Bericht
door hellish star » di dec 04, 2007 8:19 pm
1.LORDS OF METAL
Als voorproefje op de in het voorjaar van 2008 te verschijnen nieuwe Helstar plaat, heeft platenmaatschappij AFM deze compilatie op de markt geslingerd, waarop buiten heropgenomen versies van een groot aantal van hun beste nummers overigens ook twee nieuwe nummers te vinden zijn. Als sinds hun debuut 'Burning Star' uit 1984 ben ik een groot aanhanger van deze uit Houston, Texas afkomstige band, met name vanwege hun vermogen om complexe riffs te verwerken tot prima nummers.
Natuurlijk is het altijd moeilijk om een keuze te maken uit je complete oevre en te besluiten welke nummers er op zo'n verzamelaar moeten komen en zo zal iedereen wel wat te zeiken hebben over de songkeuze. Zo verbaas ik me in hoge mate over het feit dat wereldnummers als 'Run With The Pack' en 'The Shadows Of Iga' van hun debuut nergens te vinden zijn. Maar ook zonder die klasse-tracks is er nog genoeg moois te vinden, wat dacht je van 'Baptised In Blood', 'Angel Of Death', 'Burning Star' en zo kan ik nog wel een tijdje doorgaan. Het feit dat alles opnieuw opgenomen is doet men name het oudere materiaal een stuk frisser klinken zonder de authentieke charme verloren te laten gaan.
De twee nieuwe nummers die aanwezig zijn, 'Tormentor' en 'Caress Of The Dead', beloven veel voor de te verschijnen nieuwe plaat en passen perfect in het reeds bestaande Helstar materiaal. 'Tormentor' wordt gekenmerkt door fantastisch riffwerk van Larry Barragan en Jerry Arcara, ondersteund door een zeer goed op dreef zijnde drummer Russel DeLeon en kent zijn hoogtepunt in het uitvoerige solo-gedeelte. 'Caress Of The Dead' is ook al zo'n knaller en doet qua intensiteit en klasse niets onder voor 'Tormentor'. Zanger James Rivera is gedurende de gehele plaat prominent aanwezig met zijn unieke zangstijl en drukt hierdoor een grote stempel op het totale bandgeluid.
Ondanks het feit dat mijn twee favoriete Helstar nummers niet op deze plaat vertegenwoordigd zijn, moet ik toch tot the conclusie komen dat deze 'Sins Of The Past' het beste is wat ik deze maand heb mogen recenseren. Ik kijk dan ook reikhalzend uit naar de nieuwe plaat van deze giganten en hoop dat deze net zo'n impact kan maken als hun debuut destijds in 1984. Aanschaffen, dames en heren!
Score: 89/100
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2. METAL TEMPLE
Well, this album should be rated with 11 on a 10 scale. Nuff said? No, it's not enough. Times have changed and - even if few 'new' bands have the dynamics of HELSTAR (in their halcyon days) - I feel it as essential to pinpoint the supremacy of this US Metal band. I used to yell at such (re)releases years ago, but viewing the 'era gap' between old and new metalheads I cannot sit out but applause the "Sins Of The Past" test drive. By all means, the anticipated 'normal' studio album by this legendary name (really, expected...when?) will be the judge. "Sins Of The Past" can, as well, act the teaser, to inform and to remind.
In their 80s career this Houston, TX, USA quintet released a foursome of beyond-classic albums: "Burning Star" (1984), "Remnants Of War" (1986), "A Distant Thunder" (1988) and "Nosferatu" (1989). Needless to say, if you claim you like 80s American Metal and don't own all these albums then you can as well proceed to the new NIGHTWISH album review. The astonishing vocals of James Rivera, the 'beyond belief' guitars of Larry Barragan (with Tom Rogers, Robert Trevino or Andre Corbin) and the (any lineup) demonic rhythm section highlighted HELSTAR's powerful approach to the legacy of IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH in the US Power/Epic Metal formula of those days.
Not to neglect the quintet's fifth studio release, 1995's "Multiples Of Black", it is obvious those first four albums are sculptured in the Metal book, no questions asked. So, using today's technology, the band - featuring Rivera, Barragan, Trevino and Abarca, meaning 80% of the "Remnants Of War" lineup! - proceeds to the re-recording of 11 songs of those days. Well, my only moan being the absence of the "Run With The Pack" eternal hymn, I was initially afraid the 'new era' machinery would disgrace the originals' magic in benefit of some attract-the-juveniles sound. Thankfully, nothing bad this way comes and...the HELSTAR glory is again unveiled in its entirety. Rivera's voice (as widely checked the last years through his DESTINY'S END/VICIOUS RUMORS/NEW EDEN/SEVEN WITCHES/FLOTSAM & JETSAM/KILLING MACHINE deeds - phew...) is as the good ol' wine. Nothing less. The rest of the players are in top notch form as well, plus the vibe is present and crystal clear (as the production itself).
And the story never ends. Two brand new songs are included in this kinda 'best of' compilation. "Tormentor" features a frenzy double-bass groove, with Rivera singing in his familiar 'epic' style, reminding me of the "A Distant Thunder"/"Nosferatu" days. "Caress Of The Dead" is even wilder, in an archetypal up-tempo vibe, featuring a kick-ass guitar riff work; shit, I love this band and I really really really hope the new album will be worth the wait.
Not many bands from that era are widely heard in our days. You think MANOWAR and SAVATAGE are the defenders of the 80s US Metal cult? Well, in this case you've never occupied yourself with the ascendancy of HELSTAR: a band that shows how 100% Metal music is performed form the soul. If you have money for all four albums, grab 'em fast and enjoy them in chronological order. You'll configure what 'evolution is not a sellout' means in Metal terms. Else, "Sins Of The Past" is an excellent way to learn some thing 'bout one of the undying prides of Metal music. That simple.
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3.METAL TO INFINITY
Yes!!!! Helstar is back! How I was happy like a little kid when James Rivera told me Helstar would replace the studio and the stages. 'The magic will return' he said and this sentence made me believe the kings of US Power Metal will show the Metal scene one thing, how disgraceful they were treated in the past as they deserved so much more respect.
With ''Sins Of The Past'' you should not expect a new album, the release of the entire newbie is scheduled for next summer, I can't hardly wait. On this album James and friends re-recorded some classic Helstar songs but they've added more power, a more modern sound (sometimes with grunts as backing vocals) and more heaviness. 'Angel Of Death', 'Baptized In Blood', 'The King Is Dead', 'Suicidal Nightmare'... in a super heavy version; what do you need more to break your neck?
This concept works perfect as I keep on listening to the album. A metamorphose is made for songs like 'Burning Star' and 'Dracula's Castle', as good and thrilling the originals were...this sounds breathtaking! The other songs are from the same (highest) level as the previous recordings and never seem to have lost their enchantment. I still hear shredding guitars, tremendous bass guitars, incredible drums and of course first class vocals, James is God! At first I was afraid for the re-recordings, but after a few listens I became addicted to this CD as the production is so heavy (so thrashy!). Helstar didn't lose their overwhelming effect on me and makes me hope their future is bright!
Helstar added two new songs on the disc and I can assure you it sounds very promising for the upcoming album. In vein of ''Remnants Of War'' and ''Nosferatu'' you can expect mind blowing vocals and pure Metal in all its beauty. James still knows how US Metal should sound!
Helstar will come to Europe for some festivals and I can't wait to see them on stage again. I hope they will come to Belgium, it has been more than 20 years ago they hit our ground as support act from Yngwie Malmsteen. Musical wise Helstar was one of the best bands in the eighties, now they're back they will remain this status. Be ashamed if you don't know Helstar, but believe me that if you're into True Heavy Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, shredding guitars and extraordinary vocals... it will take only a few seconds to convince you.
The US Power Metal gods are back, Helstar is their name! My points: 100/100 (review by Officer Nice)
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