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.
Remnants Of War
Helstar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winds of war blow cold
Minutes of life so quickly flash
Nothings left to be told
From the sky a star will fall
The seas will turn to dust
No king or ruler shall stand tall
Now who will you trust
Oh now where can you run
What more can you do
The shadows of death
Are closing in on you
The end has now just begun
Look for the rising sun
Seek the holy one
As the final curtain falls your heart is split with pain
You wonder how long before he's going to reign
The thunder roar
The ruins fall
Only desert land remains
A living hell the earth transformed
But will you go insane?
Remnants of war
The lyrics of Helstar's song "Remnants of War" depict the devastating consequences of war and how it affects every aspect of life. The first verse describes how war alters the world around us, creating vast black horizons and cold winds. The line "minutes of life so quickly flash, nothing's left to be told" speaks to the fragility of human life and how it can be taken away in an instant during a war. The second verse warns that even the most powerful leaders and rulers will not be spared -- pointing to the ultimate futility of creating divisions and engaging in conflict.
The chorus reinforces the feeling of hopelessness, questioning where one can run or what one can do in the face of impending doom. The reference to seeking the holy one suggests that perhaps there is some kind of spiritual salvation that can be found in the face of war. The final verse depicts an apocalyptic scene where the earth itself is transformed into a living hell. The line "the final curtain falls, your heart is split with pain" is particularly haunting, emphasizing the sense of despair that accompanies the end of war.
Overall, the song is a powerful anti-war statement that serves as a reminder of the horrific consequences of conflict. It encourages us to seek peace and understanding, rather than resorting to violence and aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
Black horizons are wide and vast
The aftermath of war has left the world barren and devastated – from land to sky, everything feels desolate and devoid of life.
The winds of war blow cold
The war has brought with it bitter and relentless destruction that has left behind ruins, insecurity, and the feeling of being exposed to a constant, biting wind.
Minutes of life so quickly flash
The war has been a brutal, traumatic and brief event for many people and they find themselves unable to catch their breath from the whirlwind of events that have taken place.
Nothings left to be told
The aftermath of war has left people stunned, speechless and devoid of any meaningful words to express the pity and sorrow they feel.
From the sky a star will fall
The destruction of the war knows no bounds and will affect everything, even the seemingly stable cosmic order, as shown by the powerful image of a star falling from the sky.
The seas will turn to dust
The war has affected everything – even the seemingly endless, vast ocean – and reduced it all to dust and a barren wasteland.
No king or ruler shall stand tall
The war has left no one untouched; all have been brought low – even those who once wielded the most power, wealth and influence.
Now who will you trust
The war has shattered people's concept of trust, as people are now wondering if they can trust anyone after looking around and seeing the destruction around them.
Oh now where can you run
The war has left people with a sense of despair and hopelessness, leaving them with nowhere to turn for solace or protection.
What more can you do
The war has reached such an unprecedented level that people are asking themselves what they can do in the face of such overwhelming destruction.
The shadows of death
The war has created an environment of constant danger, where people are living under the weight of the threat of death with no warning or mercy.
Are closing in on you
The war has made people feel trapped and isolated, surrounded by the shadows of death in every direction.
The end has now just begun
Despite everything that has already happened, people realize that the war is far from over and that the worst is yet to come.
Look for the rising sun
Even in this dark and hopeless situation, people must still have hope for a brighter future – the hope that with the rising sun, will come a new day with a new beginning.
Seek the holy one
In this apocalyptic world, hope lies only in the divine and the transcendent which can offer comfort, peace and a new beginning.
As the final curtain falls your heart is split with pain
As the effects of the war come to their brutal conclusion, people are left with only pain and heartbreak, unable to find any solace or comfort.
You wonder how long before he's going to reign
People are questioning the concept of leadership and power, wondering how long it will be until someone else takes over and begins the cycle of destruction all over again.
The thunder roar
The war has left an everlasting impression on the people, and its sound and effect echoes like a thunderstorm, reminding them of its relentless cruelty.
The ruins fall
People witness the complete fall of their worlds, the destruction affecting everything from the buildings to the people in their lives.
Only desert land remains
The destruction of the war is so complete that nothing remains but a desert, devoid of life and uninhabitable.
A living hell the earth transformed
The once beautiful and habitable earth is now transformed into a barren, wretched wasteland – a testament to the horrors of war and the destruction it brings.
But will you go insane?
As people contemplate the destruction they have witnessed, they wonder if they will come out of it sane, or if the war has taken something fundamental and irreplaceable away from them.
Remnants of war
Even once the war has died down, its remnants will serve as a reminder of the destruction it caused and the horrors that have taken place.
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dean Typhonian Diaz
HELSTAR
James “ Bill Lionel “ Rivera-
Vocals 🎤
Larry Barragan-
6/12 String Acoustic/
Lead/Rhythm guitars 🎸
Robert Trevino-
Lead/Rhythm guitars 🎸
Jerry Abarca-Bass
Rene Luna-Drums 🥁
🇺🇸 Houston,Texas
United States of America 🇺🇸
Circa
💿 1985/86/87/88/89 💿
Bands Inception
💿 1978-2018 💿
juicysuit
one of the greatest slept on metal albums ever.
Deaf2Demands
Great album... JAMES'' phrasing on his vocals are awesome..
K01ja Rock
HELSTAR ROCKS!!!
PVD Guitars
Hestar brought back what Priest Lost after Stained Class. Intelligent yet powerful heavy metal. An impressive catalogue of masterpiece albums spread over more than 35 years never deviating from the true path of heavy metal, never giving in to the temptation of commercial success (aka their peers of the hay-days of early 80ies metal).
Canal Pseudointrospecção
Great album of a very underated band!
Phil Walls
been a big fan since nospheratue this is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!
Trine Andreassen
this is so fuckin` epic, it smells of beer,angst,agression and spandex. such a testimony of its time!
Arne Andersen
Haunting and powerful. True metal
David Michaelsen
Awesome band
Death Is Certain Life Is Not
awesome album loved it from day 1