Burning Star (1984)
Helstar were one of the classic metal bands that I got into about 13 years after their debut. Coming from nearby Houston, I probably should have shown more Texas pride and picked this up upon release. But funds were short in my early days of college, and I didn't read anything that stated they were that much more original than any of the other bands emerging during that era. In hearing this album for only the second time, I can understand that sentiment from the metal journalists of the day. However vocalist James Rivera (known here as Bill Lionel) could scream with the best of them, and his unique approach definitely adds points. The guitar tones and production aren't particularly heavy, even for the era, but the riffs and solos are inventive. And they do manage to throw a few ideas in per song. One could argue that Fates Warning simply took Burning Star as a blueprint and upped the ante on the complexity for their breakout The Spectre Within release. Early classic metal like this still has a place in the collection.
Ownership: 1984 Music for Nations (LP). Different artwork than the US release.
10/19/14 (first listen); 12/23/24 (review)
Nosferatu (1989)
Helstar's 4th album is considered by many to be their masterpiece. Not sure I disagree, though I'm not all that intimate with the band's body of work. There's a compact progressive thrash component here mixed in with the power metal sounds of Helloween for example. No question, though, that James Rivera has one of the all-time great voices for heavy metal.
Remnants of War (1986)
Remnants of War is Helstar's second album. And is precisely the type of 80s metal I love - it's raw, heavy, inventive, a little messy, and extremely engaging. And... yes, progressive too as there's quite a bit of riff and tempo variety within each track. To my ears, Remnants of War sounds like a heavier version of Fates Warning's The Spectre Within, an album that remains one of my favorite metal albums ever. And James Rivera's soaring vocals even recalls John Arch at times. The relistenability factor is very high for recordings such as this.
Ownership: 1986 Combat (LP); 1999 Century Media Germany (CD).
Helstar's 4th album is considered by many to be their masterpiece. Not sure I disagree, though I'm not all that intimate with the band's body of work. There's a compact progressive thrash component here mixed in with the power metal sounds of Helloween for example. No question, though, that James Rivera has one of the all-time great voices for heavy metal.
Ownership: 1996 Metal Blade (CD). With full lyrics and a million "special thanks".
1997 (first listen); 4/19/20 (review)
Remnants of War is Helstar's second album. And is precisely the type of 80s metal I love - it's raw, heavy, inventive, a little messy, and extremely engaging. And... yes, progressive too as there's quite a bit of riff and tempo variety within each track. To my ears, Remnants of War sounds like a heavier version of Fates Warning's The Spectre Within, an album that remains one of my favorite metal albums ever. And James Rivera's soaring vocals even recalls John Arch at times. The relistenability factor is very high for recordings such as this.
Ownership: 1986 Combat (LP); 1999 Century Media Germany (CD).
12/4/16 (review)
12/4/16 (new entry)
A forgotten classic! Their best moment i.m.o. Unfortunately it was the lost second album, having less memorable songs than their excellent debut, BUT Helstar never sounded so "progressive" if you get my point. They bridge the gap between the Priest sound and proto-thrash in intensity & aggression, yet the song structures ain't that "easy on the ear". Their multiple riff changes guarantee that you need to listen to the damn album over and over again! Monster release.
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