Given their early classics it's little surprise that Helstar's comeback has been a successful one. In 2006 the classic Helstar line-up were re-united and then released Sins Of The Past their "Best Of" collection in 2007, Helstar followed this with 2008's The King Of Hell the band's first studio album in thirteen years which is still an absolute cracker of a metal release. It wasn't long before Helstar backed that up releasing their heaviest recording yet Glory Of Choas in 2010 receiving much deserved praise. Since that time we have seen a live recording 30 Years Of Hel celebrating their 30th anniversary and now that momentum continues with their new recording The Wicked Nest Helstar's latest rivetting U.S. power/thrash metal release. More of a combination of the last two albums and their past in style than continuing with the intensity of Glory Of Chaos.
The guitar duo of Larry Barragan and Rob Trevino represent two of the most able and potent players in metal and they continue to impress on The Wicked Nest. As with their previous two releases Helstar are hitting it hard once "Fall Of Dominion" engulfs you with a deluge of spellbinding metal, and the one and only James Rivera who has a voice like no other unveils his dynamic range. The pulsating metal of "Eternal Black" and the gripping music of "The Wicked Nest" with a chorus to match are followed by classic Helstar on "Souls Cry" which is just so compelling.
Helstar have recorded some impressive instrumentals in the past with "The Whore of Babylon" from Distant Thunder and Nosferatu's "Perserverance and Desperation". The Wicked Nest has another "Isla De Las Munecas" and Helstar's musical athleticism is in full flight, I am not sure of the link but when I searched the title it came up as a Mexican island known as "Island Of The Dolls". This is a tourist destination of sorts where a considerable sized collection of creepy dolls are found hanging and with a haunting back story to match, I do understand that guitar wiz Jeff Loomis played a role in this one. Taking a turn for the different "Cursed" has a strong doom like influence and though the tempo does pickup for a time this is the slowest track on The Wicked Nest's which is dominated by lively metal. The title "Magormissabib" refers to the symbolical name in the bible of "terror on every side" given to the priest Pashur and James Rivera's vocals will strike fear into any who hears it.
Helstar are really on a roll with a hat trick of top studio releases since reforming, maintaining that consistency that we have come to expect with the The Wicked Nest one wicked release. And like other metal veterans say Kreator and Testament you can be confident of hearing quality material when purchasing their albums. Regularly surpassing those others that leave fans wondering what they are trying to achieve later in their careers with albums that are far from their best.
Track Listing
1. Fall Of Dominion
2. Eternal Black
3. This Wicked Nest
4. Souls Cry
5. Isla De Las Munecas
6. Cursed
7. It Has Risen
8. Defy The Swarm
9. Magormissabib
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