Helstar
XXX - 30 Years Of HEL
AFM
2012
Helstar, were always one of America’s better straightforward power metal bands and did release a bunch of pretty seminal albums through much of the 80s, narrowly missing the goal of worldwide domination. Still many of them albums they released back then are considered cult classics today.
Now, much of the 90s was spent in hibernation, with only one album being released, with line-up changes and with the band actually breaking up and it took them some 10 years to find the road back into the studio while in the meantime, the members tried to re-establish their friendship and chemistry. Fortunately it all worked out, and the band returned, stronger than ever releasing a string of worthy albums that added to their 80s legacy.
2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the band, and as many others they decided to release a live album to commemorate the event – yeah one of those, with the roman pornic numerals “XXX” as you may understand, just like say Asia, but to avoid confusion they dubbed it “30 years of HEL”.
Recorded at the “Warehouse” a decent sized local venue to the band, somewhere in Houston, this past March the show is encompassed of some 20 tracks, that attempt to cover pretty much all eras of the band, in a quite representative manner, as pretty much they check all albums, I think.
The setlist is thus: 01. Angels Fall To Hell, 02. Toward The Unknown, 03. Suicidal Nightmare, 04. The King Is Dead, 05. Burning Star, 06. To Sleep Per Chance To Scream, 07. The Plague Called Man, 08. Evil Reign, 09. Monarch Of Bloodshed, 10. Winds Of War, 11. Good Day To Die, 12. Wicked Disposition, 13. Pandemonium, 14. Bitter End, 15. Harker’s Tale, 16. Angel Of Death, 7. Baptized In Blood, 18. Alma Negra, 19. The King Of Hell, 20. Run With The Pack.
The package is comprised of a DVD that also contains an interview with band members, about their past a short look around Larry B’s house and some raw footage from London, from about a while ago. The cinematography and sound are good and the local crowd quite appreciative and responsive! The band puts on a good show and the atmosphere is quite celebratory! The show is also reprised over two audio CDs for “audio-only” types!
All in all – a release for fans and a great package, one can’t fault or go wrong with, if they like the band and American Power Metal in general!
Now, much of the 90s was spent in hibernation, with only one album being released, with line-up changes and with the band actually breaking up and it took them some 10 years to find the road back into the studio while in the meantime, the members tried to re-establish their friendship and chemistry. Fortunately it all worked out, and the band returned, stronger than ever releasing a string of worthy albums that added to their 80s legacy.
2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the band, and as many others they decided to release a live album to commemorate the event – yeah one of those, with the roman pornic numerals “XXX” as you may understand, just like say Asia, but to avoid confusion they dubbed it “30 years of HEL”.
Recorded at the “Warehouse” a decent sized local venue to the band, somewhere in Houston, this past March the show is encompassed of some 20 tracks, that attempt to cover pretty much all eras of the band, in a quite representative manner, as pretty much they check all albums, I think.
The setlist is thus: 01. Angels Fall To Hell, 02. Toward The Unknown, 03. Suicidal Nightmare, 04. The King Is Dead, 05. Burning Star, 06. To Sleep Per Chance To Scream, 07. The Plague Called Man, 08. Evil Reign, 09. Monarch Of Bloodshed, 10. Winds Of War, 11. Good Day To Die, 12. Wicked Disposition, 13. Pandemonium, 14. Bitter End, 15. Harker’s Tale, 16. Angel Of Death, 7. Baptized In Blood, 18. Alma Negra, 19. The King Of Hell, 20. Run With The Pack.
The package is comprised of a DVD that also contains an interview with band members, about their past a short look around Larry B’s house and some raw footage from London, from about a while ago. The cinematography and sound are good and the local crowd quite appreciative and responsive! The band puts on a good show and the atmosphere is quite celebratory! The show is also reprised over two audio CDs for “audio-only” types!
All in all – a release for fans and a great package, one can’t fault or go wrong with, if they like the band and American Power Metal in general!