Invictus

Invictus
Virgin Steele
Noise Records
(TT 0034-2)

There are plenty of bands attempting to obtain a certain sophistication with their music, such as adding classical components or basing their albums on folklore or mythology. However, most fall short of the mark set by Virgin Steele, a veteran act that has grown from blues-based rock into unadulterated power metal. Contrating most of their albums on Greek mythology, the band plays metal for the intellectually inclined.
Invictus is the conclusion to a three-part story, but can easily be enjoyed on its own. Considered to be one of their heaviest albums, it features fewer instrumentals and piano-based songs in lieu of heavy rapid drumming and well-bred guitar work.

The heart of the band is singer and poet David DeFeis, who possesses a powerful three-and-a-half octave range. There is a great duality in his voice, which either growls and huffs or soars to angelic heights. His falsetto is unparalleled, and can reach notes as high as a G sharp in the last octave of the piano keyborad. But his accompaning musicians are fantastic as well, especially Edward Pursino, whose mastery of the guiter is phenomenal.

The title track features a unique guitar and piano duel midway through, while "Mind, Body, Spirit" exhibits the band's duality by beginning with thrashing metal, only to end in a slow emotional fashion, proving that power metal can cross a wide range of emoitions. There is also the short "Vow of Honor," a song enhanced by DeFeis' stunning vocal range. Finally, there is "Veni, Vidi, Vici," a grandiose song that runs over ten minutes and features many operatic qualities, including an overly dramatic ending.
Invictus is a wonderful album with songs that drip with emoition, all furthered by a storyline torn stright from a Greek tragedy.

--Daniel Dees