Helstar

You know what I love? Power metal. You know what else I love? America. You know what else I love? Metal from the 80's. So it's pretty needless to say that I really like Helstar, as they are American power metal from the 80's. The band originates in Texas, and is fronted by semi-legend James Rivera, vocalist of a thousand bands. Their style is the classic American power metal mold, with some thrash influence. Larry Barragan is one of the most underrated guitar players ever - his solos on these albums are awesome. Technical, but not wanking. Catchy, but not simplified. The riffs are nice, too. Rivera sounds like an American Rob Halford with even higher shrieks. Nosferatu is their best album, but A Distant Thunder has to be mentioned for containing "Winds of War", one of those amazing power metal epics that only come along every once in a while. In the vein of "Rebellion in Dreamland" or "The Crucifix", it starts out with a keyboard intro, then suddenly TEARS YOUR FUCKING FACE APART with riffs. But all of these are good albums - all highly reccomended. Enjoy.

"Off to destroy and kill my enemies
For betrayed we were in the scriptures of peace
Beyond the star OF THE RISING SUUUUUUUN"

Burning Star (1984)
Remnants of War (1986)
A Distant Thunder (1988)
Nosferatu (1988)

The Sword

The Sword are an American doom metal band from Texas. Having just got their start in 2003, this band is showing a lot of promise. Heavily Sabbath-influenced, this is just your basic trad. doom. A bit more up-tempo than usual, but undeniably in the doom genre. And holy shit is this HEAVY. You like crushing riffs? I do, and I loved this album. Not to mention that these guys are actually getting popular. They toured with Trivium, and their song "Freya" was featured in the setlist of Guitar Hero II. Hopefully the publicity won't change their music for the worse. This is a band to watch.

"The battle rages, but they fight in vain
When all is done, they must begin again"

Age of Winters (2006)

Hammers of Misfortune

I can't do a Slough Feg post without following it with a Hammers of Misfortune post. That would just be silly.

The Hammers are another band from California. Started by John Cobbet (of GWAR, Ludicra, and formerly Slough Feg) and formerly containing Mike Scalzi (of Slough Feg), this is another band that will stand out to you immediately. It's hard to put these guys into even a hybrid genre, their music is so diverse. I hear heavy, I hear NWOBHM, I hear doom, folk, even black metal in their sound. Each song is a like a composition from a different band, but there's always a noticeable sound to keep it all cohesive. The Bastard, their first album, is a more basic heavy/power work, and is also a concept album. Their next two albums throw out diversity like it was candy. The band even has three vocalists - two male and one female. You'll always be finding something new in these albums.

"Within you live my manufactured dreams
Soon we'll be repackaging your quaint, rebellious schemes..."

The Bastard (2001)
The August Engine & The Locust Years (2003 and 2006, respectively)

The Lord Weird Slough Feg

I know I've been lax in updating, which is kind of sad this early in the blog's life, but I'm making up for it with an awesome-tacular band. The Lord Weird Slough Feg (who are now referred to officially as simply Slough Feg) hail originally from central Pennsylvania, USA, but are now located in California. This is one of those bands where you can recognize them immediately - from the Celtic-folk influences to Mike Scalzi's powerful, unique vocal delivery, this band really stands out. Their music is mainly heavy power metal with folk influences, but they do play around with some doom elements on their latest two albums. Any album is a fine one to start with if you've never experienced the band before, but my personal favorites are Down Among the Deadmen and Twilight of the Idols.


"I am a space pirate, you know my name..."

Self-Titled (re-release with bonus tracks) (1996)
Twilight of the Idols (1999)
Down Among the Deadmen (2000)
Traveller (2003)
Atavism (2005)