"Helstar is the most underated band that I know to this day...mostly due to exposure that they don't or didn't get. It's too bad they're cramming limp bisquick and korn down these kids' ears instead of bands with real talent like HELSTAR and some others. I own over 500 cd's and NOSFERATU is definately in my top 10. A DISTANT THUNDER IS EVEN BETTER!"
Amazing doesn't even describe this album
Malcolm Todd | Hoquiam, WA United States | 08/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a masterpiece from a band that never had a chance to become great commercially, but for a metal standard they will go down as creators of something magical and inspiring. I love the sound bites from the Frank Langella Dracula movie... great movie by the way... but the album is something you don't hear anymore. These bands no longer grow on trees and that is a crying shame. Rivera is truly the glue to the concept of the Dracula theme, he sounds sincere in his delivery and who now can play such guitar pieces? ROCK ON HELSTAR though you're no long together!"
Forgotten Classics
Nicolas Medina | Maturin, MONAGAS VENEZUELA | 12/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, this is a really hard-to-find item, actually many metal fans had never heared about this band. They simply don't know what tyhey're missing. This album is a masterpiece in proggressive metal, it will be almost impossible to produce something like this again."
Does not deserve to be forgotten.
Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 12/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must turn to those stupid descriptions I always use: Helstar sounds like 80s thrash combined with early Queensryche (like, EP-ish early), Death, and...Symphony X! at least in the guitar department. The guitars are replete with 'neoclassical' flourishes and fancy riffcraft that evoke the second and third bands, and the vocal style of 'Ryche. Songs are very meaty, chuggy, and driving! Progressive features are omnipresent -- with all its rhythmic twists and sophisticated melodic contour, you can see that Helstar is an unacknowledged champion of proto-prog-metal. the production is a little dated, and the drums sound pretty bad, but this is killer. Hunt it down!"
It's too bad this album has been over looked...
chrisjr | Orlando, FL United States | 06/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had this album in my collection for years and I still consider it one of the most creative and original neo-classical metal albums I've heard. Every song on this album is perfect! There are so many mind blowing rhythms and melodies on this album and they inter-twine so fluidly that there are points where I am not sure a destinction can be made and it sounds SOOOO cool! The lead work is excellent as well with the two guitarists of the band switching off leads. Great creative drumming too. There are parts in some of the songs that hit the coolest grooves!!! I would think that fans of Malmsteen can't go wrong with this, but if you like intricate intelligent unpredictable metal like Testament and Metallica I think you'd appreciate this album too. Good stuff, if you're into it. Get this and spread the word so this album can get some of the recognition it deserves."