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.

The Book of Burning
Studio album by
Virgin Steele
Released24 January 2002
Recorded1999 ("Conjuration of the Watcher"), June-August 2001
GenreHeavy metal, power metal
Length73:34
LabelT&T / Noise / Sanctuary
ProducerDavid DeFeis
Virgin Steele chronology
Hymns to Victory
(2002)
The Book of Burning
(2002)
Visions of Eden
(2006)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

According to the CD booklet, the album was recorded from June to August 2001, except "Conjuration of the Watcher", which was recorded in 1999 during "The House Of Atreus Act I" sessions.

This album contains primarily re-arranged and re-recorded songs taken from the first two Virgin Steele albums, published only in vinyl and at the time out of print. Also included are songs written at various points in their career which had never been released. Tracks 3, 5, 7 and 15 are re-recorded versions of songs that were written and demoed by David DeFeis and Jack Starr in 1997.[2]

"Conjuration of the Watcher" and "The Succubus" are two songs originally written in 1986 for the American all-female heavy metal band Original Sin on their debut LP Sin Will Find You Out, which were reworked and recorded by Virgin Steele in different recording sessions.[3]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Conjuration of the Watcher" (new song recorded during The House of Atreus Act I sessions)(David DeFeis, Edward Pursino)4:24
2."Don't Say Goodbye (Tonight)" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis, Jack Starr)4:42
3."Rain of Fire" (new song)(D. DeFeis)6:27
4."Annihilation" (new song)(D. DeFeis)1:05
5."Hellfire Woman" (new song)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)6:57
6."Children of the Storm" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)6:19
7."The Chosen Ones" (new song)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)8:04
8."The Succubus" (reworked song)(D. DeFeis, E. Pursino)3:15
9."Minuet in G Minor" (re-recorded version)(J.S. Bach)0:48
10."The Redeemer" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)5:42
11."I Am the One" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)3:48
12."Hot and Wild" (new recording of a previously unreleased song written during the Noble Savage sessions)(D. DeFeis, E. Pursino)4:05
13."Birth Through Fire" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis)0:39
14."Guardians of the Flame" (re-recorded version)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)6:44
15."The Final Days" (new song)(D. DeFeis, J. Starr)5:50
16."A Cry in the Night" (re-recorded acoustic version)(D. DeFeis)4:45

Personnel

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Band members

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  • David DeFeis - all vocals, keyboards, percussions, guitars, orchestration, effects, producer
  • Edward Pursino - acoustic and electric guitars, bass
  • Frank Gilchriest - drums

Additional musicians

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  • Joshua Block - bass, guitar
  • Steve Young - guitar, bass, programming, engineer, mastering
  • Frank Zummo - drums
  • Jim Hooper - backing vocals

References

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  1. ^ O'Neill, Brian. "Virgin Steele The Book of Burning review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  2. ^ "Virgin Steele - The Book of Burning". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
  3. ^ "Original Sin - Sin Will Find You Out". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2011-12-06.