Helstar recorded "Remnants of War" in 1985 with a new and powerful line up. Jerry Abarca, Rob Treviño, and drummer Rene Luna joined the band and released "Remnants" in 1986 for Combat records. Once again the band received much praise from around the world. Helstar embarked on its first US tour and opened up for such heavy hitters as Anthrax, Megadeth, TT Quick, and King Diamond to name a few. Once again though, line up changes reared its ugly head and Rob and Rene chose to leave the band. This happened at a critical time as the band had decided to move to LA in pursuit of a new record deal.
It was at this time that guitarist Andre Corbin and drummer Frank Ferreira joined the band. Helstar signed with Metal Blade records and produced two albums for the label. "A Distant Thunder" saw the band cross the pond for the first time. The band played several arena sized venues with Yngwie Malmsteen and Tankard. Headlining and selling out the famed Dynamo club was one of the highlights of the tour. In 1989 the band quickly followed up "A Distant Thunder" with "Nosferatu". It was Helstar's first concept album, with half the album being dedicated to the story of Bram Stoker's "Dracula". Many believe that this album was ahead of it's time. Not only did it feature the most intricate music Helstar had done to this time, it dealt with a subject that several years later would become en vogue. It was the last album Helstar would record for Metal Blade. Andre and Frank exited the band soon thereafter. With the "grunge" movement running high, the face of music in the U.S. changed. Unable to secure a deal, Larry Barragan followed suite and left not only Helstar but music all together. But not before recording a 4 song demo with two new members. Aaron Garza took over at guitar and Russell Deleon became the new drummer. The demo would later be released as "Helstar-The James Rivera Legacy".
James Rivera never lost sight of his dream and continued along with Jerry Abarca as Helstar. Now having to fill Larry Barragan's shoes they turned to former Helstar guitarist Rob Treviño. They recorded "Multiples in Black" with the help of Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson as producer. This would be the last proper album Helstar would record. Several years later Metal Blade records released a live cd "Twas the Night of a Hellish Xmas". James Rivera later released 2 demo recordings as "The James Rivera Legacy". Helstar for all intensive purposes disbanded. Only James Rivera and Jerry Abarca would continue to do shows as Helstar but would not record again under that name.
Helstar laid the groundwork for the progressive power metal movement without even knowing it. Three things can be said about Helstar throughout the years. The music was full of integrity, it was heavy, and it was true.
James Rivera has enjoyed much success staying busy with several projects. He is considered by some to be one of the most legendary metal vocalist ever. He has recorded with Destiny's End, Seven Witches, Killing Machine, and is now a member of Vicious Rumors. He has kept the Helstar candle burning bright throughout.
Larry Barragan, Rob Treviño, and Russell Deleon have also resurfaced with a new band named Eternity Black. They have released a self-titled 5 song EP as well. Having never lost touch, the friendship and the bond between these members has always been strong. So when Robb Chavez came up with the idea, it was a "no brainer". Will this band continue? That really depends on you the fans and what the demand will be. There is one thing we all know for sure. When Helstar hits the stage on June 10th with all of its energy and power, it will be a show you will not want to miss it!
Helstar has recorded seven full length albums spanning over two decades. They have amassed an impressive body of work.
Benediction
Helstar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the landscape vast and wide to see;
in the distance far
Where light shines in your eyes;
You're blinded, beyond thoughts
In your mind, those dreams
That haunt you down to bleed
The might of the men; whose thoughts look
Whom they lay the tasks for
To teach us of our sins
There is a keeper who looks
into his crystal ball
To watch and command
All the people who come and pray
To his image of a man
As they look to him they bow their heads
And kneel in the court yards
To away his sermon
As a figure of monk rises to the stand
Discloses his hood
To pray a command
Mass has now began
(All hail) me!
Who's in your minds
And will command
All (our lives)
For those who seek
(We seek) my guidance
Are to give themselves to me
(Blessed be) me!
Who is the lord thy god to be
For this the time, now (in fear)
You all shall be, willed by praises
Of faith and love to whom (to you)
Alast the time is near, for I must
Speak these words so you can
Hear (the benediction)
I am the lord!
For all must say (amen) to a man
Here in the fields
Someone is calling my
Name: words for
The rightious:v (speak my son)
And words for
Those who are blind
Deceitful deceiver
You liar of man
Here this our God!
Make this man pray
Run from him all
He's not what you say
You will bow down
Or you're going to pay
André solo
My father, my god
Give
A sign to see
That in their time
They might believe
On earth, satan free
Know! No he'll not
See the sun once again
In pain will his
life surely end
Then you'll all bow to me
And god up above will bless
Me you'll see
High across
Darkness falls
The shadows of fear
Now over the land
Candles at mass
And touches a blazed
Hear now the end
A false prophets dismay
The priest and his guards
Steal what they can
Draining the blood
From this man
The last final sin
And the man is done in
Filling their
Cups to the rim
Flash! Lightning rips
Trough the skies
A rumbling sound
As they toast their cups high
The last drop is done
Their eyes open wide
Ripping inside
Their minds start to fry
They rip at their skin
And pluck their own eyes
Like vultures
In human disguise
A man from the crowd
With shame on his brow
Stands to speak
These words to me
No, No! How can this be?
For a man of our God,
Can deceive us you see!
Father, I promise the sleeper will awaken
The lyrics of Helstar's song Benediction explore the theme of religious deception and the power dynamics that exist between religious leaders and their followers. The song begins by painting the picture of a vast landscape that is sacred ground, where the light shines in one's eyes, blinding them to their surroundings. The singer is haunted by their dreams and the sins they carry which require teaching from the mighty men tasked with the responsibility. The lyrics then highlight the role of the keeper or the religious leader, who commands and watches over the people that come to pray in the image of a man. The followers bow their heads and kneel to hear his sermons, while the figure of the monk rises to the stand to command them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal the manipulative nature of the leader, who demands complete submission from his followers. Those who seek guidance are to give themselves to him, and he considers himself the lord thy god. The lyrics describe how the followers are willed by praise of faith and love to bow to the man. The song reaches its climax with lightning ripping through the skies, a rumbling sound, and the priest and his guards stealing and draining the blood of the man. In the end, a man from the crowd stands to speak against the religious leader, and the song ends with the promise that the sleeper will awaken.
Overall, the lyrics of Benediction explore the theme of religious deception and the power dynamics that exist between religious leaders and their followers. It highlights the manipulation and deceit that can happen in the name of religion, and the consequences of blindly following leaders without questioning their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Rising through the sacred grounds
Ascending from holy territory
From the landscape vast and wide to see;
From the vast scenery afar;
in the distance far
Far in the distance
Where light shines in your eyes;
Where the light glows bright in your eyes;
You're blinded, beyond thoughts
Blinded, beyond any thoughts;
In your mind, those dreams
In your mind, those dreams you see
That haunt you down to bleed
Haunting thoughts that torment you
The might of the men; whose thoughts look
The power of men, whose thoughts can see through
Them straight through their blinded eyes
See through their blindness like a skylight;
Whom they lay the tasks for
Assigning them their duties
To teach us of our sins
To instruct us on the evil we carry within
There is a keeper who looks
There is a guardian who observes
into his crystal ball
Into his crystal orb
To watch and command
To monitor and lead
All the people who come and pray
To all who come to pray
To his image of a man
To his vision of a human being
As they look to him they bow their heads
They bow their heads, staring at him
And kneel in the court yards
And bend their knees in the courtyards
To away his sermon
To receive his lectures
As a figure of monk rises to the stand
A monk stands up to preach
Discloses his hood
Unveiling his hood
To pray a command
To issue a directive
Mass has now began
The ceremony has now commenced
(All hail) me!
Praising and glorifying me!
Who's in your minds
Whose presence is in your minds
And will command
And will lead and direct
All (our lives)
Our entire existence
For those who seek
For those who desire
(We seek) my guidance
We want your guidance
Are to give themselves to me
Are to devote themselves to me
(Blessed be) me!
My blessings be upon me!
Who is the lord thy god to be
Who will be the almighty god
For this the time, now (in fear)
The moment is now, in a state of anxiety
You all shall be, willed by praises
Encouraged by praise and appreciation
Of faith and love to whom (to you)
Of love and faith directed towards you
Alast the time is near, for I must
Finally, the time is close when I have to
Speak these words so you can
Speak these words that you can
Hear (the benediction)
Listen to the benediction
I am the lord!
I am the master!
For all must say (amen) to a man
All must say 'amen' to me, a mere human
Here in the fields
Here in the fields
Someone is calling my
Someone is calling my name
Name: words for
Name: words for
The rightious:v (speak my son)
To the righteous person: speak, my child
And words for
And words for
Those who are blind
For those who are blind
Deceitful deceiver
Deceptive liar
You liar of man
You liar to all mankind
Here this our God!
Hear this, our God!
Make this man pray
Impel this man to pray
Run from him all
Stay away from him, everybody
He's not what you say
He's not what you think he is
You will bow down
You will kneel down
Or you're going to pay
Or you'll pay the price
André solo
André plays a solo
My father, my god
My father, my god
Give
Grant
A sign to see
A visible indication to be seen
That in their time
So that in their time
They might believe
They may believe
On earth, satan free
Satan free on earth
Know! No he'll not
Know! He will not
See the sun once again
See the sun once more
In pain will his
He will suffer in agony
life surely end
Life will definitely come to an end
Then you'll all bow to me
Then you will all bow down to me
And god up above will bless
And God above will bless
Me you'll see
You will see me
High across
High up above
Darkness falls
Darkness descends
The shadows of fear
The shadows of fear loom
Now over the land
Now all over the land
Candles at mass
Candles at mass
And touches a blazed
And touches lit
Hear now the end
Now hear the end
A false prophets dismay
The downfall of a false prophet
The priest and his guards
The priest and his guards
Steal what they can
Take what they can get
Draining the blood
Sucking the blood
From this man
From this human being
The last final sin
The last ultimate sin
And the man is done in
And the man is finished
Filling their
Filling their
Cups to the rim
Cups to the brim
Flash! Lightning rips
Flash! Thunder flashes
Trough the skies
Through the sky
A rumbling sound
A deafening sound
As they toast their cups high
As they raise their cups high
The last drop is done
The last drop is finished
Their eyes open wide
Their eyes widen
Ripping inside
Ripping through their insides
Their minds start to fry
Their minds begin to burn
They rip at their skin
They tear at their skin
And pluck their own eyes
And gouge out their own eyes
Like vultures
Like ravenous scavengers
In human disguise
Disguised as human beings
A man from the crowd
A man from the crowd
With shame on his brow
Feeling ashamed
Stands to speak
Stands to address
These words to me
These words to me
No, No! How can this be?
No, no! How could this be?
For a man of our God,
For a man of our God,
Can deceive us you see!
Can trick us, can't you see?
Father, I promise the sleeper will awaken
Father, I promise the sleeper will awaken
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rob Groeneweg
This album is the best metal ever delivered...!!!Epic!!!
sero wi
James Rivera is one of the greatest metal singers in the world! Thanx for so many fantastic songs!!! Hope to meet the guys again this year...
manowarhn
Did you know that the phrase: "Father!...I promise" at the end is from David Lynch's Dune? The full line of dialog is: "Father, I promise one day the sleeper will awaken", and it can be found here: https://youtu.be/vJykw3H4PDw?t=6530
Zoran Davidović
This song deserves more comments! One of the great forsaken bands.