Helstar – Metal with a capital M

Helstar is one of the big names in the US Metal. Even bigger was the pleasure when it became known that the (near) classical line up around vocalist James Rivera had regrouped. The band now faces a new challenge, this autumn the album The King Of Hell was released. And to answer a question before it’s asked: Helstar did a good job and have made a real classic album in the tradition of Remnants Of War and Nosferatu. But it doesn’t sound outdated or old-fashioned. On the contrary, the album sounds Metal. With a capital M!

When I had my first interview with you ten years ago, you had just started Destiny’s End. A reunion of Helstar was then lightyears away. Great that this has changed!
‘Yes, and it feels great as well,’ James says, ‘I’m very happy about the way things went the last two years, it’s good to be home, so to say.’

In between the Destiny’s End debut and this Helstar album are ten succesfull years. You were involved in many projects, such as Seven Witches and Vicious Rumours. Was it that clever, all those projects, when you look back?
‘Yes and no. It’s the way it is in this business. You have to stay active, otherwise you are forgotten immediately. I didn’t plan though to work with new musicians every time. But most of the times, after a release, problems arose, so I just had to close a chapter every now and then. But I can sy from the bottom of my heart that I have always given a 150% with every album!’

Did it take a long time before you could set yourself to writing new material for Helstar?
‘Not at all. It all went quite easily. Especially the two songs for Sins Of The Past were written in a tick. It made us aware about the potential we still have.’

But why have you chosen for a title as The King Of Hell?
‘Larry came up with the idea for this song. It was easy to write and it has a nice sound when it’s sung. Larry is not a satanist, don’t get me wrong, on the contrary I would say, he goes to church every Sunday! We wanted to give people something to talk about and considering the amount of emails we have received fom christian organisations, I must admit that we have succeeded. Ha ha!’

You have worked with many musicians during your career. Is it therefore special for you to work with Larry Barracan and Rob Trevino again?
‘The magic between us is special. It’s the way it’s meant to be.’

Compared to the first four Helstar albums, where does this album stand?
‘I can only pinpoint the reactions we have had so far on The King Of Hell, and in general they say that this is our best album so far.’

This should have been the album after Nosferatu, isn’t it?
‘I know what you are referring to, Multiples Of Black, am I right? Well, you are absolutely right. That album should have never been released under the Helstar flag. But it was what our record company wanted at that time. Even if nobody ever talks about it anymore, I will always feel ashamed of it.’

Isn’t it frustrating that Helstar will probably never have the commercial success it had?
‘Yes, a bit. You must imagine, our first album was an instant success. But I still think our music is good. And because nobody expects us to become that successfull anymore, we are more relaxed. We now write songs we all like!’

Will the old albums be re-released?
‘I would really dig that. But I’d rather have our current label AFM to buy the rights though from Century Media and Metal Blade. I don’t feel like doing promotions for our former labels and in the end not receiving the royalties. Re-releases? Yeah, lovely. But with AFM, please.’

So, you are all satisfied with your current label?
‘Yes, we are indeed. So far, so good. Okay, our budget for the new album could have been a bit bigger, but it wasn’t. That’s the way it is and we are treated fair by them.’

And? Touring plans?
‘Yes, we will hit Europe in December with Flotsam And Jetsam, Heathen, Monstrosity and some other bands.’

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