Interview with David DeFeis (Virgin Steele)
Well, the re-releases of Virgin Steele classic albums "Noble Savage" and "Age Of Concent" was reason enough for me to ask David DeFeis, mainman of the band, a few questions about those re-releases and beyond...
metal-almanac:
After the release of the last Virgin Steele album "Visions Of Eden" in 2006 your old record company decided to close the German office in Berlin and all bands supported by this office more or less lost their deal. Now you have found a new company in DY1 and the first releases are the reissues of two of the classic Virgin Steele albums: "Noble Savage" and "Age Of Consent". What has happened in the meantime and why did you choose to reissue these two albums?
David DeFeis:
We didn’t lose our deal. It simply ran its course and we decided to move on. We decided to go with DOCKYARD 1, because we know the principle team there, and have always had a great rapport with them. It was like coming home, because we had worked with various members of the Company when they were at Sanctuary and even before at Noise Records. It feels great because they are as excited about the future as we are.
We decided to re-issue NOBLE SAVAGE & AGE OF CONSENT, because the agreements for them had recently run out, and once an album is out of print bootleggers step in, and we did not want that to happen. In addition we wanted the albums to be available for future generations of Fans, that is why we will also be issuing more of the Catalogue shortly. We will next re-issue THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL PART 1, THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL PART 2, and LIFE AMONG THE RUINS albums. We will add bonus tracks and augment the packaging, re-master...etc.
Currently we are recording various bonus tracks and re-mastering those Works I just mentioned, as well as writing and recording what will be the next two new VIRGIN STEELE albums. I have written quite a bit of music, and I want to record it all.
metal-almanac:
The reissue of "Noble Savage" comes with a different cover while the original cover is only shown in the booklet on a pretty small photo. Didn't´t you have the rights to use the original cover - which is pretty cool in my opinion - or what is the reason for this?
David DeFeis:
Yes I do have the rights. The reason we used another cover was simply because I could not find the original slide for the cover artwork in time. That was a stressful moment! Have no fear...the original has since been found.
metal-almanac:
When I listen to some tracks on "Noble Savage" nowadays it seems I can hear what was later to become the classic Virgin Steele sound which is more orchestral compared to the rawer sound before. For instance, the end of the title track reminds me of the later work on the "The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell" albums. Would you also say that "Noble Savage" and also "The Age Of Consent" was the birth of the typical Virgin Steele sound? And is one reason the addition of Edward Pursino on guitars as the successor of Jack Starr?
David DeFeis:
Those albums do feature an example of what was to come later and be developed further. Tracks like THE BURNING OF ROME, NOBLE SAVAGE, ANGEL OF LIGHT etc...were where we really wanted to be musically speaking, and yes we did explore that style in greater detail on the albums that came after. However, I believe that the foundation for that Epic style was visible right from the beginning. In certain sections of songs like Guardians Of The Flame, and Children Of The Storm for example, some of those orchestral elements were already shining through. I had always wanted to achieve that full on Metal/Orchestral sound from the beginning, and with the addition of Edward in the group, I finally had a guitar player who could actually play all of the things I was writing. I had written NOBLE SAVAGE & ANGEL OF LIGHT before Edward joined the band, but the previous guitarist was not able to play those tracks.
metal-almanac:
While "Noble Savage" is to me an album which has a constant flow, "The Age Of Consent" doesn´t offer this flow to the listener. After listening the new edition I seem to have found the answer: in my opinion the cover versions "Stay On Top" by Uriah Heep and "Desert Plains" by Judas Priest don´t seem to fit in between the Virgin Steele tracks, which became more obvious to me with the addition of another Judas Priest cover versions in "Screaming For Vengeance". Why did you choose to put two cover versions on the original release and why did you add one more on the reissue? Do you agree that the cover versions are a break in the flow of the album?
David DeFeis:
No I don’t agree with you. I feel and so do the rest of the group, that our versions of Stay On Top & Desert Plains do have a connection, or a similar feeling or mood, along side songs like On The Wings Of The Night, or Chains of Fire...etc...I even stated such in the liner notes. They all contain a certain desperate quality and have that sensual lust & longing kind of vibe. The second Priest track "Screaming For Vengeance" was added, simply because we had never issued it in that form before, and we wanted the Fans to receive a nice surprise. "The Curse"...doesn’t really have that much in common with the other songs on the album, but again...it was put on to provide something new and interesting for the Fans. They are bonus tracks, and they come at the end of the album...They are the last 2 tracks, so again...no I feel fine with the flow of the Work. Desert Plains was a bonus track from when we last re-issued AGE OF CONSENT, so it made sense for us to provide the companion "Screaming For Vengeance" track this time out. Stay On Top was part of the original release when it came out. It is the first cover song we ever recorded. I had brought a copy of the URIAH HEEP album "Head First" to the studio, and on a break I played it. Every one liked it, so we quickly worked up an arrangement. It has fire & energy and fits well with the tone of the album, as it is defiant and empowering.
metal-almanac:
Will there be more reissues of Virgin Steele albums on DY1, maybe of "Life Among The Ruins"? Are there more tracks in your archive which haven´t been releases before and which are waiting to be released with following reissues?
David DeFeis:
Yes I am preparing them now as I mentioned above. Yes there are some more tracks that are waiting to see the light of day and the dark of night. So far all is going well and sounding quite interesting...
metal-almanac:
Let´s talk about the real successor of "Visions Of Eden": when can we expect the release of a new album? Is there anything planned? Have you recorded new songs yet? Will there be an album in the tradition of the classic Virgin Steele albums or what can we expect?
David DeFeis:
Yes there is something planned. We hope to issue a new album between January and March of next year...if all goes well. There are already many songs recorded and still more are being worked on each day. Expect the unexpected...It will be honest, sincere, from the heart, and performed with all the energy, fire, power and passion that we possess.
metal-almanac:
What is still missing is a DVD. Are there any plans for a DVD release? Will it be a concert DVD or a package with more material, e.g. a history, video clips and things like that?
David DeFeis:
Yes. Always...we are always recording, filming, cataloguing...We do hope to issue a proper historical perspective DVD over the next year...It will feature onstage, offstage, behind & below the stage, at home, in the News...all sorts of things. We want it to be everything a Fan could possibly want.
Thank you!
You're very welcome! Cheers & all the very best to you...
BY THE GODS,
David DeFeis
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AVIAN-Interview
After the release of Avian´s debut album I asked guitarist and band leader Yan a few questions. Here we go...
metal-almanac:
Yan, you started Avian back in 2002. Tell us something about what you did before.
Yan:
Like many other musicians, I was always in search of the right band situation for me. Unfortunately, I was never able to find quite the right group of guys who shared a common vision as well as similar tastes in music. Frustrated, I decided to go to university to get a degree and find a well-paying job. As I was nearing graduation, I began working on some songs, mostly just for the fun of it. The owner of the studio that I decided to record the songs in who told me that he was friends with David Ellefson and that he could ask him if he would be interested in producing my songs. Obviously, I was very excited by that and asked him to set up a meeting between David and myself. The meeting went very well and before long, we were in the studio working on a couple of songs together.
metal-almanac:
Give us a short overview on the history of Avian.
Yan:
Avian was born on my flight home from the Progpower USA III festival in Atlanta, Georgia. I was so inspired by the festival that I decided to write some songs and record them - sort of like my final attempt at becoming a professional musician. Within a couple of weeks I had one song completed and the outline of a few more. That’s when I met David Ellefson and we began working together. When the time came to find a singer, David suggested Lance King. They had known each other and had spoken of doing a project together at some point and this seemed like the right time to do so. When Lance joined us, things were really starting to get serious; what had intially begun as a little project of mine turned into a full on studio project with world class musicians within a few months. The next step was to find the right management; we signed with Intromenal Management and and they set out to find us the best possible record deals. When we saw that Massacre was interested, we were very excited because we felt that it would be a very good home for us. Having all of the details worked out, we finished the album, Massacre Records and Nightmare Records released it in October, and here we are ;-).
metal-almanac:
Why did it take you 3 years to bring out the debut album? Maybe because of the time you needed to find the right one for the job behind the microphone?
Yan:
It took 3 years because I had to write the album, find the right musicians, find the money to pay for everything, record around everyone’s very busy schedule, and last and certainly not least; get a record deal. If you look at it that way, 3 years is not so bad;-).
metal-almanac:
What are your biggest musical influences (bands and guitar heroes)?
Yan:
My favourite bands are: Iron Maiden, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, Megadeth, Savatage, Rush, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath (with Dio), Hammerfall, Blind Guardian, and a few others. My guitar heroes are: Criss Oliva, Rik Emmett, George Lynch, Kai Hansen, Glenn Tipton, and Brad Gillis.
metal-almanac:
How is it working together with David Ellefson – an experienced musician who was quite a long time part of a famous heavy metal band?
Yan:
The main reason that David and I began working together is because we both enjoyed it; it’s a lot of fun working with someone you like and respect. If it wasn’t fun for us, then we would not have done it. From my point of view, David is a great guy and a very talented musician and producer. His input was invaluable and I believe that the final product would not have been nearly as good as it is if weren’t for his expertise.
metal-almanac:
In the info sheet of the record company I read that at first David was to produce the album. Why did Lance then take over the producer´s job?
Yan:
Well that goes back to our initial meeting; at that point, it was basically just me and him and David was the obvious choice to produce. When Lance joined us, we agreed that he would do all of his vocals in his home studio in Minnesota. Since David and I both lived in Arizona at the time, we figured it would be best to split the project into two: Lance and Roger would take care of the vocals and guitar solos, while David and I were responsible for the drums, bass, rhythm guitars and keys. At that point, it was agreed upon that Lance and David would contribute in the production of the final album.
metal-almanac:
Is Avian a real band or just a project and we have to expect a new line up on the next album?
Yan:
Avian is most definitely a real band. When we began, no one really knew what was to come with Avian; we kind of just recorded a song or two every month or so without really talking about the future. By the time we had all of the recording done, all of us realized that we had something pretty special and decided to make Avian a top priority. The next album will have the same line up with the exception of drums; we will announce in the near future who our drummer will be.
metal-almanac:
Do the guys in the band make jokes on the name of the second guitarist (Roger Moore)?
Yan:
We all make fun of each other; especially when the person we joke about isn’t around ;-). As for Roger, I always tell him that he’s my favourite Bond ;-).
metal-almanac:
If there is anything I forgot to ask but you think is important to let us know about, here´s your chance...
Yan:
I think we pretty much covered everything. I’d just like to take a moment to thank all of our fans for the wonderful support and excellent feedback we’ve been getting about our album. Our main goal is to make music for people to enjoy and hopefully we’ve accomplished that. We are working on setting up some shows for 2006; once we have dates confirmed, we will post it on our website (www.avianband.com), so make sure you check it out and don’t forget to sign our guestbook!
Thank you!
Ralph
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KHYMERA-Interview
The first record to feature Dennis Ward as a singer and the slightly changed sound from progressive sound to more melodic rock was reason enough for me to ask als Khymera´s mastermind Daniele Liverani some questions...
metal-almanac: Daniele, the new album features a new singer in Dennis Ward. What have been the reasons for splitting up with Steve Walsh and how did Dennis join in then?
Daniele:
There were some problems with Steve that have lead us to this decision, initially he seemed to be very interested in this project and did a great job on the first album, but after the release he seemed to take some distance from the project and his participation to the promotion of the album was very cold and distant..., so we decided to search for another singer. I and frontiers records made some brainstorming to see who could have been the right singer for this project. I knew that Dennis had been doing great choirs for his productions since many years, and so togheter with Frontiers staff we thought to give him some songs of the new Khymera to test his potential on this project. The result was outstanding and also he was very happy to sing this record, so we decided for Dennis as new lead singer of Khymera.
metal-almanac:
For me the songs of the new album are easier to listen to than the songs on the first album. One can find an easier, direct access. Would you say that there has been a slight change from a bit more progressive melodic rock to pure melodic rock with more hooks? Was that intended or might that be a onsequence of the exchange of the singer?
Daniele:
Well, Steve is a legend and of course he's more a progressive rock 70' singer...Dennis sounds more 'real AOR' of the 80's and this probably fits perfectly the style of Khymera, especially for the new album songs....and that may be the reason for the more straight AOR sound you noticed. Steve is very personal anyway and I love the way he singed the songs of the first Khymera. I think that when a singer changes, the music is something different everytime, not better or less nice, just different. Of course we are talking about incredible talents, so it’s only a matter of tastes, not of quality.
metal-almanac:
Did the record company choose the songs that ended up on the album or did you have the main influence on that?
Daniele:
The selection has been made in collaboration with Frontiers staff, a lot of the contacts with these important songwriters have been offered me by the label of course. All the songwriters have been very nice and happy to provide songs for this project, and we started to check what songs could have been ok for this new Khymera record. I think that in AOR is very important to have the right songs to create a good record, and in reason of the fact the my personal vein is more into progressive/metal direction, for this project the best choice was to search for some collaboration that could have offered experienced songwriting. Then I tried to give my personal touch in the production process, together with the other musicians, to create the 'Khymera' sound and style applied to the cool song that we choose for the record. So the main decision on what song could have been fitting the track list of the new Khymera has been done in collaboration with all musicians and with the label.
metal-almanac:
Are you going to present the album live, especially in Germany? Maybe a tour?
Daniele:
That would be really great and I’m trying to make this happen. It will depend on how the marked will react to the release, but I’m definitely ready and enthusiast for this option.
metal-almanac:
What are the future plans according to Khymera? Will there be more albums with songs written by AOR/Melodic Rock songwriters or can we expect you and Dennis writing songs for a third album?
Daniele:
Well, it’s not excluded that some personal songwriting can come up in the future, even if my personal vein is more into a prog metal direction. I think that working on songwriting with Dennis could be a great experience and I would be pleased to do that. I don’t think I would be able to write alone real AOR tunes anyway....I’m more into prog metal actually....but I love playing and arranging/producing AOR so I’m sure there will be more Khymera albums in the future!
metal-almanac:
Leaving the world of Khymera now could you tell us how things are going on with Empty Tremor and, of course, the third and final part of the „Genius" opera?
Daniele:
Genius last episode 3 is definitely my focus at the moment. It's really been a long journey with this trilogy, keeping me busy since almost 2000. This time the vocal guests will include again the two main characters: Mark Boals (ex Malmsteen, RING OF FIRE) as Genius and Daniel Gildenlow (PAIN OF SALVATION) as Twinspirit32. Also there will be Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN) as Apikor, Toby Hitchcock (PRIDE OF LIONS) as Senator Jeramus, Eric Martin (TMG, ex MR.BIG) as Mr.Niko, Andrea Dätwyler (LUNATICA) as Kokeshi, Oliver Hartmann will be doing all choirs as usual, Philip Bynoe as Storyteller as usual. I hope to finish up all recording by the end of november 2005 with a release tentatively set for the spring 2006, so expect some explosive emotions for the final part of the trilogy! For me Empty Tremor is a little on hold now since I’m very busy on other projects, even if I know that the guys are writing material for a possible 4th album coming in the future...I don’t know exactly when it will happen anyway. On my solo side, I have also other plans coming on after the genius trilogy is completed...a brand new explosive line up that I've put together lately, but it's too early to tell the details about this. I just can't stop, I need to be busy!
metal-almanac:
If there is anything I forgot to ask but you think is important to let us know about, here´s your chance...
Daniele:
A huge thanks to all readers that are supporting the music scene and artists, it's important to be grateful to these fans especially today that music is living a difficult moment...
But I hope artists will survive and produce as much inspired music as they can!
Thank you and bye!
Ralph
