House of Atreus Act 1

Virgin Steele | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Noise
• ASIN: B00002MZ07
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,477 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Kingdom of the Fearless [The Destruction of Troy]

2. Blaze of Victory (The Watchman's Song)

3. Through the Ring of Fire

4. Prelude in a Minor (The Voyage Home) [Instrumental]

5. Death Darkly Closed Their Eyes (The Messenger's Song)

6. In Triumph or Tragedy [Instrumental]

7. Return of the King

8. Flames of the Black Star [The Arrows of Herakles]

9. Narcissus [Instrumental]

10. And Hecate Smiled

11. A Song of Prophecy (Piano Solo) [Instrumental]

12. Child of Desolations

13. G Minior Invention ... [Descent into Death's Twilight Kingdom]

14. Day of Wrath [Instrumental]

15. Great Sword of Flame

16. The Gift of Tantalos

17. Iphigenia in Hades

18. The Fire God

19. Garden of Lamentation

20. Agony and Shame

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Effort, June 16, 2000

By 

Methuselah (Philly, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: House of Atreus Act 1 (Audio CD)

This is one of those CD's that leaves you thinking "How in the heck can a band make an album like this?" There are some great composers in heavy metal that get no recognition. David DeFeis is one of them. I remember reading a review in a Philly paper on Dream Theater's Scenes From A Memory that stated that nobody writes conceptial albums anymore. Well, to the ignorant U.S. Press, that would be the case. To us knowledgable of great music now have House of Atreus Pt. I to add to a growing collection of amazing conceptial CD's. In fact, it is almost becoming a prerequisite anymore as the number of great bands increases, so will the necessity to be innovative. Man, who would've done an entire metal album about Greek Mythology in the 1980's? Wow, the first decade of the 21st century is looking bright for sophisticated metal fans.

Note: I always comment on the singer in each of my reviews. David DeFeis's singing is one reason I did not give this a 5. It seems like he holds back. Maybe he's going for the emotional display instead of the range display, but it seems like no matter how he uses his raspy voice, it always sounds like he's partially whispering.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Metal, October 17, 2001

By 

Alain Fournier "wubby" (Hamilton, Pembroke Bermuda) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: House of Atreus Act 1 (Audio CD)

As the title implies "The House Of Atreus Act 1" is the first CD of a set. The story is told in 2 Acts and the second CD is not surprisingly called "The House Of Atreus Act 2".
The action of "The House Of Atreus Act 1" takes place after the fall of Troy. It tells of the fate of Agamemnon King of Argos upon his return to his homeland. I won't go into details sufficient to say that its full of death and betrayals.
There are 10 different characters in the story. David Defeis sings all the parts. The only way to tell which character sings what is by consulting the booklet. David Defeis range is quite majestic going from a low treble to a high falsetto.
The album could be termed a metal opera in the truest sense. Overall the music is very grandiose and atmospheric. The album is composed of 22 songs. Four of the songs are 2 minutes or less and 3 more are 3 minutes or less. These songs are used as a transition from one scene to another or to set the mood for the next song and do an excellent job in the process. The album's song ranges from fast and melodic metal to gentler keyboard and acoustically driven songs. Each style complementing and enhancing the distinct trait of each other. This album is a very effective melding of classical, opera and heavy metal.

The best songs on the album included "Kingdom of The Fearless" which kick starts the album with furious rifting and non stop bass drums. "Ring of Fire" another of the metal songs aptly demonstrate Dave Defies vocal range and serious memorable backing vocals. "Flames of the Black Star" with its catchy headbanging chorus. "And Hecate smiled" starts with David signing melodically while the piano and guitar slowly join him to rise into a frentic crescendo that then proceeds to slow down mournfully. There is not a weak song in the bunch.

Overall an extremely good metal album that should be in the collection of any smart metal head.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Virgin Steele Does It Again!, December 4, 1999

By 

Kimberly Carder (SC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: House of Atreus Act 1 (Audio CD)

Let's cut to the chase, Virgin Steele is simply the best band there ever has been or ever will be. The new cd House of Atreus-Act 1 is classic Virgin Steele. The vocals are truly incredible! David Defeis hasn't shown a range like this since Noble Savage! I'd be remiss if I neglected the awesome guitar of Edward Pursino,and the drum work of Frank Gilchriest. Child of Desolation is my personal favorite on this cd, but others like Great Sword of Flame also give a true metal fan a lot to chew on. Songs like Hecate Smiled and Flames of the Black Star also give anyone who likes to bang their heads a reason to smile. This cd is a must for anyone who loves metal, mythology, or just loves great music of any kind. I am anxious for Act 2. Virgin Steele has truly done it again!