@ Shandi Combs-I’m sorry you lost him.💔 I just lost my Sister on September The Eleventh-2022. She had a heart attack and died, very suddenly, so I understand what it’s like when you have lost someone you loved. Take care of yourself.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Sorry for both of your losses.

[@lopolik]

yes, Virgin Steele is my most favorite metal band for years now. Can't wait to watch this.

[@minawalkure]

A well-deserved moment of light for Virgin Steele. Such an underrated band! With both glorious and questionable moments that mix in an epic battle throughout their career. Thanks for this episode in particular.

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

❤️🤘🏻

[@ezioauditore7427]

Love it or hate it Virgin Steele released some of the best albums in the 90's.

[@dancecat4308]

Super early and I'd love to see an episode on Flotsam And Jetsam!

[@acelogan5591]

Virgin Steele is one of the best Metal bands in ART and Inspiration, in uniqueness and Magick! You didnt mentioned so many GREAT songs. David Defay is an giant and special artist that he can travel through different worlds and dimensions! So that every album is special that the fans cant get it. The fans want always the same thing from VS. But the artist has to expand! For example visions of Eden is a fabulous disc, so much of art! You didnt mentioned at least child slayer that is a masterpiece. Also seven dead within, and green dusk blues from the last disc that are superb artistic songs. VS are in the top 10 metal bands of all time, easily!

[@Toshiro_Mifune]

oh i have been waiting for this. invictus and house of atreus are two of my favorite pieces of art of all time.

[@RuthlessMetalYT]

Great video as always. Love the content. I'm not the biggest Virgin Steele fan myself. I love some songs but it's a bit too much all over the board at times. Some of the production values hasn't always been on top either. A little too much theater and ballads but as I said when they turn on that Manowar type of 80's epicness then they kill it. Cheers!

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

Totally agree, Mr. Ruthless. Those first few albums are all over the place, and Guardians ended up growing on me but even it took some time to get into because of the production. But yeah, VS, and David specifically, seem like a really weird/interesting mix of both great and terrible ideas haha🤘🏻

[@dmasterj497]

Excellent class on Virgin Steele! Now school us on Warlord

[@johnkatsoudas3544]

I just got Virgin Steele's first album a few months ago. Earlier this year I really gotten into Jack Starr's Burning Starr band big time, so I had to give Virgin Steele a chance. I love both bands alot. You should do an episode of Jack Starr's Burning Starr one day because they are also an amazing band that many Heavy Metal fans don't know about.

[@thekingofstillwater5890]

Thank you very much for covering this overlooked band. When trying to find the 2012 reissues of albums with all bonus tracks, which is very hard, I emailed their support contact in a last ditch effort. Surprisingly, I got a response from their manager and in response to my question about potential reissues and putting all their albums on streaming services, he said that the band is currently undergoing a switch of labels, and that they'd get their albums out and available again after words. That was a few months back so I don't know how much longer it will take. Also, another potential band for you to cover, though you might go insane trying to put together a cohesive narrative, is the Metal band Thor from Canada. They apparently have 39 albums but no one knows for sure.

[@maxh9579]

A video about Thor would be great. They have a documentary and everything

[@TerranceColt]

Thanks for that, I was wondering why they took pretty much all their stuff off of streaming services.

[@austinclark6371]

about time, one of the best heavy metal giants out there

[@holydiver73]

As a metal fan of nearly 40 years standing. I have always prided myself on knowing loads of everything about bands, but I was today years old when I first even heard of Virgin Steele. I likes what I hear. I’m considering myself ‘schooled’ thank you.

[@Fasnic]

They are fantastic! Been a long time fan David rocks!

[@RuthlessMetalYT]

How is that even possible? Virgin Steele has been a huge band for 40 years. haha

[@AzhidaReminiec9999]

I have a Virgin Steele patch on my battle vest

[@ALLMETAL1970]

I think you'll like dangerous toys and avenger

[@RuthlessMetalYT]

@@ALLMETAL1970 Dangerous toys are overrated, guns n roses clones. Avenger are NWOBHM royalty!

[@RyanSeek]

I never could get into Virgin Steele. The songwriting just never did anything for me. But I absolutely love how you do these retrospectives on all the really obscure bands because those were always my favorites. The bands that didn't get crammed down my throat by radio, mtv and at kegger parties. Keep up the great work, you're doing an awesome job!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I couldn't agree more

[@MrSeeman13]

Not even the 2 Marriage of Heaven and Hell records? If so, you gotta try at least these two. You're really missing out on great tunes!

[@RyanSeek]

@@MrSeeman13 I haven't heard those. I gave up buying any of their albums after Noble Savage, which was very disappointing to me because I was just about on the hook with VS with Guardians. That album was ALMOST there. But I didn't get into anything off Noble, it felt like a step backwards in songwriting quality. Please don't interpret my words as saying the band suck or anything like that. What their music was to me was "just okay". There was nothing about any of their songs that would get stuck in my head and have their album call out to me from the shelf. That's what it really came down to; I had bought 3 VS records that I only listened to once or twice (maybe 5 times for Guardians) because nothing about their songs made me want to listen to Virgin Steele over the vast library of other metal bands that lined the shelves in my hallowed halls. After 3 albums I just gave up and the band quickly faded out of my world. I did hear the 4th album a few times as one of my close friends held with them for one more album before he too gave up. So anything after Age of Consent I have not heard. I never had the draw to revisit the band later on, mainly because from my experience it's extremely rare that a band that I've already established to be "not my cup of tea" would later create an album that did strike a chord with me. If I don't care for a particular musician's writing style, there's probably nothing ever going to change that. On the rare occasions that does happen it's almost always because the band hired a new member and that person's songwriting is appealing to me. That's my long winded justification for not hearing any of the later VS records, I just figured it was more of the same. If you think the Marriage albums are that much better than their typical fare, I would certainly be willing to give them a spin if I can find them on a free streaming service. Not willing to fork out cash to get the albums without first having the opportunity to digest them. Who knows, you may be right and I would end up putting those albums up on one of my platinum pedestals. Stranger things have happened!

[@MrSeeman13]

@@RyanSeek Kinda had a similar opinion about them before I listen these 2 records. They didn't do much for me before them, although Noble Savage was to my liking. The first time I listened to the Marriage of Heaven and Hell records I can honestly say I sent all summer with just those songs. Loved them to death. Give it a go with songs like "Blood & Gasoline" or "Victory is Mine". These are the hit songs out of these 2 records. Killer riffs and super-catchy chorus!

[@Userius1]

Invictus is very good

[@maxprdctns]

Almost an hour and no mention of Ed Pursino's resemblance to Al Bundy. When we saw them at ProgPower USA he looked like he could have just come from the shoe store. How 'bout a Metal School on Y&T or Rage?

[@blackmage471]

Love me some Virgin Steele. They always did what they wanted for better or worse, and that's a brave thing to do in the music industry. And in the process, they also showed they had diversity, knowledge, and skill. Nothing wrong with that, even if you think it's a little weird.

[@underworlddreams9511]

43:01 This Juggalo since '97 ♥'s Virgin Steel (altho I suspect I'm probably the only one who does!) and would probably attend one of their shows in monochrome clown paint. All you students of metal really pay attention to this lesson. I got a feeling it'll be on this semester's final exam!

[@Newhavenrailroadpro2006]

do firehouse or tesla for yor next video

[@lacquerdredd]

I have listened to Avantasia's Metal Opera countless times, and was mostly familiar with all the guest vocals. But nearly 20 years later, I discovered who was behind "The Final Sacrifice" after listening to The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. There was no denying that distinct roar - - Thank you for the lesson.

[@maxdokdok8712]

Same here XD. Virgin Steele was a name I knew but somehow eluded me for years

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

"Whack a doo" LMFAO! I've been waiting for this one. As a song writer I think David is very interesting but I can't take his voice. And that later stuff where he barks and yelps more than sings just doesn't do it for me either. Thank you for doing this band. It was incredibly interesting. Here's A list of possible future docs... Nuclear Assault Sanctuary Nevermore Stratovarius Kamelot Attacker Metal Church Chastain

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

Thanks for the suggestions! Definitely want to tackle David Chastain at some point

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

YES PLEASE!!!

[@JoeyArmstrong2800]

David Defeis vibrato could move mountains. Great band. Love your taste in metal.

[@DarkMetalSpider]

how in the world did I miss this band back in the day, what with all the other Metal I was listening to!??? these guys are epically great, especially getting into their 3rd one!! def appreciate this video, more than you know.

[@KoseFranz]

Wonderful video. Have been a Virgin Steele fan since I discovered them with Invictus in 1998. Marriage trilogy and The House Of Atreus parts 1 and 2 are masterpieces. Age Of Consent is also great, and Visions Of Eden has some tracks that I really enjoy. Latest outputs is just confusing:)Lets hope David and co. can come back with a new album worthy of the Virgin Steele legacy.

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

Wow. I feel stupid. I was desperately trying to find The Burning Of Rome, but I always thought it was by Burning Starr; Jack Starr's project after leaving VIRGIN STEELE!! I'll go hide in a hole for a couple hours, but when I get out, I'll binge some Virgin Steele, starting with Age Of Consent with The Burning Of Rome on it.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I can't think of another band who can sound like Manowar or Whitesnake so accurately. I'm honestly unsure why they aren't better known, as their output from 1995-2001 seemed to get critical acclaim yet no real traction with listeners. One of my reviewers for my old music review website absolutely loved them.

[@steamh4mmer264]

Invictus is up there with records like Painkiller, Black Hand Inn, Triumph of Steel where established bands, despite it being the 90s, have shown us how to do real metal I had almost forgotten they made records after Black Light Bacchanalia... And there is the Exorcist - Nightmare Theater, too, which is just virgin steele in disguise.

[@lopolik]

Yeah Nightmare Theatre is a must listen, very brutal and evil.

[@Vasilis_Metalhead]

Haven't listened to it. In what manner is it Virgin Steele pray, tell? I would appreciate a wee bit of elaboration on your part friend.

[@lopolik]

@@Vasilis_Metalhead It is Virgin Steele, Noble Savage era made in 1985, they just used fake names, they didn't want people to know it was Virgin Steele at that time, just one album and they went by Exorcist, with fake names and all that, and it's not like Virgin Steele it has like black metal type of screams, the music is like speed/thrash metal, it's considered underground old school black metal classic though.

[@lopolik]

@@Vasilis_Metalhead Dave DeFeis does the vocals, it is totally different type of vocals than on virgin steele, but the narration you can kind of tell uses similar effects as on Noble Savage, but more evil sounding.

[@Overlorde79]

Original Sin is the same history but replacing DeFeis by his sister on vocals.

[@shawnmcnally1254]

That string of albums from 94-2000 (MoHaH - P1 to HoA - AII) are virtually untouchable. I get the comparisons to Manowar (who have some good songs, but very few good albums), but those five albums put them far above Manowar in every single way.

[@markusfreund6961]

Thank you! Virgin Steele have been one of my favourite bands ever since I discovered them in the mid-90s. I'll never forget how I put Marriage Vol. 1 into my player and "I Will Come For You" just blew me away. While I kinda familiarized myself with most of what they released before and after that, this is where they peaked for me.

[@KrachEingeweide]

In his prime David delivered some of the greatest metal vocals of all time. Unfortunately his vocals on the new albums are among the worst I've ever heard...

[@jesuscampos8136]

Where do they get money to keep making these albums. When Rush made Caress of Steel, the record company threatened to cut them off but they responded with a masterpiece...2112. None of Virgin Steele's music is masterpiece quality yet the make albums that are three records long. And they still can't come up with a masterpiece 🤭. I think they're good but alot of that stuff sounds the same

[@cyvais]

Would Love an episode on Helstar (originators of Neo Classical Speed Metal), Infernal Majesty (originators of Horror Thrash), Attila and/or Vengeance Rising (best Christian death Metal band I've ever heard). Awesome work!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Or Destiny's End.

[@everettst.claire870]

No offense to Starr, but I prefer the post Starr records. Other than the keyboard beds, that are mostly buried in the mix anyway, these are just as much, if not more guitar driven than the first two records

[@dragonqueen6589]

Now it’s back to unknowingly crossing artists off my list right? otherwise I might not comment here for awhile… but it wouldn’t matter, since you’ve got enough other people and don’t actually enjoy our banter… Unfortunately, another band got added to my list 😂 I say ‘unfortunately’ since they (Piledriver) were brought back to my memory under less than ideal circumstances, that is the recent passing of their vocalist (Gord Kirchin). and also Kreator and Sodom. These guys were okay for me….

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

Haha it’s funny you mention them because David DeFeis wrote and produced the second Piledriver album and Ed Pursino played guitar on it. And hey, I always enjoy our banter!

[@dragonqueen6589]

Notes for the Leatherwolf upload: A special mention will have to be made of Mike, Geoff and Carey’s current project - which I only know about through Carey himself… that album is solid - just like that fresh single from one of Mark Boals’s post Yngwie project - though I’m probably not the person to approach for any criticism of his vocals… since he has always been one of my all time faves😂

[@dragonqueen6589]

@@MetalSchoolChannel Psst… if you plan to do Candlemass you could upload the vid on the 9th to coincide with the anniversary of the release of Nightfall 😏Yeah you ready to hear some more super obscure metal bands that are recent editions to my never ending list?

[@zoranpavlovic9540]

Wow!!! Didn't expect VS 🤘💎

[@nikolascend]

Thank the Gods for Invictus and Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Soundtrack of my life.

[@giordanquesada4417]

One of my favorite bands of all time. To me, Invictus is in the top 3 metal albums ever made. What a band!

[@Eric-ic8ym]

veni vidi vici✊

[@juansebastiangonzalez3922]

Invictus is my all time favorite. Out of this world!!

[@robertw5589]

Sword Of The Gods!!

[@donaldwrissler9059]

I really wanted to like VS from Guardians of the Flame and Noble Savage, but Defeis constant vocal warrble just annoyed me if I listened to more than one song. I loved Guardians and Redeemer individually,I just gave up on the band by the time Defeis controlled his vocal ticks. Tarja from Nightwish bothered me the same way, but but I jumped onto Nighwish again later so I will need to reevaluate Virgin Steele. I did follow Jack Starr for awhile and his Solo and Burning Starr albums too hit and miss interest.

[@michaelhudson2912]

Virgin Steele's best stuff is from 1994-2000

[@jasonmustaine]

Warlord including the Lordian Guard albums together please !!!

[@GhanimaGalach]

Make sure to check Nightmare Theater, which is basically Virgin Steele, going under the name 'Exorcist'.

[@joaobabler1584]

House of Atreus.........My God how I love this album

[@Sabatonrex]

Yeah it's like manowar 3.0❤

[@geraldskinner63]

Just in time for lunch break! Hot dog and some Metal Schoolin! Thanks!

[@MRV1985MRV]

I really love the amount of live material previously unknown to me this video puts on display. Virgin Steele is a very, very unique band. Even the bad choices they made album after album (odd vocal styles, demo-quality production, long songs that don't go anywhere, laughable home-made music videos and more) make them a very special band. And David is a creative force, an outstanding artist that deserves respect and admiracion, no matter what his artistic choices are from now on. Thanks again for this fantastic vid anda excuse my not-so-good use of the English language. Greetings from Argentina!

[@wolfen1101]

Hey, can you do an episode on Legs Diamond?

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

DeFeis' voice is a bit like King Diamond's voice. It's a typical "love it or hate it" case.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Agreed. I don't like David's voice but I don't hate it either.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

The Noble Savage 1997 edition came with additional tracks: Obsession (It Burns for You), Love and Death, Where Are You Running To, Come On and Love Me, The Spirit of Steele, The Pyre of Kings,. that are fantastic. I like them even more than the official tracks of the album.

[@billhogue9523]

Kelly Nickels is one of the reasons I play a B.C. Rich Warlock bass!

[@DS-yo4uw]

You provide a great service to humanity. Excellent work. Thank you.

[@markkatai7430]

One of the absolute best metal bands out there and the only band who can make 60+ minutes albums that are actually good. Also, I like to compare them to Savatage, I think they both are very similar in many ways, but mainly brilliancy and the development in style throughout their carreer. Both of them are best best bands to ever come out of the US (next to Overkill). Amazing video, I've been revisiting all your stuff and man, it is mindblowing what you're doing here. Keep it up! By the way, idk how much you're into doom, but would love to see some videos about 80s doom classics such as Pentagram, Trouble or Pagan Altar!

[@chrisdoran8111]

Take nothing away from this overview, another fine piece of metal history but Virgin Steele never did it for me and this retrospective has just reinforced that. Virgin. Steele has remained a relatively obscure Power/ Prog band as their catalogue just isn’t that interesting and never caught the attention of Savatage/ Queensryche/ Crimson Glory fans who where/ are perhaps their target market. De Feis is a fine singer, obviously has bags of confidence in his abilities and doesn’t shy away from cheese like that home made video shoot… WTF was that all about? Hilariously, he reminds me of Joey De Maio and look where Manowar are these days! Keep up the good work…🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@chromingscanner5719]

Yeah, exactly, this band could be really cool but it always lacked something, either driving riffs or some melodic hooks

[@TerranceColt]

Great video dude! Surprisingly, not enough people recognize the real value of Ed Pursino's guitar playing and how much it raised the stakes for Virgin Steele's sound. Jack Starr is/was amazing, sure, but Pursino's playing compliments David's voice and elevated it to incredible levels. A fun memory I have of the band: back in 2009 (or thereabout) they were due to play a show in a small club in the outskirts of Milan. A friend and I (respectively sophomore and freshman in high school) had tickets we bought in presale. A week or so before the show, the description changed from "Virgin Steele live" to "An Acoustic Night with David DeFeis and Edward Pursino". Needless to say we asked for refunds at the speed of light. A sign of the madness that was to come? Maybe...

[@aurelio597]

Thank you so much for this video, really love this band but i think David is not going in the right direction

[@willskid1014]

Amazing video as always!! Would love to hear u talk about Paganini and maybe some Viva, (Pre-Paganini) ;)

[@jamesmoss3424]

I will get all of Virgin Steele albums. 😀👍🤘🎸

[@steve.hoffman]

I have Noble Savage on LP but never really got into them. However, I also have A Cry in the Night EP and I really love that version of the song. Despite the Canon melody (also in Memories by Maroon 5) it appears to have indirectly influenced November Rain by GnR. If you take a listen to Endless Rain by the biggest metal band ever in Japan (X Japan, not Loudness) you will hear both the Virgin Steele influence and the obvious influence of Endless Rain on GnR’s November Rain.

[@Vasilis_Metalhead]

There are very few heavy metal bands that i'd like to see you covering. Exciter, Blind Guardian, Nevermore and Sanctuary due to Warrels death, Death and Control Denied and lastly Pantera. A few more are probably going to be requested in the future but this is it for now. Thank you for doing what you do bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Imorajna]

Every upload is excellent. One of my favorite content creators. It's a bonus when you do a group I'm familiar with. Please consider doing Rhapsody/Of Fire

[@MarvelDcImage]

I never heard of them or if I had heard of them I no longer remember them but I bet those new albums sell in Europe- they love their opera metal.

[@wheelsofmercury]

Virgin Steele was a pretty cool band! I am a big fan of David DeFeis' mid-90's voice (even if he seems like a pretentious person).

[@danbrumana3]

Thanks for another fantastic metal-lesson! This is the one I've been waiting for. The Burning of Rome and I Will Come for You are some of the best songs the genre has to offer. Something that wasn't mentioned in the video but is rather interesting: Apperantely, the band was in debt at Cobra Records in the mid-80s and paid back the label in music, resulting in the, surprisingly good, Black/Thrash album Nightmare Theatre released under the monicker Exorcist, as well as the album Sin Will Find You Out, released by a made up band called Original Sin (which is even more bizarre, as it was marketed as an all-female band).

[@chrischannel942]

Thanks for another great metal lesson, Instructor Zack! I'm from Long Island and I never heard of these dudes, but that's what you're here for!

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

Wow, right in your neck of the woods then! haha

[@chrischannel942]

@@MetalSchoolChannel yeah, formerly, not now :) that's why they're so cool, ha!

[@metalapologetics9285]

"Victory is mine" best Virgin steele song

[@ricsithompson6671]

You mentioned Faithful Breath. My heart belongs to you now.

[@MichaelArsenault-s4s]

You didnt talk about Exorcist - Nightmare Theater....that was an album done by Virgin Steele, back in like 1985. Their record company asked them to make a Thrash Metal album and they did, At least 2 songs from Nocturnes of Hellfire and Damnation, are reworked Exorcist tracks. And yeah, those short quick screams, he does all the time, its like WTF

[@zeuspadilla1741]

Awesome video! I'm just now getting into Virgin Steele, I only knew of David DeFeis because he was featured in Tobias Sammet's Avantasia (The Metal Opera) Pts 1& 2.

[@PortugueseMACPOW]

Virgin Steele destroys Avantasia

[@zeuspadilla1741]

@@PortugueseMACPOW I don't see how you could even compare one to the other but...ok! 💪

[@trajanoserravallijr39]

ouça ha voz de singer de virgin steele que vá entender a comparação david defeis canta junto a alma

[@chronic4632]

Bro hear me out here,you NEED to do Jag Panzer

[@Navarothravenheart2688]

My fav albums are "Noble Savage" & "Invictus". Hail from Poland!

[@loufolse7170]

Man I cannot begin to tell you what a HELL OF A JOB you do! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the channel! You nail it every single time! YOU ROCK! \m/ Suggestions: Krokus Black 'N Blue Rough Cutt Airbourne King Kobra Accept Volbeat Saxon Keep it going brotha!

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

Thanks for the suggestions, Lou! Krokus is high on my list

[@Yismeicha]

I was introduced to Virgin Steele by way of David's appearance on an Avantasia album.

[@dennisfransson7544]

You most do Bonfire!!

[@RicardoJunkes]

I was introduced to Virgin Steele earlier this year by a friend and boy oh boy, did I get hooked! Since then I have been listening to it pretty much non-stop. It got to the point where I wake up with some Virgin Steele song in my head and when I lay down in bed at night, there's always some catchy riff and chorus playing in the depths of my mind as I fade off to sleep. They are THAT good. As a long time fan of power metal, it all clicked for me when I learned that Tobias Sammet (one of my all time favorite musicians) got a lot of inspiration from Virgin Steele when working onThe Metal Opera albums, and I 100% get that when I listen to David's work. I has been a revelation for me, and I'm enjoying "discovering" this band after so much time listening to the genre. It's extremely refreshing and exciting! Thank you so much for making this video, makes me appreciate the band even more than I already do!

[@fabiovigolo7288]

Great Epic Band...big like from Venice Rock Army ❤️

[@oliver.n278]

42:00 I was born and grew up in Memmingen. It's a rather small town in Bavaria with 40.000 Inhabitants. It blew my mind in 1999 when I heard the news that this Opera "The House of Atreus" with the music from Virgin Steele is coming to the City Theatre! I was lucky to see it two times back then, the first being the premiere where David Defeis was there and I even got a photo with him. Considering the fact the performers had no singing experience at all, they did a decent job I think. I also have the art poster of the event til this day. Wonderful memories!

[@MetalSchoolChannel]

That’s amazing! Yeah, the performers all did a great job. I was a theater major for a bit in college and it reminded me a lot of that. Putting up shows with the talent you have, plus a lot of heart and passion for the project.

[@oliver.n278]

@@MetalSchoolChannel Yes heart and passion is the most important thing. As an Audience, you can feel it. Thank your for this video! 🙂

[@anthonycoscia5501]

This band doesn’t work for me at all!. Much like-Mannawar doesn’t either.👎🏼👎🏼 😌

[@DylanHoff]

Virgin Steele was amazing. Their 90s albums are some of the greatest Epic Power Metal ever recorded. Visions of Eden and Black Light are pretty good too. After that I think David completely lost his voice and sounds embarrassing. I don't understand how anyone likes their later albums.

[@sloth4787]

I grew up on Long Island and first saw Virgin Steele play opening up for Manowar at the Sundance in Bayshore NY on the noble savage tour and fighting the world tour for Manowar. Have those first albums and ep still to this day . Bought in a record store in Commack , called Music Den. Great memories. Thanks .

[@lopolik]

I love Seventeen, Dave hits some of his greatest highest note on that one.

[@JeanAlainXavier-ze9jc]

Love that song too

[@johnnyguitar6639]

I say Age of Consent is their best album

[@TheFireBurnsWithin]

And now the new album has been out a few weeks and at the very best and most generous a 4/10 album but most would give it less I'm sure. Mr DeFeis just won't listen to anyone and somehow the record label releases his "attempts" at music without a word in return. Just don't understand how SPV doesn't tell David to go back to the studio and rewrite/scrap/remix ..redo -every-goddamn-single-thing on the record! 😅

[@amorphine]

Thank you, the most undarated band ever yet my favourite metal band. Everything you've said was just I wrote it. One on One :) Congrats!

[@idrankwhat]

This is awesome. Please do a metal school on Jack Starr's burning star. They have a pretty big discography.

[@johnkatsoudas3544]

I agree! I just got into Jack Starr's Burning Starr earlier this year. Excellent band! No Turning Back is a phenomenal album. I just got Land Of The Dead last week which is also a great album. I definitely plan on getting the whole discography.

[@drewrosecrans9728]

@57:26 when did Adam Sandler become a metal singer hahahaha sorry all of there bio is just not my thing I didn't like them in highschool and I so forgot about them after so many decades!& Now I know why I wasn't into them just horrible and there music goes nowhere!

[@Sabatonrex]

Manowar are my comfort zone band and my absolute favorite. But i also have listened to vs and i have to say that some times vs do sounds more like manowar then manowar, my dream is if vs do a tribute to manowar and record battle hymn, hail and kill and blood of my enemy, and many others tracks

[@jonstiffer4994]

Life Among the Ruins was such an odd album. I don't really care for it and it really doesn't fit in their timeline. And whatever happened the last decade or so?!

[@guylanglois1802]

Personally it's a little mundane/artsy for me.. the lyrics arent my cup of tea \__O__/I'm a don't bore us get to the chorus kinda guy. But hey it's about variety. I do seem.to like the "softer" bluesy album life amoung the ruins

[@contrebassearchet]

I Remember good Noble Savage in 1985 ! I was 16 years old teen !!

[@ravensnest3606]

Thank you so much for these in-depth metal videos. You’re content has exposed me to so many great bands! Even though u probably don’t read all of the comments, please do a vid about Dokken!

[@roberthoener1989]

Been away from civilization for a few..did u ever do a bang tango episode? Come on man, Wrap my wings and Someone! F'n'A

[@adammorris1943]

This is amazing, I could hear spend hours and hours directing this band. Vini Vidi Vici is the most epic song of all time!

[@balrogDCLXVI]

I totally love that song!

[@xuiotghjhat]

Virgin Steele is probably my favorite metal related thing of all time and can't get enough of David DeFeis. The band really encapsulates the spirit of the genre for me in a way that exemplifies the chaotic potential of creativity metal music has always had coupled with the primal lizard-brained swordcore bemusement that you can't help but marvel and admire. It's overindulgent and pretentious (just like my comment) but I can't help but love it to death even when it's unlistenable cringe-inducing caterwauling through a tin can. Thanks for a well researched and opined video that will no doubt bring this experience to more ears that have never heard of them before. Also the Perfect Mansions video is perfect!!!!! I don't care if anyone says I need to peel through several layers of irony to enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!

[@JeanAlainXavier-ze9jc]

Wow, great bio, Noble savage never clicked, im loving the samples am hearing, got to check it out, i only know the first one and Age of consent, love them both.

[@cathulhu3772]

God bless you for muting "aaAaaaAaaAaah" part of that theatrical abomination... That would f pay to watch!! Cool!!

[@2kReels]

Fun Fact: Rumors had it a student of Walter Weyers, indendant at the Landestheater Schwaben showed his teacher a virgin steele album and so the idea to make a real opera of his music grew. Though I was never able to witness any of the Virgin Steele operas here in Germany, I happened to catch the quasi successor: Prometheus Brain Project in collaboration with Axxis (just search for "AXXIS - "VIRUS OF A MODERN TIME"...even with Axxis Singer Bernhard Weiß on stage. It was very small and felt very underbudgeted, but was nevertheless a great experience. As for virgin steele: Great band, Invictus is one of the greatest metal albums of all time and the only band besides very early german band Wizard where I felt a kind of Manowar-Spirit. Its a shame that the recent releases feel soulless and lackluster that that DavidDeFeis' Homemade Music-Videos have become an internet meme If you need any inspirations for your next school projects: Omen, Heir Apparent or said german band Wizard (though still active)

[@joshweinstein5843]

Alway though they were a little heavier than Angel ! Grew up seeing them in rock club all over LI. Hammerheads, Cheers, Saltydog, OBI. Punky Medows & Jack Starr Should of did something together.....

[@someoneyt1350]

Great video, definitely gonna check them out

[@dimitrisvarvakis7724]

Guardians of the flame is a classic. Noble Savage also. The two Heaven and Hell albums had some stunning moments. Their later albums are hit and miss but their pre-98 material is great.

[@DasKuper]

Excuse me, invictus, Atreus 1&2 are their best albums

[@dimitrisvarvakis7724]

@@DasKuper not for me, not even close

[@shorerocks]

I admit, they were something else. Classic US metal (I'm located in Germany). Never my cup of tea. I kept the CD for 'Noble Savage', as this is the only album I really like listening to these days.

[@Paulzuzu]

I had their first album on vinyl as a kid. I ordered it from a magazine. None of my friends had heard of them, so it gave me a little clout as a metal pioneer in the neighborhood😁.

[@aaronperretta4303]

This is one band that always escaped me, especially since I’m a Long Island native - I’m excited to get schooled. Thanks!!

[@aaronperretta4303]

Jeez … speaking of Long Island: 1) singer sounds like Dee Snider with vibrato on the earlier albums and 2) JOEY BUTTAFUOCO?! Great content as always. Maybe we could get some Icon, or maybe a quick Fifth Angel lesson?? :)

[@metalmystro7513]

Why would the change the album art on the cassette releases during a time when they were all the rave even the compilation burn the Sun had a pretty boring cover as well but Maze records really dropped the ball with this band and it goes all the way back to the debut where that cassette release has a picture of David on the cover instead of the original beautiful artwork as a kid I would have skipped all those cassettes for something that look more interesting

[@tracyhandy3236]

Love VS, but anything after 2000 I just don't care for.