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Helstar

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Helstar
Helstar performing in 2009
Helstar performing in 2009
Background information
OriginHouston, Texas, U.S.
Genres Heavy metal, power metal
Years active1982–present
LabelsCombat, Metal Blade, Massacre, AFM, EMP
MembersJames Rivera
Larry Barragan
Michael Lewis
Garrick Smith
Andrew Atwood
Websitehelstar.com

Helstar is an American heavy metal band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982 by guitarist Larry Barragan.[1] They were an influential force in the American power metal genre emerging in the mid-1980s.

History

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Early days and Combat era (1982–1986)

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Helstar began with a basic heavy metal style in 1983 with two demos, followed by their first studio album in 1984 titled Burning Star for Combat Records,[1] making them label mates with Megadeth and Exodus. Struggles within the band and management issues led to changes in the band's line-up.[1] After a year they released the Remnants of War album, also on Combat,[1] produced by Randy Burns. The band played their first arena show in December 1985 opening for Stryper at the Sam Houston Coliseum.

Metal Blade era (1987–1989)

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In 1987, they briefly moved to Los Angeles with another line-up change, with guitarist Rob Trevino departing, and it is believed that the song "Abandon Ship", from the 1988 album A Distant Thunder, was dedicated to his departure. Along with guitarist André Corbin, Frank Ferreira was an addition to drums. They returned to Houston in 1988, signed with Metal Blade Records and recorded the A Distant Thunder album produced by Bill Metoyer.[1] The band subsequently toured as openers for acts such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus, and Armored Saint.

In 1989, the band released Nosferatu, which many fans consider their greatest album. It was based on the early Dracula film and contained spoken sound bites from the 1979 adaptation.[1] Shortly after a tour of the album, the band recorded a four-song demo which did not gain interest from labels. André Corbin, Frank Ferreria, and Larry Barragan left the band in 1990 to pursue other interests, essentially ending the group for the time being.

Demos, Multiples of Black, and hiatuses (1990–2000)

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Between 1990 and 1993, Helstar released a few demos that failed to receive great recognition. In 1995, Helstar released a new David Ellefson-produced studio album, entitled Multiples of Black, but did not achieve the quality from earlier albums, and fans[who?] consider it their worst release.

The members of Helstar, namely James Rivera, cooperated in other bands between 1993 and 2002: Seven Witches for a short time in 1993, Distant Thunder in 1995, Chaotic Order in 1997, and Destiny's End. The latter was a group put together by former members of New Eden and joined by Rivera that released two studio albums, Breathe Deep the Dark in 1998 and Transition in 2002.

Reunions (2001–present)

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Helstar went through several reunions starting in 2001. These reunions were primarily organized by James Rivera and longtime bassist Jerry Abarca.

Several live albums came out of this period, but the band was unable to produce any new material. In 2006, for the first time in over 15 years, James Rivera and Larry Barragan reunited and Helstar were officially declared musically active again. Along with Abarca, Rivera and Barragan, also reunited with the Remnants of War album were guitarist Rob Trevino and Eternity Black drummer Russell De'leon. This lineup has since released Sins of the Past, "a greatest hits collection" of re-recorded songs. A new album was released with the Remnants of War line-up in 2008 titled The King of Hell.

In 2013, Helstar announced that bassist Jerry Abarca would take an extended break from the band due to a stomach related illness.[2] Mike Lepond and Garrick Smith took on live bass duties for upcoming shows. Helstar released their ninth studio album This Wicked Nest on April 25, 2014.[3] Andrew Atwood joined as second guitarist in 2016 and contributed to that year's album, Vampiro. The band's latest album, Clad In Black, was released in February 2021. Another album is in the works as of December 2023.[4]

Members

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Helstar at the Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, 2016

Current members

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  • James Rivera – vocals (1982–present)
  • Larry Barragan – guitars (1981–1995; 2006–present)
  • Michael Lewis – drums (2004–2006; 2010–present)
  • Garrick Smith – bass (2014–present)
  • Alan DeLeon Jr. – guitars (2024–present)

Former members

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Guitars
  • John Diaz (1981–1982)
  • Tom Rogers (1983–1984)
  • Rob Trevino (1985–1987; 2006–2016)
  • André Corbin (1987–1990)
  • Aaron Garza (1990–1996)
  • love D. Michael Heald (1994–1996)
  • Eric Halpern (2004–2006)
  • Andrew Atwood (2016–2024)
Drums
  • Hector Pavon (1983–1984)
  • Rene Luna (1985–1987)
  • Frank Ferreira (1987–1990)
  • Russel DeLeon (1990–2004; 2006–2009)
Bass
  • Paul Medina (1983–1984)
  • Jerry Abarca (1985–2014)

Timeline

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Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 167. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  2. ^ "Helstar Recruits Fill-In Bassist Mike LePond – in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  3. ^ "Helstar: New Album Title, Cover Artwork, Release Date". Blabbermouth.net. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  4. ^ "Helstar – New Album in the Works".
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