Helstar began it's quest in 1982 with co-founders James Rivera (vocals), and Larry Barragan (guitar) along with a line-up that included Tom Rogers (guitar), Hector Pavon (drums) and Paul Medina (bass). By 1984 the band had signed with Combat Records and recorded its first album entitled 'Burning Star'. Hailing out of the Houston area, Helstar became a cult favorite in the US power/speed metal circuits.

BURNING STAR (1984, 1999) CENTURY MEDIA

Originally released on Combat Records in 1984, Helstar's debut album came out when heavy metal was just starting to get big, and several subgenres were popping out. Released a year prior to both Helloween's 'Walls Of Jericho' and Agent Steel's 'Skeptics Apocalypse', both considered to be of the more significant released spawning the speed metal subgenre, I'd say that Helstar might have been the first, at least on a whole album. Then again, 'Burning Star' is just as much US power metal as it is speed metal, so I digress. What this album is though, is great! James Rivera (or Bill Lionel as he names himself here) wails and screams like always, setting a memorable voice to the unique music. What sets this band apart from the rest of the scene was their ability to write complex stuff that didn't sound complex. Listen to the riffs and the solos on 'Burning Star', and I bet you you will have your jaw on the floor in a heartbeat. But complex does not equal progressive when it comes to Helstar. Instead of having hundreds of time changes in each song, they just keep hammering through the songs, and the let the instruments play around the vocals. It's simply impressive. But while songs like "Run With The Pack" and "Leather And Lust" are classics, even better things were to follow from this band. This Century Media reissue comes with lyrics, and liner notes from Bill, ehhh.... James Rivera.

Killer tracks: Towards The Unknown, Run With The Pack, The Shadow Of Iga, Dracula's Castle

A DISTANT THUNDER (1988) METAL BLADE (Limited Edition # 1663)

Helstar were already on their 3rd full-length album in 1988. André Corbin (guitars) and Frank Ferreira (drums) are new members, and this is where the band found their winning formula. Not that this is their best album per se, but this is definitely the speed metal for which this band got know later on. I've always thought that James voice brings an epic feel to everything he sings on, and 'A Distant Thunder' is no exception. His voice can lift up just about any dull song, and make it sound good. Not that Helstar writes dull songs here, far from it. I'm just saying that James' really brings something to this mix that this band could not have been without. If you like your metal fast, yet with enough hooks to sink a whale, this band if for you. What sets this band apart is their ability to get the best out of their instrumentalists. They write catchy tunes, yet with rather complex playing. The variety in the material borders on being progressive, yet it never loose that speed metal feel. "Abandon Ship" is a good example of a tune that holds everything I've tried to explain here, and then some. Absolutely friggin' top notch! Still, as much as I like this disc, nothing could prepare me for what was to come later on......... "He's A Woman, She's A Man" is a Scorpions cover. I own the Classic Series reissue of this CD. And as with the Lethal - 'Programmed' CD I have in the same series, I have no clue as to how many copies were issued. But I have #1663.

Killer tracks: The King Is Dead, Bitter End, Abandon Ship, Scorcher, Winds Of War

NOSFERATU (1989) METAL BLADE/ENIGMA

Helstar enjoys cult status amongst the fans of US power metal. And 'Nosferatu' is largely the reason why. This is hailed by most fans as their best album, and listening to the CD today soon makes you understand why. The band really hit their pinnacle here, and the album is flawless! James Rivera sings his lungs out, and the rest of the band sounds like they all were born to record this album. What makes this album stick out though, is the neck breaking speed, combined with classical influenced songwriting. No, this is not neo-classical metal, yet the brother part of the songs are filled with breathtaking guitar-wizardry, creating a sound that is clearly inspired by the "metal" of centuries gone by. The album starts with an acoustic guitar-intro that steeps headlong into this speed metal riff frenzy, setting the tone for the rest of the album right away. They don't let up one bit until the beautiful "The Curse Has Passed Away", but even this "ballad" contains parts of blinding speed. Some might even debate that Helstar played thrash metal on this release. They certainly played faster than many of the bands in that genre. But to me they are firmly rooted in the power/speed metal section. About half of the album is conceptual, telling the story of Dracula. This album belongs in any metalheads collection!!

Killer tracks: A masterpiece has only killers, no fillers.

MULTIPLES OF BLACK (1995) MASSACRE

Helstar return 5 years after the ingenious 'Nosferatu' album. This time with a brand new line-up. Only the singer and bass-player are the same. Apparently the band struggled both with members, and with record companies, during these 5 years. The music is still in the speed metal variety, but there is something missing here. The tracks are just nowhere near as good as was the case on prior releases. And neither the technical skills, nor the classical influences are present. That is not to say that this is a bad album pre se, it just doesn't rank as high as the older material from this band. If this had been their debut, it would have caused a riot. And what other bands released speed metal this good in 1995? I dare say none! Not every track is fast and furious though. "Reality" is actually a ballad. And "Beyond The Realms of Death" is, yes you guessed it, a Judas Priest cover. And a darned fine one at it! "Save Time" reminds me of the Norwegian cult act, Witchhammer. What lifts this album the most is James great voice. The man is a legend, and here you can clearly hear why.

Killer tracks: No Second Chances (In The Angry City), Good Day To Die, Black Silhouette

THE JAMES RIVERA LEGACY (2001) IRON GLORY

HELSTAR Sirens Of The Sun Changeless Season Social Circle Scalpel And The Skin VIGILANTE Sinister Deity Rage In The Wind Black Silhouette Skies Nightmare Extraordinaire Changeless Season Lost To Be Found, Found To Be Lost

Line-up HELSTAR: James Rivera - Vocals Larry Barragan - Guitar Jerry Abarca - Bass Aaron Garza - Guitar Russell DeLeon - Drums   Line-up VIGILANTE: James Rivera - Vocals Aaron Garza - Guitar Rob Trevino - Guitar Russell DeLeon - Drums Jerry Abarca - Bass

What an unusual way of getting acquainted with a band. My first CD by Helstar turns out to be a compilation of 2 demos the band recorded in the middle of their career. The Helstar tracks were recorded in 1990. But when they did not get anywhere with this demo founding member Larry Barragan left the band. The rest of the band continued, but now going under the name Vigilante. They recruited a new guitarist, and recorded a demo-tape in 1993. But as grunge where the thing at the moment, this demo also failed to get this new band anywhere. In 1995 the band once again returned, now taking back their initial Helstar name. The music on this CD is quality US power metal. I prefer the Vigilante tracks over the Helstar ones. Notice also that one of the songs were recorded by both bands, but that writers credits are different on the 2 tracks. Both demos are very well produced, and this adds to the feel that this is one cool collectors gem.

Killer tracks: Sinister Deity, Black Silhouette Skies, Nightmare Extraordinaire

SINS OF THE PAST (2007) AFM

Who would have thought that we'd hear some new material from Helstar, after the failed reunion during the mid-90's? I'm really glad they have managed to get it together this time around. Members include 3/5 of the bands classic line-up, and also 4/5 of the line-up that recorded a demo in 1990. 'Sins Of The Past' is, like the title suggests, a compilation album of sorts. But the band went into a studio and re-recorded everything, giving these old classics a fresh and revamped sound. Usually I get ambivalent feelings towards these kind of compilations. It's not always a god thing to go back and mess with such classic songs, songs that are a part of many fans upbringing. Sometimes this works out for the better, like Testament's 'First Strike, Still Deadly', or Saint's 'Warriors Of The Son'. But other bands have failed miserably with this sort of thing. I'm glad to say that Helstar succeeds. Most of this bands earliest records had quite a rough production, and while I never let that take away my love for the band, it is still great to hear the best songs from that era with top notch sound. 'Sins Of The Past' is a showcase is US power/speed metal, and it's really a shame that these guys didn't get more recognition. The band have also recorded 2 brand new racks for this CD. "Tormentor" and "Caress Of The Dead" are awesome, and blend in nicely with the older material, and I am filled with so much hope for nay future new albums from Helstar! The video section on the CD includes a making-of documentary, and various interviews with band members. But the low resolution on the thing makes it almost impossible to watch. And quite frankly, it wasn't all that interesting anyway.

THE KING OF HELL (2008) AFM

After 13 long years we finally get a new Helstar album. The 2 tracks on the 'Sins Of The Past' re-recorded compilation album showed a lot of promise, and left my expectations high. 'The King Of Hell' does not disappoint! This is American power metal without even the slightest modern influence. It's like time stood still, and we're still writing 1988 on our calendars. Expect galloping guitars, stomping rhythms and high-pitched wailing vocals. Again, this is a more straight forward effort than, say, the technical speed metal monster that is 'Nosferatu'. But it's still very much a Helstar package. If I were to complain about anything her, it would be that the songs sounds a bit similar, and that the production could have been heavier. Just listen to the new songs from 'Sins Of The Past' (featured as bonus tracks here as well) and compare them to the re-recorded versions on 'The King Of Hell'. The original versions sounds much heavier. I'm also not sure why Helstar have chosen such a dark lyrical approach. Not that I have read up on too much of the lyrics, but the obvious occult flirtations is unnecessary, in my opinion. Gripes aside though, this is still a stellar power metal effort that any true metal head should pick up for their enjoyments sake.

Killer tracks: The King Of Hell, Tormentor, Wicked Disposition, Caress Of The Dead, In My Dakrness