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Review: Helstar - Sins of the Past
Helstar
www.facebook.com/Helstar.Metal
Sins of the Past

Label: AFM Records
Year released: 2007
Duration: 62:52
Tracks: 13
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: November 12, 2007
Reviewed by: Bruce Dragonchaser
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.15/5 (83.08%) (13 Votes)
Review

One might have their scorning cynicism, but this my friends, is a collection of re-recorded classics by the newly reformed Helstar, the pioneers of ruthless, brutal US Heavy Metal. Now, many will no doubt feel that James Rivera and crew are merely milking the reunion cash cow by releasing this compendium of metal classics, but unless you're staunchly devout to those original albums that spanned the 80s, then this will be a very worthy addition to your collection, and it actually serves as a terrific introduction.

This, in essence, is a prelude to the forthcoming studio album the band have decided to record for AFM, and keeping in line with that decision are the two new tracks on offer; "Tormentor" and "Caress of the Dead", both of which are nothing short of fabulous and fit in beautifully with the rest of the material. As you can deduct from the track listing, all the arms in Helstar's cannon are included here, although there are some debatable exclusions. For those who have never run across the Texas war machine before, they play the kind of fist-pumping Heavy Metal you beat your wife to. Searing riffs; lighting-bolt solos, chaotic drumming, and shrieking high vocals are the order of the day, courtesy of Rivera, Barrangan, Trevino and co. While most wish Rivera would focus on Vicious Rumours - and his many other projects - his soaring dominance is as good as ever on "Sins of the Past", although it's not quite Destiny's End ("Transition": his finest hour.) The crushing production is sublime, and the songs sound tighter and more aggressive than ever, with a razor-edged guitar tone that cuts through like a butcher's knife. The perfect preface for Helstar and a history lesson in thrash-laced Heavy Metal, "Sins of the Past" is mandatory for the casual metaller; it might not be perfect variety-wise, but it sure does the job, and I'll tell you one thing; I'm dying to here that new album. All hail burning star!

More about Helstar...
Review: A Distant Thunder (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Black Wings of Solitude (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Clad in Black (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Glory of Chaos (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: Glory of Chaos (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Nosferatu (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Remnants of War (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: The King of Hell (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: This Wicked Nest (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Vampiro (reviewed by Bruno Medeiros)
Review: Vampiro (reviewed by MetalMike)
Interview with vocalist James Rivera on November 20, 2016 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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