VIRGIN STEELE
“Guardians Of The Flame”
(The Anniversary Edition)
Album Review by Iron Mathew

10/10

Virgin Steele are a heavy metal band from the USA formed in 1981 releasing seventeen studio albums across a forty year plus career. The band was founded by guitarist Jack Starr, drummer Joey Ayvazian, bass player Kelly Nickels and singer David DeFeis…

…with DeFeis the only original member still in the band, the current Virgin Steele line-up consisting of guitarist Edward Pursino, bass player Joshua Block (Dividing Light) and drummer Matt McKasty (Dividing Light) alongside DeFeis.

Hot on the heels of the bands 2023 album ‘The Passion Of Dionysus’, 2024 has already seen the reissue of Virgin Steele’s self titled debut album, with the reissue of the bands 1983 sophomore album ‘Guardians Of The Flame’ released in tandem with the first. And just like the first re-release, DeFeis has included the additional sub-title “The Anniversary Edition”, the singer commenting “this too is a celebration. As I did with the ‘Virgin Steele’ reissue, every song on the album has been lovingly restored, re-mixed with faith, heart and STEELE”.

In addition to the re-mixed original songs featured on the 1983 release, ‘Guardians Of The Flame (The Anniversary Edition)’ also includes ‘I Am The One’, ‘Go Down Fighting’ and ‘Wait For The Night’ from the bands (1983) E.P. ‘Wait For The Night’. There’s also several bonus songs – ‘Chaos Caprice’ (from the original “Guardians” sessions), an alternate version of ‘Desert Plains’ and the brand new songs ‘Dirty Blonde Angel’ and ‘The Heaven’s Door Suite’ containing a re-written cover of the song ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’.

Overall, an excellent reissue that’s more than just another re-release, ‘Guardians Of The Flame (The Anniversary Edition)’ offers bonuses galore.

TRACKLIST

Don’t Say Goodbye (Tonight) – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Burn The Sun – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Life Of Crime – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
The Redeemer – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Birth Through Fire – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Guardians Of The Flame – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Metal City – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Hell Or High Water – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Go All The Way – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Chaos Caprice – (Piano Solo From The Original Guardians’ Sessions)
A Cry In The Night – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
I Am The One – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Go Down Fighting – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Wait For The Night – (Anniversary Re-Mix)
Desert Plains – (Alternate Version Bonus Track) 
Dirty Blonde Angel – (New Bonus Track) 
The Heaven’s Door Suite – (New Bonus Track)

http://www.virgin-steele.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VIRGINSTEELEOFFICIAL/

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