Monday September 3rd will see the release of the brand new DVD / CD set “30 Years Of Hel” by Texan power metal giants Helstar. The release celebrates the band’s 30th Anniversary, and is the first foray by this classic power metal act, into the world of DVD.
With wonderful packaging and liner notes by the band, the set was recorded in their home town of Houston just last year, but celebrates a career in which the band has been an inspiration for many of the great names on today’s scene, including Metallica and Megadeth, just to name a few.
Singer James Rivera will be over with AFM in Hamburg on August 28th and interviews are booking now for times between Noon and 10pm UK time.
Helstar was founded in 1982 in the city of Houston, Texas and has gone on to become one of the longest running concerns in US power metal history with high goals and a legacy and reputation that is testimony to the original vision of all of the original members. With a singer like James Rivera (also a member of Vicious Rumors, Seven Wiches and Destiny’s End over the years) the band has retained a vocalist with a charismatic and distinct presence, which blends beautifully with the power of guitarist Larry Barragan and powerful licks of Rob Trevino, but it is the enormous technical skill, precision and unique, trademark sound that has become one of the keys to the band’s success and durability.
Since the very beginning, the band has released albums, which would influence generations; “Burning Star”, “Distant Thunder” and “Nosferatu” – all considered classics of the genre today and albums that influenced the likes of Megadeth and Metallica, were notable early releases. But Helstar has also been a busy live act touring throughout the 80’s with the likes of W.A.S.P., Keel, Savatage and Fates Warning, as well as with Dave Mustaine and Co. themselves.
After 5 years break, in 1995, the band would come back strong again with album “Multiples In Black” (produced by none other than Dave Ellefson), but it was to be 2001 before the real come back would begin when members Jerry Abarca, Russell DeLeon and Rivera himself assembled a powerful line up to perform at the Bang Your Head Festival in 2001, which then kicked off a huge US tour, an appearance at the Milwaukee Metalfest and the Powermad event held in Baltimore, before the band once again hibernated with only James appearing (at Keep It True in 2004) – as Helstar and ‘selected’ shows in Europe, with various line up’s, in Greece, Denmark, Italy and Holland.
2006 saw Larry, James, Jerry and Rob once again re-united with Russell though, and the result has been yet another burst of wonderful creativity and great European foray’s, including their UK live debut last year, which was witnessed by a large and very enthusiastic audience, some of whose memories of the band reached back to “Burning Star” itself. Studio-wise, a “Best Of….” album “Sins Of The Past” with 2 new tracks came first, then the first ‘full studio’ album in 13 years, “The King Of Hell”, which was accompanied by overwhelming reactions from the fan base and great reviews in the worldwide press. But the band then went one better with “Glory Of Chaos” in 2010, possibly one of their heaviest releases, but also one of their strongest….
Now it’s 2012, and time to once again celebrate the efforts of this great institution. Last year the band celebrated it’s 30th Anniversary in its home town of Houston and this is now presented here as “30 Years Of Hel”, a DVD and CD double package that fully celebrates this memorable event and one of Helstar’s best recorded moments.
Track listing :
2. Towards The Unknown3. Suicidal Nightmare
4. The King Is Dead
5. Burning Star
6. To Sleep Per Chance To Scream
7. The Plague Called Man
8. Evil Reign
9. Monarch Of Bloodshed
10. Winds Of War
Band:
James Rivera (centre) – Vocals
Larry Barragan – Guitar
Rob Trevino – Guitar
Mikey Lewis – Drums
Jerry Abarca – Bass
