THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL INDEED:
VIRGIN STEELE / ANGEL Double Headliner Bill at MULCAHY'S LONG ISLAND,
NY:
I arrived at the venue MULCAHY'S on the night of April 25th with
high hopes and great expectations. Though I had seen VIRGIN STEELE
perform before, I had not seen the Band in any onstage action since
perhaps....the mid 1990's! My job, and life in general conspired
to take me away from the Metal action for awhile. Anyway, with found
memories of my previous VIRGIN STEELE encounters ringing in my head,
I grabbed a drink and eagerly awaited the Group's arrival.
The top DJ Fingers, from our top Radio Station here WBAB, walked
out onto the large MULCAHY'S stage at 9:40 and the place went nuts!!!
Feelings, anticipation and hopes ran high this night for the "Homecoming"
of VS! Since the Band does not perform all that much in the States,
everyone, True Fans, Old & New Friends and Foes alike, were all
in attendance to see the boys. Fingers spoke about how when he first
started his FINGER'S METAL SHOP Program, VIRGIN STEELE was the first
group he ever interviewed.
After
prepping the crowd for about 5 minutes the lights dimmed and the
roar of doom filled the PA. A bizarre intro-tape with strange sound
effects, and voices of what sounded like demons from the crypt blasted
through the air. (I was told later that it was actually David....enough
said!). Exactly 3 minutes later in a barrage of Lights, hair and
fury VIRGIN STEELE made their Triumphant homecoming launching furiously
into INVICTUS! They did not ever let us down! WOW!!! They were more
powerful, more aggressive, more competent than I ever remembered
them being! They totally blew me and everyone I spoke to away! The
band were in top form and the crowd was with them every note and
gesture throughout. After INVICTUS the band launched into: THE FIRE
GOD, A TOKEN OF MY HATRED (which David dedicated to his enemies),
a very expressive GOD OF OUR SORROWS with just David's voice & Edward's
guitar, CONJURATION OF THE WATCHER from the about to be issued in
the USA, BOOK OF BURNING CD, followed by an Edward Pursino guitar
solo segueing into a vocal solo from David complete with a burning
sword! What could be next??? GREAT SWORD OF FAME of course, with
the band in raging form, leaping and working every inch of the stage.
THE WINE OF VIOLENCE was next followed by IN TRIUMPH OR TRAGEDY,
then RETURN OF THE KING, CHILD OF DESOLATION (beautiful and full
of pathos), BLOOD & GASOLINE, a gem from "The Marriage...", FLAMES
OF THY POWER, KINGDOM OF THE FEARLESS and then...the climax of NOBLE
SAVAGE! The place went completely ballistic by the end and I think
the band could have and perhaps should have played all night. Like
Black Gods of The Sun they were! Demonic and in total contrast to
the next act.
Alas
it was time for them to say good night and they bowed to thunderous
applause! ANGEL the great band from the 70's came on next and while
they were very good and are highly skilled it was a bit of a let
down after THE STEELE. VIRGIN STEELE play with such power, might
and energy combined with a great sense of theatrical display & talent
that anyone would have a hard time after their set. ANGEL were quite
angelic in all their white finery, and singer Frank Dimino still
possess a great and remarkable voice! I spoke with David briefly
after his set, (he and the band were busy signing CD's and talking
with fans & friends), and he said he really liked ANGEL and in fact
they were big heroes of his when he was a kid! He also said he was
very interested in going to go see them again, as he couldn't really
hear all of their set, what with talking with all the fans and such.
For me it was truly the power of the Sword Of The Gods! What a statement
to bring back to their homeland!!! A great night for VIRGIN STEELE
& Metal!!!
David Hilsenrath (words & pics)
P.S.:
It was a great joy, a pleasure and an honour for us to bring back
to our home, the VIRGIN STEELE Experience! I wish to thank the following
people for their help and cooperation in making this concert a reality:
Gail Flug, Danny Stanton, Fingers & WBAB, MULCHAY'S, Dave Hilsenrath,
ANGEL, and of course Each and Every one of our Fans, & Friends
who attended & witnessed what was for us a Magickal Night!!!
It isn't often that we perform on our Island/State, so I must tell
you I was a bit nervous, as I wanted this performance to come off
without any technical or human errors! I hope in the end this was
achieved. Judging from the very loud rumblings of the audience,
I think it was a success!
The warmth, the enthusiasm, the Magick out in the audience was....truly
amazing!!! I want to Thank All who were there!!! It is a show that
will live in our memories for a long, long time.
After the gig, I went out into the audience and signed CD's, shirts,
etc., as did the rest of the boys, and generally spoke with all
who were there. It was truly Magickal to be able to have the time
to actually visit a bit with those who enjoy the band!!! Again thanks
to all, and thanks also again to Dennis and his Lady, for the bottle
of Mead!!! I drank it last Night.....Great stuff By the Knowledge
of ODIN!!!!!!!
So in conclusion....I say, "CHEERS & HAIL LONG ISLAND,
SEE YOU AGAIN SOON"!!! BY THE GODS & GODDESSES,
DAVID DEFEIS
Demonic: David Hilsenrath (right) encountered Black Gods of the
Sun.
After
prepping the crowd for about 5 minutes the lights dimmed and the
roar of doom filled the PA. A bizarre intro-tape with strange sound
effects, and voices of what sounded like demons from the crypt blasted
through the air. (I was told later that it was actually David....enough
said!). Exactly 3 minutes later in a barrage of Lights, hair and
fury VIRGIN STEELE made their Triumphant homecoming launching furiously
into INVICTUS! They did not ever let us down! WOW!!! They were more
powerful, more aggressive, more competent than I ever remembered
them being! They totally blew me and everyone I spoke to away! The
band were in top form and the crowd was with them every note and
gesture throughout. After INVICTUS the band launched into: THE FIRE
GOD, A TOKEN OF MY HATRED (which David dedicated to his enemies),
a very expressive GOD OF OUR SORROWS with just David's voice & Edward's
guitar, CONJURATION OF THE WATCHER from the about to be issued in
the USA, BOOK OF BURNING CD, followed by an Edward Pursino guitar
solo segueing into a vocal solo from David complete with a burning
sword! What could be next??? GREAT SWORD OF FAME of course, with
the band in raging form, leaping and working every inch of the stage.
THE WINE OF VIOLENCE was next followed by IN TRIUMPH OR TRAGEDY,
then RETURN OF THE KING, CHILD OF DESOLATION (beautiful and full
of pathos), BLOOD & GASOLINE, a gem from "The Marriage...", FLAMES
OF THY POWER, KINGDOM OF THE FEARLESS and then...the climax of NOBLE
SAVAGE! The place went completely ballistic by the end and I think
the band could have and perhaps should have played all night. Like
Black Gods of The Sun they were! Demonic and in total contrast to
the next act.
Alas
it was time for them to say good night and they bowed to thunderous
applause! ANGEL the great band from the 70's came on next and while
they were very good and are highly skilled it was a bit of a let
down after THE STEELE. VIRGIN STEELE play with such power, might
and energy combined with a great sense of theatrical display & talent
that anyone would have a hard time after their set. ANGEL were quite
angelic in all their white finery, and singer Frank Dimino still
possess a great and remarkable voice! I spoke with David briefly
after his set, (he and the band were busy signing CD's and talking
with fans & friends), and he said he really liked ANGEL and in fact
they were big heroes of his when he was a kid! He also said he was
very interested in going to go see them again, as he couldn't really
hear all of their set, what with talking with all the fans and such.
