VIRGIN STEELE's DAVID DEFEIS Is Working On New Music: 'There's A Lot Of Stuff Already On Tape'

In a new interview with Maurizio Lyon Leone of LyonRock, vocalist David DeFeis of the cult U.S. metal band VIRGIN STEELE spoke about the possibility of a follow-up to the group's latest album, "The Passion Of Dionysus", which came out in June 2023 through SPV/Steamhammer. Asked if new VIRGIN STEELE songs are already taking shape in the studio or at least in his mind, David said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Both. There's a lot of stuff already on tape, and then there's a lot of stuff that's still there in the brain that I have not captured. So, yeah — everything. And what I'm doing now, in addition to everything else you see us doing, is I am slowly but surely finalizing all this new music into what would be the next record or so. So it's all being worked on at once."

Asked about the absence of longtime VIRGIN STEELE guitarist Edward Pursino from the band's recent live shows, David said: "He's alive and well, rest assured. He's healthy. He's good. He moved into another area of his life, and he doesn't really want to go on the road and all that goes on with bringing VIRGIN STEELE on stage. He'd rather be on the records and do that sort of thing. And I don't want anybody to be in the band to have it be a burden for them. I want them to enjoy doing it. So if he enjoys being on the records, [we will] still do that. And if and when he wants to go back on stage, he will let me know, and we'll do it. And it may happen. I don't know when or if, but the door is open. I leave the door open. If he wants to walk through and do it, he's more than welcome."

Regarding VIRGIN STEELE's current touring lineup, which will appear at the Luppolo In Rock festival in Italy next July, David said: "It's the same as it's been for the last one and before that. This era of the group has been very solid. Everyone is on board with it. So, you'll see me, you'll see Tommaso Vitali [on guitar]. You'll see Josh [Block on bass/guitar]. Josh is still on board. Josh has been with the band since 'The [House Of] Atreus' tour [2000]. So he's still on board. He's in the latest video. What you see in the latest video is what you'll see on stage, most likely, in the next shows. Matt [McKasty is on drums]."

For over 40 years, DeFeis has kept one of the most imaginative bands in the power metal genre on track with his excellent songwriting and charismatic voice. At the same time, DeFeis has never stopped evolving as a composer, musician and producer, updating his symphonic-tinged sound with exciting new influences. He has already accomplished this many times over with classics like "Invictus" (1998),"The House Of Atreus I & II" (1999/2000) and "Visions Of Eden" (2006).

Formed in 1981 by guitarist Jack Starr and drummer Joey Ayvazian, VIRGIN STEELE made its recording debut in 1982 with the song "Children Of The Storm", which appeared on the compilation "U.S. Metal Vol. II". Later that year, the band released its self-titled debut album. In 1983, VIRGIN STEELE issued its second album, "Guardians Of The Flame", accompanied by the EP "Wait For The Night", released in Europe as "A Cry In The Night". Starr left the band after "Guardians Of The Flame"'s release due to creative differences with DeFeis and was replaced by Pursino, whom DeFeis had known since forming a BLACK SABBATH cover band named MOUNTAIN ASH in high school. After a legal dispute over the rights to the VIRGIN STEELE name, Starr transferred ownership to DeFeis.

Press photo courtesy of Freeman Promotions / Steamhammer