HELSTAR

HELSTAR     “The Devil’s Masquerade”

By Dr. Abner Mality

It’s album #11 for this venerable Texas institution and the first things that hits me is the bitching cover art. This is one badass and diabolical bit of artwork to be sure! Can what’s within measure up to this deviltry?

There’s nothing slow or tired about “The Devil’s Masquerade”. This is HELSTAR at their fastest and thrashiest, with no ballads in sight and very little drop in intensity. The band has always walked the margins between power metal and thrash and this time they step a bit more into the thrash side of the equation. After a brief intro, the title track lets you know just what you are in for. The trademark vocals of “El Vampiro” James Rivera are as dramatic as always and the guitar antics of Larry Barragan and Alan DeLeon Jr are top notch.

Is there anything new going on? Not really and that might be considered a drawback by some. HELSTAR is treading a well worn groove here but do it with such energy and panache that it’s very hard to hold it against them.  A band in its 40th year belting out rippers like “Seek Our Your Sins” and “The Staff Of Truth” (the third song I’ve heard this month using Twilight Zone episode “The Howling Man” as inspiration) can’t be knocked. This is American power-thrash metal in the classic tradition and a great example of this powerful art.

MASSACRE RECORDS 

HELSTAR