HELSTAR: Burning Star LP. MFN 20, 1st UK Press original 1984. PURE HEAVY METAL. Must have. Check audio + 3 video reviews.

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Description

There aren’t many genuine American heavy metal bands as unheralded as Texan power metallers Helstar. The group’s 1984 debut, Burning Star, helped pave the way for Americans to walk their own path. Different from but drawing upon vintage Iron Maiden, Helstar were efficient, heavy, and song-driven. But what really set the group apart—from Americans and Europeans—was the super-caterwauling of frontman James Rivera. His vocal range was impressive then, and upon revisit is impressive now. Key tracks are opener “Burning Star”, “Shadows of Iga”, “Dracula’s Castle”, and “Toward The Unknown”. While other American heavy metal acts were also starting out—Armored Saint, Dokken, Fates Warning, Jag Panzer, and Metal Church—it’s a damned shame Helstar went largely unnoticed. [1 of the top 10 Music For Nations Releases of All Time]

(Helstar ” Burning Star “)

Label: Music For Nations  MFN 20
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Heavy Metal
Tracklist
A1 Burning Star 3:48
A2 Towards The Unknown 4:42
A3 Witch´s Eye 2:58
A4 Run With The Pack 6:35
B1 Leather And Lust 3:24
B2 Possession 3:25
B3 The Shadows Of Iga 4:57
B4 Dracula´s Castle 4:50
Credits
Bass Paul Medina
Drums Hector Pavon
Guitar Larry Barragan, Tom Rogers
Producer Carl Canedy, Helstar, Oscar Pavon
Vocals “Bill Lionel” –> James Rivera is listed as Bill Lionel on this album.

Notes
Recorded and mixed at Sunrise Studios in Houston, Texas.


a video review:


Helstar “Towards The Unknown”:

“HELSTAR Burning Star” was produced by: Car Canedy, Oscar Pavon and Helstar, Walter O’Brien
This album was recorded at: Sunrise Studios, Houston, Texas
Record Label: Music For Nations MFN 20 / Combat Records

Record Format 12″ Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country 1984 Made in the UK

Bill Lionel (aka James Rivera) Vocals
Larry Barragan Guitars
Tom Rogers Guitars
Paul Medina Bass
Hector Pavon Drums

1984s Burning Star was the debut album from legendary underground metal band Helstar. Helstar was one of a number of American power metal bands that surfaced in the early to mid eighties that were highly influenced by the NWOBHM movement. Helstar as well as other bands like Omen, Warlord, Liege Lord, and to some extent Crimson Glory, Savatage, and Fifth Angel, built upon the foundation established by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and the rest of the British metal scene.

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Burning Star is vintage power metal, full of blazing guitar riffs, fantasy and occult-themed lyrics, and James Riveras glass-shattering vocals.

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When I re listened to Helstar I heard lots of Omen, a touch of Maiden, and even Riot. This Texas metal band has forever been overlooked within the metal scene. I think they were another band that was sorta stuck between the power metal and speed metal scene of the mid eighties. We, the kids were sorta looking for stuff that was faster, heavier and sicker in every way shape and form. Things were becoming extreme in the metal scene, and I think bands like Helstar were sorta lost in that. Its funny because I think as a metalhead I appreciated this one so much more 5-10 years after it came out. The record is a true metal album with NO hints of anything else…just pure 1980s heavy metal. Enjoy this one.

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One of the most important US-Metal albums without a doubt is the debut of HELSTAR. Released in 1984 it caught my eye with its great spaceship cover. It was something special that the Texans had to offer us. The extremely high vocals of James Rivera, who then had the pseudonym of Bill Lionel, was absolutely my cup of tea. The MAIDEN-touch was there, but still HELSTAR sounded pretty original, by the cranky vocals alone! Add to that unusual song-arrangements, like with “Toward The Unknown”, where I always have the feeling as if the song was out of tune. Or the “strange” chorus of “Run With The Pack” and the inhuman cries of “Witchs Eye”.

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My two absolute favourites are “Shadows Of Iga” with its divine hook-line and the tense “Draculas Castle”. Wait, I still have forgotten the title track and opener “Burning Star”, also an immortal classic! The other, also very good songs cannot keep up with that, but still there is not a single filler on “Burning Star”.

It is one of the most important US-Metal albums of all time and should be in every collection.


a video review:

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Weight 0.25 kg

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