This one is not the new Virgin Steele record, it is a best of composed of 13 songs.

All albums of Virgin Steele are more or less covered, even though I would have chosen different songs. On the other hand, this one is a 78 minutes history ride full of glorious and majestic songs : Flames Of Thy Power, Invictus, Through The Ring Of Fire, The Burning Of Rome, I Will Come For You, Noble Savage ... .

While some songs have been re-mastered, others are alternate mix. Plus, there is two previously unreleased songs :
1) The Mists Of Avalon - a ballad - Mr. Defeis said "It is definitely a different side to us, and is something I hope to explore more later on."
2) Saturday Night, this song reminding me very much the Unmasked Kiss record.

So Mr Defeis, has it been difficult to choose a tracking list ? "Yes it was !!! I actually organized about 5 different versions of that album. It is quite difficult, when you only have 80 minutes to fill, and the songs are quite long! I would have liked to have done "Hymns To Victory", as a double CD. Then it might have been easier, because I could have put on all the Favorites, plus all the Bonus things as well. When we do our Live album, we will hopefully make it a triple set so nothing will be left off !!!"

Let's hope Virgin Steel 3CDs live will come very soon and will be as good as the Iced Earth live one. Next week, I will talk you about the other "new" Virgin Steele album The Book Of Burning. Released also in January 2002, it features the best songs from Virgin Steele I and Guardians Of The Flame chosen by David DeFeis himself and re-recorded with the current Virgin Steele line-up. The album will also feature eight previously unreleased bonus tracks ...