Helstar
This Wicked Nest
AFM Records
2014
Helstar are back once more with their ninth release, some four years after 2010s “Glory of Chaos” and what we have here is another gauntlet of heavy thrashing metal, waiting to be picked up. The “revived” Helstar have upped the aggression factor, ever since, the release of “The King of Hell” back in 2008 and this newer album, doesn’t stray from that path considerably… however, the band hasn’t lost its ability to infuse melody in their songs either, resulting in some sonically devastating numbers that simply attack your senses like a friggin swarm and don’t let go until you’ve completely surrendered.
First and foremost comes the crushing and politically charged “Fall of Dominion” that was released as a teaser, previous to the release of the album, which is mightily impressive with both its sense of melody by also its punishing double bass pounding and plummeting rhythms. James Rivera, sounds almost as impressive as he ever did, with the passing of years only making him slightly more hoarse, but that’s slightly noticeable as he still seems to be maintaining himself a cut above many of the competition, plus his voice is screaming “Metal”.
The ensuing “Eternal Black” (what a cliché “Metal” title) is a number that has a steady pace that’s not slow at all, but doesn’t ever erupt in ultra-fast histrionics, instead opting for making most of its skull digging main riff that’s pretty heavy and crushing. It also has a nice enough solo.
The title track “This Wicked Nest” is pretty decent and combines all the traits from before in a highly rhythmical mid tempo composition that would normally not avoid being called average if not, for the lead melodies and it’s rather nice chorus.
“Souls Cry” is based more on creating an atmosphere, but it doesn’t do so by keeping the pace and feel entirely constant, as it sort of shifts through different moods and alternates the rhythm somewhat to create some anxiety. I guess it’s pretty cool.
“Isla De Las Munecas” is a rather short instrumental track with some sickly “children’s laughter” at the opening and a generally quick, slightly syncopated rhythm... it’s another rather delighting tune!
“Cursed” is rather “different” as here James chooses to go for a clean vocal and things slow down considerably, to almost doom metal speeds, albeit, the riffs remain sort of heavy/power metal… it’s a rather haunting tune that pretty cool and possibly a nice change from the constant battery of the all out fast tracks that come one after the other at the beginning of the album.
“It Has Risen” returns to the more aggressive and faster style but doesn’t manage to impress much at least not until its final verses that seem to be a little better...
“Defy the Swarm” is another extremely punishing and brutal song with Rivera, almost sounding positively demonic at parts, bordering on “black metal” demonic growls between the halforesque screams, in the choruses… it’s interesting but a little “too hardcore” maybe…
Last but not least the mysteriously titled “Magormissabib” (ma’ gôr mis’ ? bib a name given by Jeremiah to Pashhur ben Immer, the governor of the temple, who had caused the prophet to be beaten and set in the stocks) is obviously a conceptual piece that draws inspiration from the old testament story and is a rather typical Helstar number that is probably the closest thing to Helstar of old as well... as close as they might come this day… it’s pretty good.
All in all, “This Wicked Nest” – the album – is slightly uneven, but has a lot of good moments and is unlikely to disappoint the long standing supporters and followers of the band, who like the band for what they are, since it doesn’t really mark any huge departures from the bands signature sounds and it maintains a decent enough level all around, as the band has pretty much done all the way throughout their career...
First and foremost comes the crushing and politically charged “Fall of Dominion” that was released as a teaser, previous to the release of the album, which is mightily impressive with both its sense of melody by also its punishing double bass pounding and plummeting rhythms. James Rivera, sounds almost as impressive as he ever did, with the passing of years only making him slightly more hoarse, but that’s slightly noticeable as he still seems to be maintaining himself a cut above many of the competition, plus his voice is screaming “Metal”.
The ensuing “Eternal Black” (what a cliché “Metal” title) is a number that has a steady pace that’s not slow at all, but doesn’t ever erupt in ultra-fast histrionics, instead opting for making most of its skull digging main riff that’s pretty heavy and crushing. It also has a nice enough solo.
The title track “This Wicked Nest” is pretty decent and combines all the traits from before in a highly rhythmical mid tempo composition that would normally not avoid being called average if not, for the lead melodies and it’s rather nice chorus.
“Souls Cry” is based more on creating an atmosphere, but it doesn’t do so by keeping the pace and feel entirely constant, as it sort of shifts through different moods and alternates the rhythm somewhat to create some anxiety. I guess it’s pretty cool.
“Isla De Las Munecas” is a rather short instrumental track with some sickly “children’s laughter” at the opening and a generally quick, slightly syncopated rhythm... it’s another rather delighting tune!
“Cursed” is rather “different” as here James chooses to go for a clean vocal and things slow down considerably, to almost doom metal speeds, albeit, the riffs remain sort of heavy/power metal… it’s a rather haunting tune that pretty cool and possibly a nice change from the constant battery of the all out fast tracks that come one after the other at the beginning of the album.
“It Has Risen” returns to the more aggressive and faster style but doesn’t manage to impress much at least not until its final verses that seem to be a little better...
“Defy the Swarm” is another extremely punishing and brutal song with Rivera, almost sounding positively demonic at parts, bordering on “black metal” demonic growls between the halforesque screams, in the choruses… it’s interesting but a little “too hardcore” maybe…
Last but not least the mysteriously titled “Magormissabib” (ma’ gôr mis’ ? bib a name given by Jeremiah to Pashhur ben Immer, the governor of the temple, who had caused the prophet to be beaten and set in the stocks) is obviously a conceptual piece that draws inspiration from the old testament story and is a rather typical Helstar number that is probably the closest thing to Helstar of old as well... as close as they might come this day… it’s pretty good.
All in all, “This Wicked Nest” – the album – is slightly uneven, but has a lot of good moments and is unlikely to disappoint the long standing supporters and followers of the band, who like the band for what they are, since it doesn’t really mark any huge departures from the bands signature sounds and it maintains a decent enough level all around, as the band has pretty much done all the way throughout their career...