Now here's a "blast from the past", of sorts -- these guys were part of the early 80's metal scene, first appearing on Metal Massacre III and recording that one album with the naked guy with his fist held high. When the metal scene vanished, so did this band...or so I thought, until they suddenly reappeared on the second Judas Priest tribute CD! In fact, they've become a PROG-METAL band, of all things, which of course makes them darlings of certain cult-like, prog-worshipping enclaves... (*cough* - Perpetual Motion - *cough*)

"The House of Atreus Act I"

1. "Kingdom of the Fearless (The Destruction of Troy)" (7:39)
2. "Blaze of Victory (The Watchman's Song)" (3:59)
3. "Through the Ring of Fire" (5:24)
4. "Prelude in A Minor (The Voyage Home)"--instrumental (1:13)
5. "Death Darkly Closed Their Eyes (The Messenger's Song)" (1:25)
6. "In Triumph or Tragedy"--instrumental (1:43)
7. "Return of the King" (4:24)
8. "Flames of the Black Star (The Arrows of Therakles)" (6:30)
9. "Narcissus"--instrumental (1:13)
10. "And Hecate Smiled" (2:57)
11. "A Song of Prophecy"--instrumental (2:16)
12. "Child of Desolation" (4:48)
13. "G Minor Invention (Descent into Death's Twilight Kingdom)"--instrumental (2:58)
14. "Day of Wrath"--instrumental (1:51)
15. "Great Sword of Flame" (4:29)
16. "The Gift of Tantalos" (1:56)
17. "Iphigenia in Hades" (2:01)
18. "The Fire God" (4:42)
19. "Garden of Lamentation" (1:47)
20. "Agony and Shame" (5:16)
21. "Gate of Kings" (3:45)
22. "Via Sacra"--instrumental (1:34)

Hmm, sounds a helluva lot like Manowar...which is ironic, since Manowar did their own overblown Greek epic on Triumph of Steel. However, this disc has several advantages: not only is it more than twice as long, these Steele guys actually have TALENT! Some prog-metal nuts will have you believe this is an essential classic...and though I haven't played it that often, I think they're overstating the case. Still pretty good, though.

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