The House of Atreus, Act II [Cast Recording]

The House of Atreus, Act II [Cast Recording]

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. Wings of Vengeance

2. Hymn to the Gods of Night

3. Fire of Ecstasy

4. Oracle of Apollo

5. Voice as Weapon

6. Moira

7. Nemiesis [Instrumental]

8. Wine of Violence

9. Token of My Hatred

10. Summoning the Powers

Disc: 2

1. Flamies of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)

2. Arms of Mercury

3. By the Gods

4. Areopagos [Instrumental]

5. Judgement of the Son

6. Hammer the Winds

7. Guilt or Innocence [Instrumental]

8. Fields of Aphodel

9. When the Legends Die

10. Anesmone (Withered Hopes... Forsaken)

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Wings Of Vengeance
Hymn To The Gods Of Night
Fire Of Ecstasy
The Oracle Of Apollo
The Voice As Weapon
Moira
Nemesis
The Wine Of Violence
A Token Of My Hatred
Summoning The Powers

Tracks:

Flames Of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)
Arms Of Mercury
The By The Gods Suite: By The Gods
The By The Gods Suite: Areopagos
The By The Gods Suite: The Judgment Of The Son
The By The Gods Suite: Hammer The Winds
The By The Gods Suite: Guilt Or Innocence
The Legends Suite: The Fields Of Asphodel
The Legends Suite: When The Legends Die
The Legends Suite: Anemone (Withered Hopes... Forsaken)
The Legends Suite: The Waters Of Acheron
The Legends Suite: Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor (The Death Of Orestes)
The Legends Suite: Resurrection Day (The Finale)

Customer Reviews:

Exorcist Nightmare Theatre This Is NOT!!!!.......2006-10-02

Look, alot of you Virgin Steele fans already know that way back in 1985, David DeFeis & members of Virgin Steele basically took over, and became for a short time, a band named Exorcist. That album "Nightmare Theatre", was a thrash metal masterpiece, almost singlehandedly steering the musical style into more theatrical elements, and creating one classic of an album. Of course, Virgin Steele was more important to these guys, and after only one incredible album, Exorcist was left in the dust for Steele's more power metal, well, chessiness. Such a shame.

If Mr. David DeFeis ever reads this, then read this: Whatever it takes, get that Exorcist album a proper CD release PLEASE! I personally owned the mass produced bootleg CD, y'know the one that was mastered from a "vinyl" copy, for six years now, and I want it with the clarity it truly deserves! Your fans deserve to hear this album's "Fire of Ecstasy" track as it was ORIGINALLY intended, as "Call Of The Exorcist" as it was first written and recorded for the Exorcist album.

The two bands are so different, yet with the same guys, that if you heard Exorcist, you too would realize what this band "coulda" been. DeFeis, you got most of your catalog out there for fans, give 'em the lost (and possible greatest) chapter. Get "Nightmare Theatre" out there!

One Hellacious Metal Opus.......2003-04-07

I was in VIRGIN stacking up on Power-Metal CDS and saw VIRGIN STEELE'S "House of Atreus Act 2" marked down to $8.99, so I checked the first song on the store's CD sampler...and immediately threw ALL the other CDS away, and bought HOUSE OF ATREUS.

THIS is one amazing rock opera. Bold, classy, well-researched (based on the legends of Orestes, son of Agamemnon) with excellent lyrics and instrumentality. It's up there with Manowar's TRIUMPH OF STEEL, but Manowar is a bit heavier than Virgin Steele. The reason being Virgin Steele is a trio, and David DeFeis is principally a keyboardist. Even so, THE HOUSE OF ATREUS kicks ass in classical power-metal style with the keyboards adding flair and class to the album, not detracting from it. DeFeis also has a great voice and writes excellent metal lyrics. All Manowar fans and power metal fans in general should check out Virgin Steele!

Mythology Metal.......2003-01-06

Here's a band that you should pay some attention to. With power metal bands now a dime a dozen, and most of them [junky], Virgin Steele have something. This is the kind of sound I look for in many power metal bands, but usually end up disappointed with. I'm not saying they're the best of the best, but they certainly hold their own. It's similar to Rhapsody but without the extreme cheesiness(unlike Rhapsody, you could feel half way comfortable playing this in front of friends). Virgin Steele has the whole narration bit to pull the story along, but it fits well. Unlike Rhapsody, you don't have to turn the narration parts down or fast forward in fear someone will hear it. Even though it's metal, it's surprisingly soothing(for me anyway). I really like the vocals too. And I've always been a mythology fan.

Finish the epic with this set.......2002-02-26

Two CD set. If you liked Blind Guardian's 14 minute epic "And then there was silence" you'd like this. Along with the first (Act 1)cd this set makes 3 total. I think the last song on disk two is about 13-14 minutes long and it's just one out of dozens!!
Cool guitar riffs and classical backgrounds. Again the piano solos can get a little slow, but the rock more than makes up for it. I'm so glad Amazon lets people review albums like this so I can share with all of you how incredable all this music is. It was a review on Amazon that got me into power metal and medieval metal. You can't go wrong.

Close to Perfect.......2001-10-17

"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.

The CD is a concept album and as in the first CD 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 CD 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 CD effectively meld the disparate styles and is the stronger for it.

The CD's 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 that 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.

The House of Atreus, Act II
Average customer rating:

A Progressive, Symphonic Assault

The House of Atreus, Act II
Virgin Steele
Manufacturer: Noise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The House of Atreus, Act I

ASIN: B0000AM6HX
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Wings of Vengeance
Hymn to the Gods of Night
Fire of Ecstasy
Oracle of Apollo
Voice as Weapon
Moira
Nemiesis [Instrumental]
Wine of Violence
Token of My Hatred
Summoning the Powers

Tracks:

Flamies of Thy Power (From Blood They Rise)
Arms of Mercury
By the Gods
Areopagos [Instrumental]
Judgement of the Son
Hammer the Winds
Guilt or Innocence [Instrumental]
Fields of Aphodel
When the Legends Die
Anesmone (Withered Hopes... Forsaken)
Waters of Acheron [Instrumental]
Fantasy and Fugue in D Minor (The Death of Orestes) [Instrumental]
Resurrection Day (The Finale)

Customer Reviews:

A Progressive, Symphonic Assault.......2006-09-09

If you're looking for metal that stretches the definitions of the genre, then look no further. David DeFeis and company deliver a huge, two CD effort that meanders between hard, crushing metal, soft, ethereal songs, and haunting instrumentals. Few rock or metal bands can reach the variation, emotion and intellectual plateaus achieved by Virgin Steele. While the House of Atreus Act I is a masterpiece that simpler couldn't be followed with anything better, Act II is better than 95% of all other metal out there. It (along with Act I) is highly recommended.