Monday 5 January 2009

Helstar - Nosferatu (1989)


Dodgy band name, one of those acts you'd probably ignore in the bargain bins for fear of total cheapness, but you'd actually be missing a small gem, Helstar play brash metal bordering on techno speed. Cracking, sizzling vocals from James Rivera, tight and cutting musicianship, this soars like a toxic mix of Death Angel, Coroner,Whiplash and Helloween, very much grounded in the '80s I guess but so sincere in its assault. Each track in its high velocity kinda whizzes by with familiarity, fist pounding power thrash on 'Harkers Tale', whereas 'Perseverance...' beings like something from Mordred's 'Fools Game' with its groovy twiddling and 'Benediction' is pretty much no thrills riffage, and there's a lot of that on offer. 'Nosferatu' is the bands third album, and sure, you could live without it, by why, when you can spend forty minutes or so thrashing away in the dark. Enjoyable and upbeat.


6.5/10

No comments: