Review
and Interview from the French print magazine Odym´etal,
September 2004
by Marie-Christine
Another world, another dimension, then I have a little the tremor,
the emotion torturing me internally. Then? Eh well, it is VIRGIN
STEELE and it is nothing like any other group! My small heart is
beating wildly in front of the first notes... And there, miracle
or magic or both, I let myself be carried by the voice of David,
it is so captivating and so cordial a voice which alleviates me
completely. How not to let myself be charmed by the soft ones and
pure intonations of David, even when the tone increases in power.
One would need to be inhuman to not succumb to this voice. And when
one opens the eyes on David, one cannot but admire as this man has
so much charisma. I have seen some great singers in my life, but
here, this evening, I remain happy to stand in front of such an
amount of talent and expression. It is an acoustic concert which
David makes so alive that one does not see the time run out. VIRGIN
STEELE, one of the preferred groups of my husband, (unfortunately
absent), will enter in scene or at least, its singer, David DeFeis,
(the man, the artist, the musician that my husband dreams to meet
more in the world) accompanied by his friend-guitarist, Edward Pursino.
With
a little théatral side which points out a little Freddy to
me, the singer of QUEEN, always is it that David captivates, along
with the complicity of his guitarist Edward, his audience with such
an ease that I cannot prevent myself from thinking that he is a
magician. Edward, with a smile on his lips, remains stoical in front
of the grand gestural style of David and brings forth the arrangments
with a beautiful dexterity. But those of you who know VIRGIN STEELE,
know this already. Carried by the delicious voice of David, the
acoustic notes give a new life and a new color to the pieces. Titles
extracted from a great part of their discography, of "Age of
Consent" until "The house of Atreus" (I and II).
also passing through "The marriage of Heaven and Hell"
(I and II) and "Invictus". Edward does not forget the
solos. Here it is breaking a cord in full solo, and impassive, the
music continues smiling and handling with beauty its notes, without
error. Professional, very great professional because even the music
lovers present at the sensitive and attentive ears notice it. The
set proceeds interspersed with a medley of titles of VIRGIN STEELE
but also of some covers not only metal, like that of The Rolling
Stones, Billy Idol, Prince and others... very extreme & great!
The so gracious voice of David and the gold fingers of Edward transport
us to another universe, almost unreal, that of the pure and beautiful
music. In my memory, David put himself in front of the keyboard
for only one piece in order to close this superb acoustic service
of more than 2 Hours. Bravo and Respect!. The curtain fell on fans
left yet with their fright "steelienne" and the return
to reality is sadly done but without evil. One would like to prolong
this magic moment well into eternity, but the activity of the roads
on scene recalls us that all good things must have an end.
After
two hours an acoustic show in which Edward Pursino and David DeFeis
gave all of themselves to the fondness of the audience. A large
group of fans remained at the bottom in order to meet them. The
Americans of VIRGIN STEELE took approximately a 20 minute old station-wagon
and came, with the smile on the lips, for the meeting of the fans
present. Handshakes all around, and they are posted behind the tables
of merchandising by connecting the signings and dedications of posters
of the festival. Since I had my small pockets of Cds, I benefit
from it to make them dedicate, they could only have signed of it
one or two to not make quickly, but, Edward and David took time
to sign all that there was to sign for each one among us, without
forgetting the smiles and handshakes, a very cordial reception on
behalf of the head of poster of this festival: two men with sympathetic
feelings and a true closeness to their fans! I thus benefitted from
it to take a small photograph in their company. THANK YOU FOR the
FUND OF the HEART with Sylvie, Dom and all the staff of association
GUARDIANS OF METAL, who work so that the concerts of Heavy Metal
do not die in France!!!
... and now the Interview:
Interview
with David DEFEIS for Odymetal
by Marie-Christine the 6th November 2004
How would you introduce VIRGIN STEELE to a person who doesnt
know you?
ANSWER: I would begin by attempting to describe what the Music sounds
like. I would try to explain what I mean by Barbaric-Romanticism,
and what my overall Ideology regarding Music and VIRGIN STEELES
place in it is. I would tell people that this is a Music derived
from the sound of primal, Paganistic Metal, filled with all the
Power & Fury one associates with Metal, combined with the type
of harmonic sensibilities found in 19th Century Classical Music,
meaning the Romantic School, with all of its sonic qualities,
and emotional Power. For example the kinds of tonalities found in
Chopin, Liszt, Verdi, or Wagner. I may then try to discuss the lyrics
or how we strive onstage to commune with forces outside the normal
Human experience.
What album (s) do you recommend to fans to discover VIRGIN
STEELE?
ANSWER: That is difficult to say. I would determine that based on
what I might know or not know of the temperament of the person in
front of me. The albums are all quite different, so that is a difficult
decision.
For my husband and many French fans, Invictus
is your best album. Even if every album has its own story, which
do you prefer?
ANSWER: I like them all for different reasons. They all represent
something special for me. I am probably most fond of the compositions
found on all the albums beginning with THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN &
HELL through and including all of the Songs found on the HOUSE OF
ATREUS Works.
You
write all the lyrics, and you compose all the music, occasionally
helped by your big friend and guitarist, Edward. How do you work
together?
ANSWER: Edward & I have been friends for a long time, so we
have a very unique understanding & chemistry between us. More
often then not, I work alone, and I bring completely finished songs
to the Group. However, we also do write together, and when we do
work together on a composition, it begins with an idea from either
one of us, which we both then try to expound upon. We jam, and throw
ideas back and forth, and when we hit upon the Magick,
we know. It feels amazing & sounds spectacular, and we are off
& running again.
When and how did you have this interest for Greek Mythology?
Where do you take your information and your inspirations?
ANSWER: I began to be interested in Greek Mythology & all Myths
in general at a very young age. Through live theatrical presentations
of Plays by Greek play-writes such as Euripides, etc., I was first
exposed to them, and in addition way back when, I read several books
by Edith Hamilton and several other authors, which sparked my interest
in the World of Myth. I remember quite vividly a production of MEDEA
that I saw as a child. This had a profound effect upon me.
Do you need special conditions to compose?
ANSWER: Lots of free time, and nobody interrupting me
I prefer
the gloom of Autumn & the isolation of Winter, but I can &
I do compose all year round. Sometimes it is difficult to start,
but once I do seriously begin, I often find it hard to stop.
The music of VIRGIN STEELE is a unique one! It is very sophisticated,
full of emotions, soft and intense, energetic, mysterious and many
other qualities also. Is it easy for you to create this kind of
music, what can you say about that?
ANSWER: I create the Music from my emotions, my knowledge, and my
experiences
in short, from my Life. It is the Sound of my particular
view of my corner of the World. Some Songs have an easier Birth
experience than others, but they all go through the same in depth
scrutiny and process of development. I am very hard on myself. I
am intensely critical of everything that I do.
You
have played in Strasbourg for The Guardians of Metal Festival, on
the 4th September 2004. What memories do you keep of it?
ANSWER: It was a very special Evening. The audience was incredibly
receptive to what we were doing, and very demonstrative in showing
their enjoyment. I think that Magick was definitely in the Air that
Night & the 9 Muses descended and graced us with their presence.
This was an acoustic show. How did you choose your songs?
What difficulties did you encounter in adapting them?
ANSWER: Edward & I rehearsed all sorts of possibilities, and
we performed what seemed to sound the best to us in that format.
We have both always been into improvisation, and we improvised numerous
variations on each of those Songs, until we arrived at something
we found suitable. It is always a question of which Songs can still
retain their Power & Integrity in this mode, and can we do them
real justice within this style. Those Songs that still maintained
their Triumphant, Melancholy, or whatever inherent quality they
originally possessed, were kept in the Set. It is great to be able
to re-invent the Songs in another style. It helps keep the freshness
& spontaneity in.
You have played more than two hours and you managed to keep the
attention of your audience. How did you manage it ? Are you a magician?
ANSWER: Hey, thank you very much! First let me say that the Audience
was very kind, and very, very gracious. I think that People respond
to the directness of this approach, & the honesty of our delivery.
They are also able to witness in this stripped down state, the particular
chemistry of Edward & I. We have the advantage in that we have
been performing together for a long time in all sorts of ensembles.
This has inculcated a unique dynamic in our onstage communication
with each other and in our overall presentation to the audience.
Your voice is wonderful. How do you prepare it before a
concert? And in general how do you keep it in shape?
ANSWER: Thanks! Plenty of Scotch & Red Wine! I generally try
to warm it up carefully before each performance, or rehearsal, and
I try to the best of my ability, to maintain my physical & mental
states of being. Not always an easy thing to do, but absolutely
fundamental to vocalizing well.
Only one date in France, why ? Are there some problems to play in
France?
ANSWER: No, not at all. We did not plan a whole tour. We only wanted
to do a few shows. In fact it was initially only supposed to be
just Germany, but Holger the French Promoter, heard that we would
be somewhat nearby, and he invited us to headline his Guardians
of Metal Festival. Later in the year we will plan a more extensive
schedule, but this was just
testing the waters, so to speak.
How is the metal scene in U.SA.? What kinds of metal do
fans like more?
ANSWER: The Scene is good, but not so big like it is in Europe,
but in general
it is quite OK. I think the USA Fans enjoy all
the various forms/genres of Metal, from Symphonic Power, to Black
Metal, Death Metal, etc, etc
Do
you work on your new album and also, a DVD. What can you say to
us about it?
ANSWER: Yes, we are deep into the new album, and all is going pretty
well at the moment. I have just finished organizing what will be
the first of several CD's. I must comment that Frank Gilchriest
is playing spectacularly on these new Works! Unbelievable drumming!
The new Works are Dark, Deep, Over The Top and quite Barbaric &
Romantic! It is a new development in the History of Steele! Once
the new album has been satisfactorily completed we will forge ahead
with the DVD & a live album.
Apart from music what another passions do you have?
ANSWER: Let me say that everything in my World revolves around Music,
but OK apart from Song??? Well whats left??? Why the Wine
& the Women of course! To be brief
I am passionate about
all of the myriad experiences of this thing we call Life! I believe
in diving deep into the multi-faceted human experience that Life
is and has to offer. As regards specifics, I am interested in all
sorts of things, from Ancient History, to Archaeology, Mythology,
Mysticism, Philosophy, Film, Books, Poetry
etc
And as
I mentioned a second ago, I am a firm Believer in The Sacred Spirit
Of The Grape, and the entire attendant Dionysian Spectrum of Pleasures
If we want to please you, what could we offer to you?
ANSWER: Eternal Life and Vintage Bordeaux! Ahhh
just your
ears really
. Thanks for listening
BY THE BLACK SUN & MOON,
David DeFeis
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