Band : Virgin Steele
Album title : The Black Light Bacchanalia
Label : Steamhammer - SPV
Distributor : Suburban - Bertus
Release date : 25/10/2010
Review : 2CD

Epic, melodic, barbaric, romantic and powerful are a few keywords to describe Virgin Steele. The Black Light Bacchanalia is not a hard album to get into as it is openly melodic and has an atmosphere that captures right away but it will demand something of the listener as it doesn't bloom completely before several focused listens. Fortunately it's worth spending the time with. The music is focused on capturing a certain atmosphere and succeeds. The songs don't loose impact with repeated listens but grow bigger. It combines the best from past works like Visions Of Eden and the House Of Atreus albums, while evolving in new fascinating directions. A variety of different instruments and string sounds enhance the sound so it becomes a swirling entity, rising and falling with the mood of the song. Lots of double-bass runs, swirling guitars and walls of keys with great production.

At its heart, the band is David DeFeis’ and whomever he seems suitable to come stringing along for the ride. His voice is delicate but able to hold its own in the heavier passages. He has a very enticing vibrato which is not overused and adds impact when it is released. Also belts out the interesting mythological lyrics with passion and energy. The disc boasts narration, chant, huge chorus and sweeping vocals deftly woven through the complex songs. It probably won't come as a surprise to many that this album contains lots of great ebony and ivory playing, cause creative master mind David DeFeis works every track out on piano. There are some spectacular shreds and great chops on the disc making it a real treat all the way around. The guitar leads by Edward Pursino never once get out of hand or detract from the song. The eleven songs, most of which have a meaty running time, have a tendency to open slowly, build momentum through several peaks and reach their pinnacle in a satisfying way. “To crown them with halos parts 1 & 2”, the title track and “Eternal regret” are good examples of how the songs grow and evolve. There are some great melodies in there, best found by leaning back, closing your eyes and floating away with the music.
 
From the fierce riffs on the faster songs to the beautiful, heart wrenching ballads, The Black Light Bacchanalia is bound to please all fans of epic bombastic metal..Overall a great album and another worthy addition to the Virgin Steele catalogue.

95/100

Cosmicmasseur.