It's a bit confusing, but there are two simultaneous Virgin Steele releases, commemorating twenty years on record. Book is an attempt to rework David DeFeis' favourites from the original two albums and EP (which have yet to be released on CD, although soon to be), as well as eight previously unreleased tracks, from varying eras of the band's history. Hopefully the final (non-promotional) version will include liner notes, explaining from whence they came. Hymns is a proper 'Greatest Hits' package (minus the pair of earliest releases), featuring re-mastered versions, alternate mixes and two additional new tracks. Having finally gotten around to recording the long dormant material, The Book Of Burning songs all bear the mark of current Virgin Steele. Most are galloping numbers, devoid of the classical/operatic flirtation of DeFeis' four disc Greek tragedy, House Of Aetreus. 'Conjuration Of The Watcher' opens the disc and uses some synthesized brass fanfares, whereas 'Rain Of Fire' incorporates piano. 'Hellfire Woman' slows the gallop to a grittier pace. The classic 'Don't Say Goodbye (Tonight)' has been punched up a bit, yet retains the vocal trills of the original. More orchestration is evident in the new version of 'Children Of The Storm' and a regal 'The Redeemer'. 'The Chosen Ones' and an embarrassingly dated, party anthem, 'Hot And Wild' didn't stir any passion, but 'The Succubus' is a welcome, guitar-driven newbie. It's easy to hear why most of these failed to make the initial cut. 'Guardians Of The Flame' and the newly acoustic 'A Cry In The Night' are still great songs, which can now hopefully re-enter the live set! Tinkering with established songs is risky business and given Hymns To Victory is supposedly the best loved material from Noble Savage to the present, retooling these cuts could be seen as tantamount to treason. Time will tell. The 13 track disc is nearly 80 minutes long and the pair of new tunes are in the final third. 'Saturday Night' is nothing special, another party anthem, but on 'The Mists Of Avalon', DeFeis is accompanied only by acoustic guitar. A more cohesive album than The Book Of Burning, it serves as a good introduction to the band, without collecting all the recent multi-part outings.