Year : 2021
Style : Power Metal , Speed Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 213 mb
Bio:
Helstar is a heavy metal band from Houston, Texas, formed in 1982. They were an influential force in the American Power metal genre emerging in the mid-80s.Helstar began with a basic metal style in 1983 with 2 demos, followed by their first studio album in 1984 titled Burning Star for Combat Records, making them label mates with Megadeth and Exodus. Struggles within the band and management issues broke apart the band line-up.[citation needed] After a year they reformed and released the Remnants of War album, also on Combat, produced by Randy Burns.In 1987 they moved to Los Angeles with another line up change, with guitarist Rob Trevino departing, and it is believed that the song "Abandon Ship", from the 1988 album A Distant Thunder, was dedicated to his departure. Along with guitarist Andre' Corbin, Frank Ferreira was an addition to drums. They signed with Metal Blade Records and recorded the A Distant Thunder album produced by Bill Metoyer. After the departure of Andre' Corbin and Frank Ferreira, Helstar regrouped again and recorded a demo but gained no interest from the labels.Shortly after, Larry Barragan left the band to pursue other interests. In 1989 the band released Nosferatu, which many fans consider their greatest album. It was based on the early Dracula film and contained spoken sound bites from the movie. Between 1990 and 1993 Helstar released a few demos that failed to receive great recognition. In 1995 Helstar released a new studio album entitled Multiples of Black, but did not achieve the quality from earlier albums and fans consider it their worst release.The members of Helstar namely James Rivera cooperated in other bands between 1993 and 2002, Seven Witches for a short time in 1993, Distant Thunder in 1995 and Destiny's End. This was a super group put together by James Riviera that released two studio albums, Breathe Deep the Dark in 1998 and Transition in 2002. Helstar went through several reunions starting in 2001. These reunions were primarily organized by James Rivera and longtime bassist Jerry Abarca.Several live albums came out of this period, but the band was unable to produce any new material. In 2006, for the first time in over 15 years, James Rivera and Larry Barragan reunited and Helstar were officially declared musically active again. Along with Abarca, Rivera and Barragan, also reunited with the Remnants of War album were guitarist Robert Trevino and Eternity Black drummer Russell De'leon. This lineup has since released Sins of the Past, "a greatest hits collection" of re-recorded songs. A new album has been released with the Remnants of War line-up in 2008 titled The King of Hell.In 2013, Helstar announced that bassist Jerry Abarca would take an extended break from the band due to a stomach related illness.Mike Lepond was tapped to take on live bass duties for upcoming shows. Helstar will release their ninth studio album This Wicked Nest on April 25, 2014
Album:
HELSTAR is a Texas based heavy metal band. I joined Metal Temple in 2016—their 10th full length "Vampiro" came out that year and was one of the first albums I reviewed. I enjoyed it then and still do so to this day. I've been hoping for another full length but no such luck yet. Last year, the band put out a single entitled "Black Wings Of Solitude" which also included a cover of BLACK SABBATH's "After all (the dead)." The song is solid and the cover was decent as well—but I was left with wanting more.Flash forward to 2021 and February will see the release of this compilation entitled "Clad In Black." It isnt another studio full length but it is a neat package especially if you're new to the band. The first disc comes with the aforementioned "Black Wings of Solitude," two more original songs and three covers including the SABBATH one of which I spoke earlier of. The second disc is the "Vampiro" album. If you're a fan of honest to god straight up heavy metal then I highly suggest it. Despite their years and years of existence, the band remains in top form with youthful exuberance.For those who already own "Vampiro," the first disc is worth the price of admission. "Black Wings Of Solitude," is what some might call a ballad but it rocks well enough. The melody is great and the chorus is catchy. What's not to like? “Incarnation (Mother Of The Night)," is one badass song. The opening is bass heavy and gothic in nature. The riffs kick in and the song is gets nasty and sinister. Front man James Rivera continues to have a voice that could melt paint and wake the dead—-age means nothing to this guy.Once again, the chorus will be stuck in your head for days. At 4:23 the tempo kicks up a few notches and the band pushes through like a freight train. "Across The Raging Sea," is a more melodic song. James' vocals are very strong here and the drums are super tight and crisp. The songs mid portion is one part guitar solo and another part speed. The highlight is when James' voice goes nuclear for an ultra high note that blends into the guitar.I don't judge bands on cover songs but the ones here are serviceable. They wont blow anyone away but each one definitely sounds like Helstar had a blast working on them. Ultimately this is a great complication album for new and old fans alike. I hope they have another full length out soon!
Line Up:
James Rivera - Vocals (1982-present) - See also: Killing Machine, Malice, Distant Thunder, ex-Destiny's End, ex-Thrasher, ex-Vigilante, Children of the Grave, ex-New Eden, ex-Seven Witches, ex-Vicious Rumors, ex-Flotsam and Jetsam (live), ex-Masters of Metal (live), ex-Agent Steel (live), ex-Bad Heaven, ex-Chaotic Order, ex-Daggers Edge, ex-Malakis Reign, ex-Denim and Leather
Andrew Atwood - Guitars (2016-present) - See also: The Scourge, ex-Dark Empire
Larry Barragan - Guitars (1981-1995, 2006-present) - See also: Eternity Black
Garrick Smith - Bass (2014-present) - See also: The Scourge, ex-One Bad Apple
Michael Lewis - Drums (2004-2006, 2010-present) - See also: Distant Thunder, ex-Outworld
Tracklist:
CD1: Clad In Black
01. Dark Incarnation (Mother Of The Night)
02. Black Wings Of Solitude
03. Across The Raging Seas
04. Restless And Wild (ACCEPT cover)
05. After All (The Dead) (BLACK SABBATH cover)
06. Sinner (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
CD2: Vampiro (2016)
01. Awaken into Darkness
02. Blood Lust
03. To Dust You Will Become
04. Off With His Head
05. From the Pulpit to the Pit
06. To Their Death Beds They Fell
07. Malediction
08. Repent in Fire
09. Abolish the Sin
10. Black Cathedral
11. Dreamless Sleep
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
