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HELSTAR - THE KING OF HELL
AFM RECORDS / ROCK INC.
METAL TO INFINITY
It was a long wait for the new album and allow me to pronounce already that it was all worth waiting for! The 'number one' US Power Metal band released ''Sins from the past'' last year, a compilation of re-recorded Helstar classics that allowed James Rivera to strike back with a vengeance. This album was 'a killer' and along with everlasting tracks Helstar also represented two new songs; 'Tormentor' and 'Caress Of The Dead'. This was the prove that Helstar is alive again and they convinced me that the 'Gods amongst the gods' were ready to defeat the worldwide movement of true Metal! I was fortuned to see Helstar again in Europe at the Keep it True festival; at this point I was 100% sure Helstar was ressurected!
''The King Of Hell'' takes off with a threatening intro, soon followed by these typical Helstar arrangements. I suppose you know what I mean; finger fast riffs on a double bass drummed mid tempo rhythm session. The first high scream of 'upper god' James Rivera is a fact and this combination blows me away from the very first seconds! Man, how I always loved this band! I hear in this song an overdose of power, pure darkness, superb guitar solos and everything a fan of US Power Metal needs. I already bow my head very low for this much pureness in Metal. It is the beginning of a new masterpiece Helstar wrote for you and me. Helstar is the perfect example for what US Power Metal is standing for; an ideal mixture of Progressive touches, traditional Heavy Metal elements and plenty of thrashy riffs. It is the ultimate genre for fans of eighties Metal because it contains the best elements of all what made Metal so awesome twenty years ago. Helstar brings back a lot of memories to me but also creates the possibility for young and old to re-discover the forgotten boundaries in Metal.
Only a few songs are needed to make clear that Helstar decided to sound heavier than ever before! It seems that a lot of hidden aggression and anger are the driving force for this CD. It has always been a brand to play those incredible sophisticated fast riffs, mostly on mid tempo drums, but now we also hear fast and furious songs. Helstar gears often up to higher tempi and sounds so damn evil and enraged by it. At some moments they sound like a Bay Area Thrash Metal band. With for example 'The Plague Called Man' Helstar goes fast but as usual they're extremely technical! And those guitars, man, they're mind-boggling and staggering! Also some other songs are more vicious and faster than before. Does it makes Helstar less progressive? I don't think so and believe me if I say the new album will take you by the throat and has an incredible overwhelming effect. You can consider the new album as a mix between ''Remnants Of War'' and ''Nosferatu''. To me those are Helstar's ultimate releases although for me every release is at least rated 90/100.
With 'In my darkness' you can also hear amazing acoustic guitars and calmer arrangements with blistering drums and ripping guitars. Also 'Garden of temptation' delivers colossal guitar parts on varied tempi and it can be considered as a typical Helstar song! The entire albums needs time but I promise you all songs will be 'classics' after a few listens... Once again Helstar stands for complete and astonishing musicianship. The accurate arrangements are mixed with the ideal dose of power, melody and this CD is dark as hell! It's hard to pick a favorite song; all are superb and full of character. If you see these guys playing you have the feeling it is all so easy for them. But it isn't; these guys are artists that just released another piece of art, another monument in Metal's history!
Mind blowing vocals are of course 'the' trademark for Helstar. James Rivera is, in my opinion, the best Metal singer on earth and only some 'chosen few' can compete with him. He's a vocalist extraordinaire with an amazing throat. As usual you will hear vocal lines that are beyond any belief. 'James is God', don't you dare to doubt it!
After the first disbanding of Helstar, 13 years ago, James Rivera wanted to stay a professional musician but he suffered hard times. Next to this disbanding also the fact true Metal lost its attraction were responsible for it. During all those years James Rivera lent his voice to several bands (Seven Witches, Vicious Rumors, Killing Machine) and he formed new bands like Destiny's End and Distant Thunder. No matter how good all these bands were; none could compete with Helstar (let Destiny's End be the exception). The worldwide loyal fans, including me, begged James Rivera to come back with Helstar. Although he assured me, during a Seven Witches interview at Belgian Graspop Metal Meeting some years ago, Helstar will never come back he changed his mind! James, if you're reading this review; thank you so much for bringing our idols back! James Rivera can be proud because Helstar is the best band on this globe, they always were and they always will.
To me this is already 'the album of the year', without any doubt it is 'the come-back album' of the last few years! You can call me subjective but I don't really care. Helstar never let me down because throughout its existence the band has strove only for purity and excellence, crafting songs that embody everything for which good Metal stands for! Helstar will probably visit Belgium and Holland in a few months, taking part of the X-mass tour. Along with some other superb bands they will kick your ass. Be there and enjoy this 'must have'! My Points: 100/100 (Review by Officer Nice)