Virgin Steele - Invictus
Noise Records
Epic Heavy / Speed Metal "à la Manowar"
16 songs (76'03)
Release year: 1998
Noise Records
Reviewed by Chris

Do you know what happens when a mastermind decide to write a concept album based on mythology ? Well, what happens is simple, rough and perfect. It's called Invictus and the mastermind behind this unbelievable album is Mr. David Defeis. And for me : that's the kind of album you only write once in your life, like Hammerfall's Glory To The Brave or Edguy's Vain Glory Opera. Anyway let's just say that the guy has earned my respect forever with that album.

Imagine Manowar, imagine a much more developed song writing, a richer sound and an exceptional vocal demonstration where David can sing quite aggressively (à la Manowar) or can make his vocals as sweet as an angel voice. The contrast and the vocal performance left me begging for more. The album is pure jewel of melodic Heavy/Speed Metal reinforced by classical arrangements then and there and a story that unfolds an excellent concept album. Guitar riffs and solos will make you go crazy, the fierce and fast drumming will annihilate your last resistance while you'll be under a powerful spell casted by David Defeis majestic vocals. Killer songs after killer songs, the album flows like a refreshing river in your brain, giving you the perfect balance between agressivity and melody.

This is an album that belongs in your collection, it's pure, it's rough, it's.... well perfect ! From the first song Invictus to the last one, which is a superb and long victorious metal hymn called Veni,Vidi, Vici (which concludes the album in the best possible way) you get more than 76 minutes of unbelievable music that you can play over and over again. A must have epic, barbaric and melodic masterpiece. Thank you David for this incredible album.

Killing Songs :
Every second of the whole record !
Chris quoted 100 / 100
Olivier quoted 95 / 100
Other albums by Virgin Steele that we have reviewed:
Virgin Steele - The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Part Two reviewed by Ben and quoted 92 / 100
Virgin Steele - The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Part One reviewed by Ben and quoted 87 / 100
Virgin Steele - Nocturnes of Hellfire & Damnation reviewed by Andy and quoted 40 / 100
Virgin Steele - The House of Atreus, Act I reviewed by Olivier and quoted 93 / 100
Virgin Steele - The Black Light Bacchanalia reviewed by Chris and quoted 69 / 100
To see all 14 reviews click here
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