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.
Pandemonium
Helstar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Famine, war, destruction almost pleasant to the view
Natural catastrophes, so tell me what is new
The picture you are painting says doomsday's on rise
A Glimpse of apocalypse, all we see in our eyes
Chorus
You are the madness that lives in our minds
You are pandemonium
You are the sadness that's keeping us blind
Selling only fear and the rise of discontent
Assassination of truth, monocracy turned violent
Enabler, instigator, the bringer of all grief
Blessed are the horrors the panic on which we feed
[Chorus]
Only negative deception, corruption, lunacy
A system failed surrounds us, collapse of society
Anarchy, nihilism, the worse is yet to come
Lawlessness, disorder, to frantic news succumbed
The song "Pandemonium" by Helstar addresses the chaos and destruction present in the world today. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and resignation, as the singer acknowledges the frightening events happening around them. The opening lines describe famine, war, and natural disasters as something nearly enjoyable to witness. This is perhaps a commentary on the desensitization of society to such horrors, as they are frequently showcased in news and media.
The chorus reveals the true focus of the song, as the singer declares that the chaos they witness is pandemonium, a kind of madness that infects the mind and keeps people from seeing the truth. This seems to suggest that the world's problems are not only external but also internal, as people's reactions to such events are what drives the chaos forward.
The second verse goes on to suggest that those in power are exploiting this madness for personal gain. They use fear and deception to manipulate the masses, assassinating the truth and causing widespread discontent. The final lines drive home the idea that things are only getting worse, with lawlessness and disorder running rampant.
Overall, the song is a powerful condemnation of the state of the world and an urgent call for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Famine, war, destruction almost pleasant to the view
The world has become desensitized to destruction and chaos.
Natural catastrophes, so tell me what is new
Natural disasters have become a common occurrence.
The picture you are painting says doomsday's on rise
The current situation depicts an impending apocalypse.
A Glimpse of apocalypse, all we see in our eyes
The future looks bleak and full of doom.
You are pandemonium
The state of chaos has taken over.
You are the madness that lives in our minds
The insanity has become a part of our thoughts and actions.
You are pandemonium
The chaos is all-consuming and overwhelming.
You are the sadness that's keeping us blind
The sadness has blinded us from seeing a better tomorrow.
Selling only fear and the rise of discontent
The media only focuses on creating fear and spreading discontentment.
Assassination of truth, monocracy turned violent
The authorities have resorted to violence to suppress the truth.
Enabler, instigator, the bringer of all grief
The forces responsible for creating chaos, suffering and sadness.
Blessed are the horrors the panic on which we feed
People are drawn towards catastrophes and horrors which feeds on their panic.
Only negative deception, corruption, lunacy
Everything around us is tainted with negativity, corruption and insanity.
A system failed surrounds us, collapse of society
The society has reached the brink of collapse due to a failed system.
Anarchy, nihilism, the worse is yet to come
The world is headed towards chaos, extreme negativity and destruction.
Lawlessness, disorder, to frantic news succumbed
The media frantically reporting the collapse of law and order.
Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CINGO25
Great song!!!! Love it!!!
Ben Tish
This is amazing from beginning to end!
SergeantCha0s
love it, hellishly melodic upbeat tempo...
RRR nigth💀👀
Clássic Band fantástic 👊💀🔥☠️🎤🥁🎸🇧🇷👍👏👌😎🙌👉🍺👈
Mike Garrison
Smokin' Heavy Metal.........Loved them from the start.....they have surely progressed......they have mastered......now they are among the Kings, IMHO !! James Rivera is so close to exceptional. So happy they are still pumping out the albums.........I'm an old school guy and don't like the growling vocals so many bands use these days.......in spite of the music which in a lot of cases is and was great. I just don't get it.......I was there for Venom's Black Metal and Welcome to Hell.....still love that.....I was there for Celtic Frost and still love that....Tom G. Warrior started the 'growl' from what I would suggest...(Hellhammer) Testament and Throwdown are great at it......but too much of that from a ton of bands these days just bores the fk out of me. We need more great and unique singers.....Ronny is gone (RIP), Lemmy is gone (RI Loudness)......Halford is losing it.....James Hetfield is losing it....sad days ahead but hope remains someone will grab the throne again before all is said and done.
John Flores
I have always loved helstars music great band san Antonio Texas
panos andriop.
great work!!!
Mysikrysa
I love them!
Legendar
Kiedyś byłem wielkim fanem płyty "Nosferatu". Tutaj zespół cofnął się o mile. Helstar nigdy nie grał Thrash Metalu, więc niepotrzebnie wdepnęli w ten zbędny jazgot. Zabieg kompletnie chybiony. Żeby nie było, nie krytykuję tego gatunku, sam uwielbiam niektóre płyty Flotsam & Jetsam, Testament, Overkill, Megadeath, Exodus, Machine Head oraz wielu innych zespołów. Pozdrawiam i życzę miłego dnia.
magio420
Excelente...