Metal maniacs, rejoice! I'm proud to present to you: VIRGIN STEELE; signed via Steamhammer Records, hailing from the United States of America - performing Heavy/Power Metal, on their re-issued album entitled: "Visions of Eden". (released February 17^th, 2017)

Since formation in 1981; the quintet in question have 14 Studio Albums to date, I'm introduced to their 11^th adventure: "Visions of Eden". With thanks to the Temple; I finally have a legit reason to listen to VIRGIN STEELE, relishing the Power Metal sub-genre as a huge MANOWAR fan...among others, I was more than excited to dive into this elegant quartet. Consisting of 2 CDs which are both virtually the same product; just remixed and re-mastered, ranging at around 01:19:30 - created and delivered here is an exquisite slab of solid Heavy/Power Metal for yours to play with. The Re-Mixed CD is first up; "Immortal I Stand (The Birth Of Adam)" opens up the album in a weirdly intricate way, with full force speed - no introductory distinctions, just full speed ahead Heavy Metal and captivations, this is a good way to showcase how to formulate your sound right off the speakers in a succulent fashion, it stems with proficient malice however.

Barbaric-Romantic is the quartet's motto; fusing Metal-Opera with VIRGIN STEELE's prominence at Heavy/Power Metal musicianship and epic instrumentation. "Adorned With The Rising Cobra" showcases a lengthy exert; 9:40 exactly (the longest song on the album), provides coherent songwriting that has unique values built in. The storytelling is delicate to the originality factor, as well as consistent to memorability and the sound production.

"The Ineffable Name" showcases complex instrumentals and vocals from David DeFais managing keyboards/bass/orientation/guitars/gong, blending with mystical contrasting for a monumental listen. The guy is distinctively talented in his contributions to this well crafted experiment of epic proportions. "Black Light On Black" is another headbanging epic; layered with a divine atmosphere of flourishing enlightenment. The dexterous duo, Edward Pursino on leads and Joshua Block on rhythms, efficiently strive with excellent precision for a unique aesthetic in substantial melodies. This substance is fulfilling and unprecedented in every meaning of the word. "Bonedust" features similar uniqueness; Frank Gilchriest also delivers impressive pummelling on his drumset profusely. VIRGIN STEELE is an acquisition that takes pride in their work and with a grandiose in resulted scale.

"Angel Of Death", "God Above God" & "The Hidden God" all share similar harmonics and melodies and all elements at sufficient qualities in stellar proficiency...Personally; I wouldn't compare VIRGIN STEELE to such bands like MANOWAR or RHAPSODY as they all share indifferences that in my humble opinion, don't exactly sound too similar - all bands have their own characteristics in pattern.

Concluding this record with the final 3 tracks "Childslayer", "When Dusk Fell" & the titular track "Visions of Eden"; I am compelled to say that overall - I enjoyed a distinguishing piece of art that excelled itself in particularly fine intricacy. While my couple of qualms are that the vocals can sound a tad cheesy at time, and that things took a while for me to "grow on me" (but not really) I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. The Re-Mastered CD is literally the same thing; easily noticed was that the sound production was much lower, although I can't really see the point in having a 2^nd copy if that version sounds weaker. The Barbaric disc (CD 1) serves more potency while the Romantic disc (CD 2) comprises of indifferent additional effects, to put it more simply. Kind of reminds me of the "Kings of Metal MMXIV" MANOWAR remake where they included an instrumental disc of all things.

In conclusion; I recommend checking out VIRGIN STEELE's re-release of "Visions Of Eden" for the sake of supporting great and enjoyable Power Metal. Fans of aforementioned bands? This one will certainly be right up your alley. <