The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I

Last updated
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1994 (Europe), February 8, 1995 (Japan)
Recorded1994
StudioMedia Recording, Babylon, New York
Genre Power metal
Length70:25
Label T&T / Noise
Producer David DeFeis, Axel Thubeauville
Virgin Steele chronology
Life Among the Ruins
(1993)
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I
(1994)
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part II
(1996)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
ImperiumiStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I is the sixth studio album by American power metal band Virgin Steele, released in 1994. It is the first part of a trilogy of concept albums, comprising also The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part II and Invictus , about the relationship between humanity and divinity. The songs of the album do not follow a storyline, but they were inspired by religion, mythology, poetry and the personal beliefs of lyricist DeFeis. [3]

Contents

De Feis and Pursino played all the bass lines on the album, after bass player Rob DeMartino had left the band. [4]

Track listing

All lyrics by David DeFeis, music as listed

  1. "I Will Come for You" (DeFeis) - 5:47
  2. "Weeping of the Spirits" (DeFeis, Ed Pursino) - 5:42
  3. "Blood and Gasoline" (DeFeis) - 5:31
  4. "Self Crucifixion" (DeFeis) - 4:03
  5. "Last Supper" (DeFeis) - 6:36
  6. "Warrior's Lament" (DeFeis) - 2:17
  7. "Trail of Tears" (DeFeis, Pursino) - 6:54
  8. "The Raven Song" (DeFeis, Pursino) - 5:00
  9. "Forever Will I Roam" (DeFeis) - 5:20
  10. "I Wake Up Screaming" (DeFeis, Pursino) - 4:36
  11. "House of Dust" (DeFeis) - 4:04
  12. "Blood of the Saints" (DeFeis, Pursino) - 4:48
  13. "Life Among the Ruins" (DeFeis) - 6:02
  14. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" (DeFeis) - 3:38

Personnel

Band members

Production

Related Research Articles

Labyrinth (band) Italian power metal band

Labyrinth is an Italian power metal band formed in 1991 in Massa, Italy. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002.

Virgin Steele

Virgin Steele is an American heavy metal band from New York, originally formed in 1981.

<i>Virgin Steele</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Virgin Steele

Virgin Steele is the eponymous debut album by New York heavy metal band Virgin Steele, released independently in 1982. This was the first album released by Music for Nations in Europe and was subsequently released by Mongol Horde Records and Maze Records in Canada. Music for Nations pressed 5,000 copies of the original LP. Sanctuary Records reissued the album on CD in 2002, with bonus tracks and some previously unreleased demos.

<i>Visions of Eden</i> 2006 studio album by Virgin Steele

Visions of Eden is the eleventh album by American heavy metal band Virgin Steele, released on September 8, 2006 via Sanctuary Records. The album is subtitled The Lilith Project - A Barbaric Romantic Movie of the Mind. It is a concept album based on Gnostic beliefs, which critically revisits the traditional Christian mythology about the creation of the Earth and the Biblical accounts of Adam and Eve.

<i>Age of Consent</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Virgin Steele

Age of Consent is the fourth full-length album by the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele. The album took eight months to complete, a change from Noble Savage which was recorded in only a few weeks, and was finally released in October 1988. It received scarce promotion and distribution by their small label, resulting in very low sales. The songs of this album follow in style and content the music of the previous album Noble Savage, adding a more polished sound and production. At the time of release, the band faced legal and financial setbacks that brought to the unofficial disbandment of Virgin Steele. Joe O'Reilly, although credited for playing bass on the album, was ill at the time of recording and was ghosted by DeFeis and Pursino.

<i>Life Among the Ruins</i> 1993 studio album by Virgin Steele

Life Among the Ruins is the fifth full-length studio album by US heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It was released in 1993, after almost five years of inactivity. The song "Snakeskin Voodoo Man" was present only in the American release and was instead released as a single in 1992 in Europe, at the same time of the VHS Tale of the Snakeskin Voodoo Man. The VHS featured videos for "Snakeskin Voodoo Man", "Love Is Pain", "Invitation-I Dress in Black" and "Cage of Angels-Never Believed in Good-Bye", interviews and backstage footage. The music of this album is bluesy hard rock and melodic metal, more similar to early Whitesnake's recordings than the epic power metal of albums like Noble Savage and the following The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I. This is the first album with bassist Rob DeMartino, who replaced Joe O'Reilly, retired from the scene.

<i>Invictus</i> (Virgin Steele album) 1998 studio album by Virgin Steele

Invictus is the eighth studio album from New York-based power metal band Virgin Steele. It is the third part of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell saga, exploring the relationships and conflicts between humanity and divinity. The album's name is Latin for Unconquered.

<i>The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part II</i> 1995 studio album by Virgin Steele

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part II was the seventh studio album by American power metal band Virgin Steele and it was the second of three albums in "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" series. It was mostly written and composed by David DeFeis and Edward Pursino. It is a well received album for its romantic and lyrical approach and its being a major influence on symphonic metal.

<i>The House of Atreus Act I</i> 1999 studio album by Virgin Steele

The House of Atreus Act I, released in 1999, is the ninth studio album by the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It has the subtitle A Barbaric-Romantic Opera. This album is the first part of a metal opera inspired by the Oresteia, a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus which concerns the end of the curse on the House of Atreus. The music was intended to be the soundtrack for theatrical shows, with actors impersonating the characters of the tragedy. The metal opera was actually performed under the name "Klytaimnestra - The House Of Atreus" in European theatres from 1999 to 2001, with the production of the Memmingen Opera House company and Landestheater Production.

<i>The House of Atreus Act II</i> 2000 studio album by Virgin Steele

The House of Atreus Act II, released in 2000, is the tenth studio album by the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It was released as a double CD album. This album is the second and final part of a metal opera inspired by the Oresteia, a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus which concerns the end of the curse on the House of Atreus. The music was intended to be the soundtrack for theatrical shows, with actors impersonating the characters of the tragedy. The metal opera was actually performed under the name "Klytaimnestra - The House Of Atreus" in European theatres from 1999 to 2001, with the production of the Memmingen Opera House company and Landestheater Production.

<i>Metal Massacre</i> 1981 compilation album

Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as the Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Virgin Steele, Hellhammer, Voivod, Armored Saint, Lizzy Borden, Possessed and more.

<i>Guardians of the Flame</i> (album) 1983 studio album by Virgin Steele

Guardians of the Flame is the second album from New York power metal band Virgin Steele, released in 1983 by Music for Nations. Sanctuary reissued the album in 2002 with songs previously released in the EP Wait for the Night, a live recording, and an interview with the band.

<i>Noble Savage</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Virgin Steele

Noble Savage is the third studio album of the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele, released in 1985 by Cobra Records. The album was reissued in 1997 on CD by Noise Records with six bonus tracks. The remastered edition of 2008 by Dockyard 1 added two other extra tracks. In May 2011, the album was reissued once more by Steamhammer Records, a subsidiary of SPV with the same track list as the 1997 release, but with an added bonus CD containing 13 additional tracks.

David DeFeis American musician

David DeFeis is an American singer, keyboard player, songwriter and producer. He is the main composer and leader of the heavy metal band Virgin Steele.

<i>Wait for the Night</i> 1983 EP by Virgin Steele

Wait for the Night is an EP released in 1983 by the heavy metal band Virgin Steele promoting the album Guardians of the Flame. This EP was released in Europe by Music for Nations with a different cover, a different track listing and the name A Cry in the Night. It is the last release of the band with guitarist Jack Starr.

<i>Magick Fire Music</i> 2000 EP by Virgin Steele

Magick Fire Music is an EP released in 2000, by the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele, promoting the upcoming full-length album The House of Atreus Act II.

<i>Hymns to Victory</i> 2002 compilation album by Virgin Steele

Hymns to Victory is a compilation album of the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It was released in January 2002 by Noise Records, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the band, together with the album The Book of Burning.

<i>The Book of Burning</i> 2002 studio album by Virgin Steele

The Book of Burning is an album by the American heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It was released in January 2002 by Noise Records to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the band, together with the compilation Hymns to Victory. The Book of Burning caused a controversy between founding members David DeFeis and Jack Starr about the format of the recording, with the result of Starr renouncing any involvement in the production of the album and in other reunion projects.

<i>The Black Light Bacchanalia</i> 2010 studio album by Virgin Steele

The Black Light Bacchanalia is the twelfth album by New York heavy/power metal group Virgin Steele, released via SPV/Steamhammer on October 22, 2010 in Germany, Austria & Switzerland, and the rest of Europe on October 25, 2010 & on November 9, 2010, in the USA.

Nocturnes of Hellfire & Damnation is the thirteenth album by New York heavy/power metal group Virgin Steele, released via SPV/Steamhammer on June 19, 2015.

References

  1. Reesman, Bryan. "Virgin Steele The Marriage of Heaven & Hell review". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  2. Jussi Kallinen (2009-02-16). "Levyarviot: Virgin Steele - The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell part 1 (reissue)". Imperiumi. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  3. Ramas, Clara (2003-03-07). "Interview to David DeFeis". Virgin-Steele.com. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  4. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I (CD sleeve). Virgin Steele. Berlin, Germany: T&T (TT0012-2). 1994.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)