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So thirteen years have passed since the last Helstar album, and now the aged Metalers finally come together, recording a follow up to Multiples of Black, an oft misunderstood album, wholeheartedly panned by critics and the seven people who bought it way back in the very non-Metal mid 90's. This critic (?) thought Multiples of Black was a nice record, given that the intro song "No Second Chance" remains one of the sickest Metal vocal intros ever, and a number of songs like "Black Silhouette Skies," "Good Day to Die," and "Will I Catch It Again" were well crafted songs with sticky choruses, and don't forget that awesome "Beyond the Realms of Death" cover. Review after review I've ever read about Multiples of Black beats on the same thing.... It's not like their first four classic records.
Well first off, when did Helstar release anything classic? I saw them headline at L'Amours in Brooklyn back in 2001 (give or take a year) and a strong crowd of about 13 people showed up to hear this blistering battery of classic Metal. Even in their heyday they were virtually unknown, even in the Metal community. Is it only in Metal that we want our bands to sound how they used to sound? I don't know how many times I've heard the following: "I wish (insert band here) sounded like they did on (insert album title here)". At times I find it disheartening. Maybe in my steadily increasing old age I'm growing tired of 'business as usual' and would rather hear something new and creative instead of something just like (insert album here).
Thus we are presented with Helstar's opus The King of Hell, a sonic Thrashy onslaught, similar to 1989's Nosferatu (so those who want that sound will be satisfied). However, the latest release is even heavier, faster, and more modern than anything they've ever done. Vocally, James Rivera proves that you can keep getting better. He's strong, emotive, and not all pitchy like the 80's version of Helstar, with great range and attention grabbing power. Dickinson did the same thing after his first Iron Maiden go round, he worked and really pushed his vocals and now sings better than he ever did on those Maiden classics (yes, Maiden has some 'real' classics). The same is true of Rivera, the vocals take the forefront, and he is what separates Helstar from the 8 billion other Power/Thrash Metal bands. He might not be the best singer, but there's a surreality to his vocal that in itself provides a distinguishing sound.
And let me not forget about the super intense riffing! Larry Barragan has been listening to some different stuff than he did twenty years ago. At moments they sound similar to Nevermore, like "Caress of the Dead" where Rivera goes ferocious, singing to the drum beat while crunchy guitars throttle underneath. Both "Pain" and "Tormentor" are fast hooky riff laden demons. Guitars abound, dueling, then gelling, all over the album. There are some great leads, and some crazy ones too, like the Slayer-ish "Pain Will Be Thy Name."
Here we have a super solid release, easily the band's best all around effort, dark, eerie, and certainly not as dated as I thought it would be. To be honest, I listened to The King of Hell thinking it would sound like Helstar's 80's stuff, thus easy to bash, and I love writing bad reviews. They're much easier to write... just like bad albums I guess. But, there's nothing to bash. It's a really good record and I would love to see them do it live. ...So I still need to find a record to bash, I'm in that mood. What should I review? ...I got it! The new Metal Church record - that can't be any good, though they did have about half of a 'classic' album.
| Tracklist |
| 1. The King of Hell |
| 2. The Plague Called Man |
| 3. Tormentor |
| 4. When Empires Fall |
| 5. Wicked Disposition |
| 6. Caress of the Dead |
| 7. Pain Will Be Thy Name |
| 8. In My Darkness |
| 9. The Garden of Temptation |
: 50:00
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