We were born to defy, we were born to heed our own heart’s
call and our own voice. Amidst a sea of lame excuses, mediocrity,
conformist rhetoric, and other bland sentiments that pass
for ROCK MUSIC these days, we stand as an Island, a Fortress,
a Bastion, a Haven for the Foundation of what we consider
to be the True METAL Faith and perhaps the CLASSICAL MUSIC
of the 21st CENTURY. A Testament to the Power of the Will,
exploration and self expression. An alternative to the ever
present corporate menace that passes for Popular Music.
As we approach/enter the new Millennium, we see our goal
to be a union, a convergence of various Forms into one. Music,
be it ROCK based, CLASSICAL based or whatever, Poetry, Theatre,
Painting, Sculpture and Film can and will be molded, blended
and reborn in new and exciting shapes. Shapes/forms which
can enrich our World, galvanize our emotions, open our senses,
our hearts, our minds, to Spheres, Plains, and Oceans of unlimited
possibilities through which we may see our Universe and our
relationship so it in a new and different Light! To truly
live, to drink the new Wine, to bathe in new Waters both strange
and beautiful, to embrace what was lost and what may be found,
this … is the Spirit which drives our passion ever onward!
We invite you to join us on this Quest for Life, Adventure
and the Pursuit of all Forms of Emotion, Expression and Passion!!!
BY THE GODS it is time to Fly!!! ALL are Welcome, ALL are
One, THE GATE OF KINGS AND QUEENS is Open for those who have
the Wish and the Will to Walk on through!!!
After the Fire, Water, Wrath, Storm, Pain and Tears ... We
will meet again in Honour, Faith & Love ... Don’t
be late!!!
BY THE GODS & GODDESSES,
D. DEFEIS
INTRODUCTION, or "A SYMPHONY OF STEELE"
From a whisper to a scream; barbaric, romantic, bombastic,
yet subtle; grandiose, yet earthy. A call, a shout, an invocation
to Freedom and the continual awakening to the awareness that
every moment of life is lived to its fullest potential. It
is a force, a Sacred Quest which drives VIRGIN STEELE on!!!
Ah, yes, the name . . . People have often asked me what does
the name VIRGIN STEELE mean? It means: a fresh approach, a
new lease on life; pure metal, baptized in the flame of life;
full of hunger and power, rich with dignity and majesty, with
an awareness and respect for tradition, but combined and fueled
by a desperate need to carve out new frontiers of expression.
To take the music as far as it can possibly go; to break the
boundaries wide open. There are no limits!!!
Another question often asked in this day and age of people
and their need to affix labels on things, thereby wrapping
everybody up in tight, little boxes is, 'What do you call
your music, and how do you categorize yourself???' There are
three terms I like to use when discussing the VIRGIN STEELE
sound ... 'ROMANTIC EXPRESSIONISM', 'SYMPHONIC BLUES BASED
METAL', and, my favorite, or more appropriately, the one that
most aptly conjures up the Sound of this Music in my mind,
'BARBARIC ROMANTICISM'. All things are possible in the Land
of STEELE.
From the symphonic grandeur of 'EMALAITH', or 'I WILL COME
FOR YOU'; to the delicacy of 'STRAWGIRL', or 'LAST ROSE OF
SUMMER'; to the brutal crunch of 'PROMETHEUS THE FALLEN ONE',
or 'WEEPING OF THE SPIRITS', one can tell that we are an eclectic
band that delights in risk-taking and experimentation. We
do not care about trends or being the 'flavor of the month'.
We are here to create music that will have a lasting value
like the great masters. If that sounds pompous, then, hey
. . . So be it. We are not put on this earth to conform to
what someone else’s opinion of us is. We are here to
be all that we can possibly be within ourselves ... Do what
thou will.
With our music we wish to invoke the spiritual nature locked
within all men and women. Our thoughts harken back to an older
Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, such as Dionysus, God of the
vine, and Demeter, Goddess of the grain, Earth Mother and
spirit of fertility. It is our believe that all religions/
myths speak essentially about the same occurrences. There
may be differences in dialect, syntax, or phrasing, but the
fundamental beliefs are all the same. Just as with language,
there are different words or dialects, but we are all expressing
the same ideas and communications.
It is our dream to convey through the music, a feeling of
Power & Divinity in oneself, and a feeling of togetherness
with all people on this planet, as well as a strong sense
of personal freedom and spiritual well-being. Music is the
great unifier and universal language. It crosses all boundaries.
On stage we are striving to commune with the Infinite, searching
for that spark where the Lifestream touches Eternity!!!
We yearn for that moment of exultant Glory, where we and
the audience transcend. It is raw, sexual, earthy, spiritual,
yet tangible. Everyone should come away from the show feeling
transformed - something new has come into the room that was
not there before we began playing. Ultimately, we wish to
smash through the barriers of ignorance, and reach that Divine
place of Freedom, where you can go out on a limb and become
a God or Goddess. A Journey to transport one through Chaos
to Enlightenment and Beauty!!! . . . THAT IS THE GOAL !!!
AWAKENING - or 'BIRTH THROUGH FIRE'
What I remember most, is the primitive, powerful pounding
sound of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, combined with
an eerie, hypnotic vocal. I would hear them playing in the
basement beneath my room, an unearthly, metallic roar. They,
being my brother Damon on organ and piano, my sister Danae
on vocals, and their band STALK. They rehearsed nightly in
the basement of our parents' house for years, and me being
only 9 or 10 years old, having school the next day, I would
fall asleep to them playing 'BLACK SABBATH', or BLOODROCK’S
'D.O.A.', or perhaps MOUNTAIN'S 'THEME FROM AN IMAGINARY WESTERN'.
The sound permeated my soul and changed me forever. But the
roots of it all actually go back even further.
I remember my first portable record player. It was given
to me several years earlier. I would listen to music and get
excited, or be soothed, depending on what was being played.
Eventually, I would fall asleep next to it. And in my hands,
I held not a toy (FUCK THAT) - in my hands, every night I
fell asleep, there was a 45 RPM record (customarily, this
record was CHOPIN'S 'E MINOR PRELUDE'). This affinity, this
passion for music lead me quickly on the road to learning
to play and compose myself. I began piano lessons at the age
of eight. By age eleven, I was performing in my first metal
band, PHOENIX. Kind of prophetic, in light of later events
which sidelined me and VIRGIN STEELE . . . No matter what
happens, we keep rising from the ashes. My quest for musical
knowledge led me to study formally at a two year music college,
where I met a tall bass player named Joe O'Reilly. He and
I began jamming together regularly and thought about putting
a band together.
We graduated in June of 1981, a few months afterwards, I
came across an advertisement in the local music paper, GOODTIMES,
for various musicians seeking a lead singer. The ad mentioned
that there was an upcoming tour planned (there WASN'T!) -
naturally, I was very intrigued. Upon phoning the number in
the ad, I spoke with a guitarist named, Jack Starr. We arranged
to meet at a nearby rehearsal studio the next day. I arrived
on time, but there was nothing scheduled for us as Jack had
forgotten to book the time. I suggested that he and the drummer,
Joey Ayvazian come back to my house where I had all my gear
set up, to afford them the opportunity to hear my singing
and keyboard playing.
I played three songs for them, 'NO QUARTER', by LED ZEPPELIN,
'CHILD IN TIME', by DEEP PURPLE and 'CATCH THE RAINBOW', by
RAINBOW. They liked what they heard and asked me to join the
band on the spot. While I was interested, I had yet to hear
them play. I suggested that we jam together first, which we
did a day or so later. I thought that Jack and Joey were great,
the same could not be said of their bass player, so I suggested
my friend, Joe O. They agreed that Joe was better than the
guy that they were working with, ergo, he was in - their guy
was out. And it is from these small beginnings in October
of 1981 that VIRGIN STEELE was born. (Incidentally the guy
we fired did seriously improve, and went on to find success
with LA.GUNS. His name is Kelly Nichols.) Cheers & All
the Best to him!
After rehearsing for three weeks, we entered the studio to
record what we thought would be only a demo - It was, in actuality,
VIRGIN STEELE ONE. The album was recorded mostly live in the
studio, with very few overdubs. The entire thing cost about
$ 1,000 dollars and took about a week to record and mix. As
I mentioned earlier, we thought we were recording demos, but
... We began sending our 'demo' out to all the various metal/rock
magazines and fanzines. They all liked it, and interest began
to build. Fan mail started pouring in, and then, SHRAPNEL
RECORDS president, Mike Varney called us. That call was to
inform us of his intention to include us in his US METAL,
VOLUME II COMPILATION album. The featured track was 'CHILDREN
OF THE STORM', from VS "1".
After the release of 'US METAL-II', the flood gates opened.
More people knew about us, more fans were writing, so we felt
that we should press up the demo/album ourselves to see what
would happen. The first pressing of 5,000 copies sold out
in a matter of weeks. I drove boxes of VS "1"records
to distributors all over the East Coast of the States (If
this wasn't a great way to learn how the music business actually
works, huh?!!). The second pressing of 5,000 also sold out.
Things looked great, we were sparking interest in record companies,
and our fan mail was becoming more interesting. Two letters
in particular stand out, one from a young band like ourselves,
who were from Seattle. Their name was - QUEENSRYCHE. The other,
from California, also a band, who called themselves METALLICA.
The best offer from a record company came from an English
label called, MUSIC FOR NATIONS. We signed with them in 1982;
we were their very first release, MFN 1. We were later joined
on this label by METALLICA, WASP, MANOWAR and MERCYFUL FATE.
It was a very exciting time, it was the New Wave of American
and British Heavy Metal, magazines like KERRANG and METAL
FORCES in England were giving us great reviews. In the USA,
we began supporting many great bands like MOTORHEAD, KROKUS,
RIOT, THE RODS and MANOWAR, with whom we later did a very
enjoyable German tour in 1987.
With the dawning of 1983, came our second album 'GUARDIANS
OF THE FLAME' and two EP's titled, 'A CRY IN THE NIGHT', in
Europe, and 'WAIT FOR THE NIGHT', in the States. That year
would prove to be very successful for us, and the prospects
on the horizon were even brighter. However, there was tension
and disarray in the ranks. Jack and the rest of us were not
seeing eye-to-eye on a musical level, and in 1984 he began
recording a solo album called, 'OUT OF THE DARKNESS', with
RIOT singer Rhett Forester. Incidentally, I sang background
vocals on that, but I never received the credit on the album
. . . An oversight, perhaps? Hmmm ...
Meanwhile, Joe 'O', Joey and I started jamming with my good
friend Edward Pursino. (See more on the subject of Edward
below.) We began rehearsing some new songs I had written which
included 'DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES', and 'THY KINGDOM COME',
and NOBLE SAVAGE, among others. In addition, Edward and I
discovered our collaborative potential; the first song we
completed was "OBSESSION". The second was ... "THE
EVIL IN HER EYES". The partnership between he and I had
begun, as did the reunification of the band. And so, we thought
it best that Jack continue his solo career. Interestingly
enough, we never actually asked Edward to join the band, he
just came down one day and never left. (Thanks, Ed!!!)
I first met Edward when I was about 15 years old, when MOUNTAIN
ASH, my band at the time, was auditioning for a gig at the
high school dance. I sang BLACK SABBATH'S 'WAR PIGS', and
after we were done, Edward came over and introduced himself.
I knew then and there we would some day work together, as
we established a rapport immediately. If for no other reason,
he, like me, had hair longer than most people did at the time,
and he also wore stacked heel boots. Oh, yeah, my band did
not get that gig - I guess we were too fucking heavy with
our SABBATH covers.
Armed with new blood and enthusiasm, VIRGIN STEELE began
recording the classic 'NOBLE SAVAGE' album in 1985. Completed
in about seven weeks, and our best album up to that time,
I felt that justice was finally being done to the music and
the vision. 'NOBLE SAVAGE' was released in 1986 and has proved
to be a milestone in our career; there is no denying the power
of that album. (Some of our Fans rank it as one of the best
Metal albums of all time!) Thanks!
1986 was a busy year for us. Things were going well, we had
a great new album that got excellent reviews, sold more than
any of our other efforts, and we began touring the US and
Canada quite regularly. We also had a new label, SPV, and
a new manager, Zoran Busic. At the time, Zoran was also the
manager of the band SAGA. Considering their success, we thought
wonderful things would happen for us ..... We were so wrong.
I began doing lots of production work in '86, I produced PILEDRIVER,
EXORCIST, ORIGINAL SIN, MARC DENARO, DAMIEN THORNE, FOXX,
and Jack Starr's 'NO TURNING BACK', album. (With full credits
..., but ... no money ...)
We ushered in 1987 with two tours of Europe, one with MANOWAR,
and another with BLACK SABBATH, our early idols. These both
proved to be truly wonderful experiences. At this point, we
had released our albums in almost every country of the world,
including Japan, and South America. High on our European success,
we began recording 'AGE OF CONSENT', in late 1987, with the
feeling that 1988 could only be better. We finished the album
on July 11, 1988, and it was released in October of that year.
Most people don't know this but I played keyboard bass on
all the songs, with the exception of 'LION IN WINTER', on
which Edward played bass guitar. This was due to Joe O being
ill for most of the recording. By this time, Joe started feeling
too much pressure from outside forces and from our management
and eventually left the band in 1992.
Life wasn't easy for us during the years between 1988 and
1992. Our manager had made a royal mess of our career, both
financially and spiritually, and with other legal problems
rearing their ugly heads, we didn't record another album till
'92. However, we still remained strong on the live circuit.
In the summer of 1992, we began recording a new album. The
sessions began with Teddy Cook, ex DIO & later GREAT WHITE
member on bass, and concluded with Rob DeMartino, on bass.
Rob had played previously with Bobby Rondinelli, (ex RAINBOW,
DORO, SABBATH drummer), in a band that also featured Bobby's
brother Teddy on guitar, and their sister Dorothy on keyboards,
and was appropriately called - RONDINELLI.
That band also featured at one time the late great Ray Gillen,
as a member, and before Rob joined them, ironically enough
Teddy Cook was their bass player. (What a tangled web we weave.)
(I hope all this is making sense.) (Pay attention there will
be a quiz later, & maybe you’ll win a Sword!!!) As
fate would have it, I had known Rob for several years, we
met when I came by one day to jam with RONDINELLI, (this is
getting out of hand). Anyway, they had wanted to know if I
was interested in joining their band, but as I had just finished
recording the 'AGE OF CONSENT' album, I was totally committed
to VIRGIN STEELE.
Later on however, I played with Rob in a short lived band
that sprang up in 1990, called SMOKE-STACK LIGHTNING, which
featured Jack Starr on guitar, and Craig McGregor from FOGHAT
on bass. After Craig left, Rob filled in for the remaining
gigs. It was a good band, too bad we never recorded anything,
though there is a live video floating around somewhere. Whew!
! ! . . . Enough of my long windedness - - - -
As I was saying, the subsequent album, 'LIFE AMONG THE RUINS',
was released in March 1993, and that summer we completed a
headlining tour in support of it in Europe. In 1994, I felt
an abundance of energy and creativity and I came upon the
idea to do a double album. Thus the concept of 'THE MARRIAGE
OF HEAVEN AND HELL (PARTS I and II) was born. I told our new
label T&T RECORDS / MODERN MUSIC RECORDS about my idea
and they were very excited. I wrote about 30 songs on my own,
and Edward and I wrote another 25-30 songs together. For the
project we chose the best of these. The recording sessions
began as a trio, with me, Edward and Joey, as Rob had been
asked to join Ritchie Blackmore’s new RAINBOW. (It's
strange how our paths keep crossing with RAINBOW. Come to
think of it - I also jammed with them on keyboards, when I
was 17 years old.) Sorry for digressing again! ! !
Anyway, it was much easier to work as a three piece, than
finding a new bass player. It was just like the 'CONSENT'
album, only this time Edward played all of the bass tracks
except 'WARRIOR'S LAMENT', which I played bass on.
The first part was completed and released in January 1995
and has proven to be a real favorite with the fans. Some say
it is even better than the classic 'NOBLE SAVAGE'. A tour
was planned for April with URIAH HEEP and we came over to
Germany only to find that their singer Bernie Shaw had injured
himself in a bizarre bicycling accident and the tour had to
be re-scheduled for September. We were disappointed, but we
knew we'd be back. Oh and as consolation, we did get to play
one headlining show in Hamburg at the Grosse Freiheit.
Ah yes, guess who was back with us for that tour, and the
subsequent September tour, our old friend Rob DeMartino returned
to the fold. If you saw us in September through October, then
you know this already. You may have also noticed that Joey
Ayvazian is no longer with us, though he does appear on most
of the tracks on 'PART II'. He decided to retire, so he could
sort out other areas of his life. We all wished him well,
there are no hard feelings, he's a great drummer and human
being.. Perhaps he will go back to his first love - inventing
things.
Our new drummer is Frank Gilchriest, we refer to him as 'THE
BARON', for he is a true medieval Lord of the drums! ! ! Frank
appears on three songs on 'PART II'. These songs were recorded
just these past few months. OK, if Rob is back then why isn't
he on 'PART II', you may ask? Well, due to prior commitments,
Rob unfortunately was unavailable at the time of our recording.
Once again Edward played bass guitar and I played keyboard
bass. We're becoming quite proficient at this. Rob will hopefully
play on the next album.
'THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND HELL . . . REVISITED'
PART I and PART II can function as two independent releases,
but upon closer examination, you can also see the thread that
binds the material together. Musical and lyrical ideas return
transformed and disguised, or blatantly recapitulated. There
is a sense of closure yet the search for truth, answers, justice,
etc., continues. Vengeance is fulfilled, what is lost is found,
that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. We will all
achieve our Immortality, Divinity, and the quest for Beauty,
Honor, and Dignity is maintained with courage in the face
of extreme adversity.
INVICTUS, is the final chapter in this Trilogy, a primal
scream of pure rage full of Power & Majesty that one can
arm oneself with to combat the ills of the world!!! Incidentally
it charted at number 47 on the German long play charts.
VIRGIN STEELE, is currently enjoying a period of greater
success and high critical acclaim for the release of the First
True-Metal Opera, "THE HOUSE OF ATREUS "ACTS I &
II. This sophisticated and orchestrally advanced take on the
Metal scheme, has also been successfully translated to the
Theatrical stage. This work which premiered on June 3, 1999,
under the title: KLYTAIMNESTRA-DER FLUCH DER ATRIDEN, has
accumulated over 50 performances, and shows no sign of stopping
or slowing down at this time!!! A Wonderful Fact, these "ATREUS"
albums reached number 24 on the GREEK long play charts!!!
In addition, due to the success of this Epic piece, we recently
staged "THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL/INVICTUS Trilogy-Opera!
The premier was June 7, 2001 in Memmingen, Germany once again.
January through March 2001, saw the band on a full scale
European jaunt which proved to be our most well received tour
thus far! Upon the return Stateside, I began preparing the
Special stage mixes for all the music used in the presentation
of HEL-ODER DIE REBELLEN, the much anticipated second "Metal-Opera",
based (as mentioned earlier), on THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN &
HELL & INVICTUS albums! Yes, again this Premier was highly
successful!!! I attended as I did at the first "Opera",
accompanied by the Amazing local Harley-Biker Chapter of the
City of Memmingen. And yes...I did burn the Sword once again!!!
This second Metal-Opera has done approximately 30 performances
to date and will be revived again, along with the "ATREUS/KLYTAIMNESTRA"
work. A new "METAL-OPERA", is set to be introduced
again in Memmingen, in 2003!!! Stay tuned for more madness!!!!!!!
(This is to be based somewhat on Ancient Sumerian Myths and…current
Life experiences, and the endless conflicts & joys between
Men & Women, from the earliest days in the Garden to now
and of course…beyond!!!!) The Premier for this work onstage
will be June 2003! The album itself will follow a bit later.
January 2002, brings us the release of two albums. One titled,
"THE BOOK OF BURNING" and the other ..."HYMNS
TO VICTORY". THE BOOK OF BURNING, features 8 new/unreleased
songs that were written during several different time periods.
Some originated in 1985/86 (the NOBLE SAVAGE Era), others
from 1997 (the INVICTUS Era). Regardless of when those songs
were originally conceived, I re-wrote them all, during the
Summer of 2001, and recorded them then as well. The other
eight songs are from the first two VIRGIN STEELE albums. These
newly recorded versions are far superior to the originals.
They contain a much more confident, commanding presence, and
are bursting with all the experience we have gained over the
years! The lineup for these recordings are, myself on vocals,
keyboards, bass, orchestration, Edward, on guitar, Frank Gilchriest
on drums, and also the new addition of Joshua Block. Josh,
played bass on the European Winter Tour 2001, which we recently
completed. He can be heard playing bass on several tracks
for THE BOOK OF BURNING and ... also 6 & 7 string guitars
on several tracks. (See the Booklet for an in depth listing
of what is happening) And last but not least, Frank Zummo
who replaced Frank Gilchriest during the previously mentioned
European Winter Tour 2001, can be heard playing drums on 3
songs. Yes, the VIRGIN STEELE Family is growing! All members
enjoy and enormously respect each other, and each other’s
contributions! No overblown egos here!!! It’s great!!!
HYMNS TO VICTORY, the other release mentioned, contains classic
tracks from the NOBLE SAVAGE album up to the present day’s
selections. It is not the usual run of the mill Anthology/best
of ....!!! I have taken the liberty to Re-master all the songs,
as well as re-mix several and provide different/alternate
versions of a few. (Check out the new acoustic version of..THE
SPIRIT OF STEELE for example)!!! "HYMNS" also contains
2 Bonus tracks, so all in all ... an interesting release!
In addition to all of that madness, this year I also managed
to re-issue for the first time ever on CD, VIRGIN STEELE 1,
and VS 2 (GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME). Both albums have been Re-Mastered
and both contain special Bonus Tracks, Liner Notes & Artwork!
In case you were wondering, our future plans include the
following: Two or three visits to Europe this year for several
Festival shows and also our long promised 3 hour tour shows.
USA shows are in the works as well!!! We will record/film
these concerts for ... a DVD/video project, and ... a Live
album!!!!!!! In addition to the afore mentioned new "Epic
Metal-Opera", we will also release a new studio album,
which might be more in the frame of ... let’s say ...
NOBLE SAVAGE or AGE OF CONSENT, where there is a certain concept
or thread binding the songs together, but … not necessarily
a story that one must follow all the way through. In short
a collection of kick ass songs/compositions!!! Whatever happens,
the coming years will provide many new & exciting chapters
both Musical & otherwise, to the VIRGIN STEELE Story!
Of this I am certain!!!
So in conclusion ...
We will never give up or go away. We will always remain.
The Spirit is still willing, the Flesh is strong, and the
Dream still lives on . . . How? With True Power and Grace.
The Thunder still calls and the Fire burns brighter than ever
in the eyes of every enchanted Hour. Why? Because I say it
is so, we will it to be, and so do you.
Until we meet again & Beyond, ... remain ... Forever
…INVICTUS!!!!!!!
BY THE HAMMER OF ZEUS,
DAVID D. DEFEIS
FAVORITE THINGS
CHARTS
David DeFeis
GROUP: VIRGIN STEELE
MUSICIANS NAME: DAVID DIONYSUS DEFEIS
NICKNAME: "THE LION", "YOUNG ZEUS"
ZODIAC SIGN: CAPRICORN
DATE OF BIRTH: January 4th
FAVORITE FOODS: RIGATONI FIORENTINE, PASTA CICCI, All ITALIAN
FOODS, JAPANESE, GREEK, MEXICAN. JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!!!
CAN YOU COOK? YES.
FAVORITE DISH TO COOK: "VESUVIUS ERUPTUS"- It is
essentially Rigatoni, Fiorentine, with hot sausage and tons
of crushed red pepper!!!
FAVORITE DRINKS: RED WINE, SCOTCH, BRANDY, COFFEE
FAVORITE MOVIES: THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW, HORROR HOTEL,
EXCALIBUR, The First HIGHLANDER, ANGEL HEART, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES
FAVORITE BOOK: "THE BOOK OF BURNING"!!!
FAVORITE AUTHOR: RAY BRADBURY, EDITH HAMILTON, RUSSELL HOPE
ROBBINS
FAVORITE SONGS: "NEVER AGAIN WILL YOU WEAR THESE LITTLE
PANTS" by Ed Norton and "FIVE DOLLARS FOR SOCKS"
by Felix Unger
FAVORITE ALBUMS: QUEEN II, LED ZEPPELIN 1, First BLACK
SABBATH Album
FAVORITE ALBUMS OR SONGS TO PERFORM OF VIRGIN STEELE:
Too many....KINGDOM OF THE FEARLESS, EMALAITH, A TOKEN OF
MY HATRED, I WILL COME FOR YOU...
BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE: Mostly all of them have been
great! Perhaps arriving in GREECE for the first time, via
ferry. The sun was just rising over the Mountains and I stood
on deck exclaiming..."I AM IN THE HOME OF THE GODS"!!!
WORST TOUR EXPERIENCE: Portions of the 1998 European Tour.
Some dates were plagued by unscrupulous characters.
A DREAM DATE: Any Oceanside experience with my Raven
haired Angel!
BEST VACATION: MONTAUK SUMMER 2000, 2001, 2002.... Eternal
Ocean Magick, Healing Charms of Sun and Moon.
FAVORITE COLOR: BLACK, SHADES OF EVENING/NIGHT
GENERAL DISPOSITION: MOODY, BLACK, SHADES OF NIGHT
MORNING DISPOSITION: ANGRY!
EVENING DISPOSITION: ANGRY, but...CALMER...I GET MY
BEST IDEAS AS THE WORLD GOES TO SLEEP & I WAKE UP.
ARE YOU FASHION CONSCIOUS? NOT EXCEPTIONALLY.
Frank Gilchriest
GROUP: VIRGIN STEELE
MUSICIANS NAME: Frank Gilchriest
NICKNAME: The Baron, The Kraken
ZODIAC SIGN: Cancer
DATE OF BIRTH: 7/10
FAVORITE FOODS: Italian, Japanese
CAN YOU COOK? No
FAVORITE DISH TO COOK: Cookies
FAVORITE DRINKS: Tea, Beer, Whisky
FAVORITE MOVIES: ON THE WATERFRONT, CASABLANCA, BIG
FAVORITE BOOK: Death Of A Salesman
FAVORITE AUTHOR: Shakespeare
FAVORITE SONGS: "The American National Anthem, Stairway
To Heaven
FAVORITE ALBUMS: Any Rush, Any Zeppelin, Master OF
Puppets, Piece Of Mind
FAVORITE ALBUMS OR SONGS TO PERFORM OF VIRGIN STEELE:
My Favorite album is Invictus. I perform all of them with
equal enthusiasm
BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE: Visiting the Acropolis
WORST TOUR EXPERIENCE: Losing my wallet.
A DREAM DATE: Five naughty girls and me on a yacht
in the Caribbean.
BEST VACATION: Paradise Island in the Bahamas. I love to
scuba dive.
FAVORITE COLOR: Green
GENERAL DISPOSITION: Unpredictable
MORNING DISPOSITION:calm
EVENING DISPOSITION: frantic
ARE YOU FASHION CONSCIOUS?: I’m the opposite of fashion
conscious.
Josh Block
GROUP: VIRGIN STEELE
MUSICIANS NAME: Josh Block
DATE OF BIRTH: 1/18
ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn
FAVORITE FOODS: Anything Italian
CAN YOU COOK? Sometimes
FAVORITE DISH TO MAKE: Lasagna!
FAVORITE DRINKS: Beer, red wine, tequila, and lots
of others with high alcohol content
FAVORITE MOVIES: Matrix, Terminator movies, Aliens
FAVORITE AUTHOR: Tolkien
FAVORITE SONGS: Can't decide
FAVORITE ALBUMS: Natural Born Chaos-Soilwork, Dead
Heart...-Nevermore, Divine Wings...-Symphony X
FAVORITE ALBUMS OR SONGS TO PLAY OF VIRGIN STEELE:
Invictus, Atreus 1 & 2
GENERAL DISPOSITION: Mostly pleasant
MORNING DISPOSITION: Miserable
EVENING DISPOSITION: Ready to Rock, Kill, and Slay!!!
BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE: My first tour with Virgin Steele,
winter 2001, all 2+ months of it!
WORST TOUR EXPERIENCE: Losing my wallet at Sweden Rock 2002
A DREAM DATE: A trip to the playboy mansion for a
night of wild endless sex!! Of course eating a world class
Italian dinner first with lots of bottles of wine.
BEST VACATION: Anywhere with a nice ocean beach
FAVORITE COLOR: Black
ARE YOU FASHION CONCIOUS? almost always
Edward Pursino
GROUP: VIRGIN STEELE
MUSICIANS NAME: Edward Pursino
NICKNAME: Van Dorian
ZODIAC SIGN: capricorn
DATE OF BIRTH: 01/03
FAVORITE FOODS: Salmon,any Italian dish, pasta, chicken and
baked potatoes.
CAN YOU COOK?: Yes
FAVORITE DISH TO COOK: meatballs and pasta dishes.
FAVORITE DRINKS: red wine, white wine, beer and champagne.
also diet pepsi.
FAVORITE MOVIES: Scarface, Exorcist, Rockstar,
FAVORITE BOOK: New York - The glory days
FAVORITE AUTHOR: Chris Brinster
FAVORITE SONGS: Ten years gone by Led Zep, Dream On by Aerosmith,
In the still of the night by Whitesnake and a million more.
WORST TOUR EXPERIENCE: sleeping in an airport in Toronto.
A DREAM DATE/PLACE: Hawaii
BEST VACATION: Aruba
FAVORITE COLOR: black
GENERAL DISPOSITION: positive
MORNING DISPOSITION: tired,hungry and pissed off
EVENING DISPOSITION: relaxed,inspired and ready for action.
ARE YOU FASHION CONSCIOUS?: Yes, I enjoy expensive suits and
black leather.
