Having missed these guys at Keep It True X due to tiredness (shocking I know, but it was a long drive!), ‘Helstar’ are back in recording mode after a long hiatus since their last studio album in 1995. Tagged as US Power/Speed Metal, don’t get confused with the power metal that you hear nowadays, this is classic metal from Texas pure and simple!
‘The Plague Called Man’ thunders into action, fast riffs, high vocals, thankfully the style of James Rivera (‘Destiny’s End’ & ex-‘Seven Witches’) has never swayed over the years, whilst the band themselves maintain the spirit of their earlier releases. One thing that stands out for me on this album is the drums, they are very audible in the mix and you can appreciate fully the footwork of Russell DeLeon who strikes those bass pedals persistently throughout the album. Previous fans of this band will not be disappointed, all the elements are still present, even their famed lyrical subjects still relate to the battle with Satan himself. ‘Tormentor’ and ‘Caress of the Dead’ (which featured on a best of album as new tracks last year) are two stand-out tracks for me along with the album title track.
Admittedly, it did take me a couple of listens to the album to get into it, the first listen just washed over me, now it has become one of those infectious albums that you can’t stop playing! ‘Wicked Disposition’ is a speedy powerhouse, whilst the opening riff to ‘Pain Will Be Thy Name’ is a neck snapping experience with a galloping arrangement that would make any thrash/speed metal fan happy, with a differing vocal style.
‘The King of Hell’ is an album filled with complex riffs and thoughtful lyrics, whilst maintaining their dignity and not bowing down to any other style than that for which they are famous for. Welcome back, now let’s see some more live shows, especially in the UK.
http://www.myspace.com/helstar
http://www.helstar.com
http://www.afm-records.de
