Description

A massive 4 vinyl set featuring both House Of Atreus albums and the Magick Fire Music EP. Splatter vinyl in a special die-cut multi gatefold cover. Limited 500 hand numbered copies

The House Of Atreus Act I – Kingdom Of The Fearless
The House of Atreus, Act 1 is an incredibly ambitious project even for Virgin Steele, a band whose recent recordings centered on no less a concept than The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. It is essentially a partial retelling of the Greek tragedy concerning the royal family cursed by a hideous act of cannibalism and doomed in the aftermath of the Trojan War; the music is appropriately epic and grandiose, borrowing from classical and prog rock as well as traditional, straight-ahead British-style metal. To be sure, there are times when the music collapses under its own bombast or the weight of its pretensions, but it’s surprising that Virgin Steele pulls off this project as well as they do.

The House Of Atreus Act II – Wings Of Vengeance
‘The House Of Atreus Act 2’ is of course the follow up and the continuation of ‘The House Of Atreus Act 1’. The musical style of Act 2 is pretty much the same as in Act 1. This is a concept album and as in the first album following the story is not essential to enjoy the songs themselves. The story is based on Greek mythology and is filled with power struggles between gods and human, various betrayals occur and there is of course the occasional death. The whole thing is a bit too complicated for a reasonable synopsis and anyway just buy the album it contains an excellent summary of the events described in the songs. As in Act 1 David Defeis again sings all the parts of the various characters. The only way to tell which character sings what is by consulting the booklet. David Defeis is one of the better metal singers around possessing a vocal range that is the envy of many a singer. Overall the music as in Act 1 is very grandiose and atmospheric. The album this time is composed of 23 songs. As in Act 1 many of them serve to set the mood and as a transition between songs. As in House of Atreus Act 1 the songs range from fast and furious guitar driven double bass drum melodic metal to gentler keyboard and acoustically driven songs. The album effectively meld the disparate styles and is the stronger for it. The albums best songs on the album include the opening track ‘Wings Of Vengence’ which kick starts the album with furious rifting a great chorus excellent drumming. Virgin Steele really knows how to hook a listener from the opening track onward. ‘The Wine Of Violence’ is another great of the metal song with a great riff and excellent vocals. ‘Flames Of Thy Power’ is a brutal fast paced song that showcases the whole bands talent. Among the transitions tracks Moria is the best with its effective use of the piano and excellent orchestration. There is not a weak song in the bunch. Overall I found ‘House Of Atreus Act 2’ to be a weaker album then Act 1. That being said Act 1 was perfect and Act 2 merely close to perfect. An excellent addition to the collection of any metal fan.

Track listing:
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)
5. Death Darkly Closed Their Eyes (The Messenger’s Song)
6. In Triumph Or Tragedy
7. Return Of The King
8. Flames Of The Black Star (The Arrows Of Herakles)
9. Narcissus
10. And Hecate Smiled
11. A Song Of Prophecy
12. Child Of Desolation
13. G Minor Invention (Descent Into Death’s Twilight Kingdom)
14. Day Of Wrath
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
21. Gate Of Kings
22. Via Sacra
23. Wings Of Vengeance
24. Hymn To The Gods Of Night
25. Fire Of Ecstasy
26. The Oracle Of Apollo
27. The Voice As Weapon
28. Moira
29. Nemesis
30. The Wine Of Violence
31. A Token Of My Hatred
32. Summoning The Powers
33. Flames Of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)
34. Arms Of Mercury
35. By The Gods Suite I- By The Gods
36. By The Gods Suite II- Areopagos
37. By The Gods Suite III- The Judgement Of The Son
38. By The Gods Suite IV- Hammer The Winds
39. By The Gods Suite V- Guilt Or Innocence
40. Legends Suite I- The Fields Of Asphodel
41. Legends Suite II- When The Legends Die
42. Legends Suite III- Anemone (Withered Hopes… Forsaken)
43. The Waters Of Acheron
44. Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor (The Death Of Orestes)
45. Resurrection Day (The Finale)
46. Gate Of Kings-acoustic version
47. Agamemnon’s Last Hour (Silver Sided Death)
48. Great Sword Of Flame-alternate version
49. Prometheus The Fallen One-re-mix
50. Flames Of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)-alternate mix
51. Wings Of Vengeance-alternate mix