Helker-Firesoul

AFM Records
2017

Argentina' heavy metal band Helker, formed in 1998 and (since 2008) lead by the always reliable Diego Valdez (Assignment, Electronomicon, and Iron Mask), make their long-awaited return with full-length album number five, "Firesoul". Produced by veteran musician Mat Sinner (Sinner, Primal Fear, Voodoo Circle, etc.) and mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler (Amon Amarth, Sodom, Primal Fear, Brainstorm), Helker's latest release is a fantastic tribute to all things traditional metal! The album serves as the follow-up to 2013's "Somewhere in the Circle" and much like it's predecessor, "Firesoul" showcases Diego Valdez's powerful voice. For those people who are already familiar with Helker's lead vocalist, "Firesoul" plays to his strength and is perfectly suited to this Argentia' band's style of classic heavy metal. For everyone else (ie; newcomers of all shapes and sizes who would do well to check out this well-crafted metal soundtrack to the gods of hard rock, heavy metal, and timeless power metal!), Diego's vocal delivery could best be described as part Ronnie James Dio and part symphonic metal/epic metal mastermind! In other words, Diego Valdez is the main focal point of this well-honed band . What helps Diego Valdez excel in that role is a tight-knit group of musicians that know how to ROCK! The backing band on this album is second to none and musically, "Firesoul" is a tribute to not only traditional heavy metal, but everything from melodic hard rock to supreme power metal! For founding members Mariano Ríos (guitar) and Christian Abarca (bass) it has been a musical journey to perfect their craft and they have certainly achieved that dream on the fifty minute plus "Firesoul"!! Now in it's 19th year of existence(!) the Argentina-based band has been transformed into an unstopping force of talent and precision. No doubt it hasn't been easy. Helker has seen line-up changes and the group has independently released material in the past. The marriage with AFM Records seems to be working though and based on the strength of "Firesoul", Helker's future seems secure. Let's all hope that it stays that way. In the first place true heavy metal/power metal like this never gets old. And when it's as slick as this album is? Well, heavy metal as a community only grows stronger. We need albums like this to keep everything honest and to make sure that every other band in our scene pushes itself to such perfection. To that end I give mad props to Helker as a whole for it's growth and to the actual members I offer praise for their continued hard work towards the goal of Grade A metal. This fine-tuned album, which (incidentally) will also be released in Spanish, is the realization of said goal and comes with my stamp of approval!

Steelballs-Steelballs

Witches Brew
2016

"Steelballs" is a self-titled EP from the Argentinian heavy/speed metal band of the same name. It was originally released in August of 2016. Initially there were only three tracks on the recording, "Steelballs ", "Farewell", and "Inquisitor Of Faith" are original compositions and damn good ones at that! This particular version was released in late December of 2016 and it adds a choice cover of Helloween's "Starlight" to what was already a killer EP. Influences include not only the aforementioned Helloween (early years mostly), but Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, (early) Running Wild, Blind Guardian, Riot, Grave Digger, and Manowar. Available as a digital download, "Steelballs" is most definitely worthy of  the silver CD treatment from Witches Brew! Their CD version comes with a six panel booklet and that is the way that I will be going with this highly-recommend EP as soon as I get the extra funds! Why all the fuss? Well, I hate to use this tired old cliche, but you really need to hear this one for yourself (if you are to truly understand the pure heavy metal essence that this five-piece band packs). Steelballs' debut is a real treat for anyone that cannot get enough of old school metal or the European power/speed metal scene of the eighties! Hell, the original composition, "Inquisitor Of Faith", is worth the price of admission alone! That track is pure gold for anyone that loves (legit) speed metal, but when you add in that cover of "Starlight"...well, "Steelballs" because essential! Don't just take my word for it though. Head over to the group's bandcamp page and blast it! You won't be sorry....

42 Decibel-Hard Rock n Roll

Steamhammer SPV
2013

Taking a look at 42 Decibel's "Hard Rock n Roll" would most likely leave you with the impression that they hail from Scandinavia. If you were to take a listen though you'd likely think that these guys hailed from Australia. After all this one is straight-up rock and roll with an appreciation for all things AC/DC. From vocalist/guitarist Junior Figueroad's take on Bon Scott boogie rock to the songs themselves, which sport titles like "Scotch Drinker" and "Gimme A Drink", it would be a no-brainer right? They've got to hail from Australia the home of AC/DC and Deep End right? Actually no. It's not even the US, England or Germany. Try Argentina. Yes, Argentina. Here we have a band that swings from the same branches as AC/DC, The Answer, Deep End and Buckcherry and yet they hail from not one of the hot spots of rock and roll. Regardless of where they may hail from this is one swagger-filled LP. The same raw sexual appeal that drove Bon Scott and his mates to the top of the charts finds it's footing here. This thing bleeds animal magnetism. Formed by drummer Nicko Cambiasso at the start of 2010, with they're first recording, a 7-track demo, in debuting in the spring 2010, the band is rounded out by bassist Chris Marck Towers and rhythm/slide guitarist Billy Bob Riley. While the influences are more then just AC/DC, what with Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Rose Tattoo, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd all being mentioned, the Brian Johnson lead band is the obvious starting point as far as descriptions go. While that might mark 42 Decibel as clones to some it's all in good taste as these tracks charm their way up and down your spine and make you want to settle in to "Drinkin' Margaritas". With one the tracks that either directly ("Drinkin' Margaritas") or indirectly ("Take Me" and pretty much every other track LOL!) reference drinking this one would make for a rather wicked party record. In the end this debut is easy to fall for just like the woman referenced in "Drunk Love"!

Helker-Somewhere In The Circle

AFM Records
2013

It never ceases to amaze me how many (Thousands? Millions?) bands draw from all things Dio, Rainbow to his self-titled band, as a source of "inspiration". Typically these bands will add some Iron Maiden and/or Judas Priest to the mix, but Ronnie James Dio is the man when it comes to imitators. We add to that number with Argentina act Helker. Now, of the sheer number of bands that worship Dio some do it better then others and Helker certainly have things down to a science! To be fair vocalist Diego Valdez, a veteran of heavy metal, is in top-form on the band's forth album. Let's not mince words. This guy can sing and when he let's loose the album takes on an epic quality! Take "Modern Roman Circus" (The album's opening cut) which, for arguments sake, was written with the term "metal anthem" in mind. Hit play on that number and let it rip through your speakers. Chances are even your cranky next door neighbors would be throwing up devil horns! That's what this band brings to the table. There's no denying the true heavy metal appeal that bands like this have. It goes deep down into the core of what makes heavy metal so appealing. These guys have that extra "something" that will make your metal blood boil. There's heaps of talent and energy here that has all the makings of heavy metal glory. The only down side though was that I half expected to hear "When there's lightning-it always brings me down..." as this band really, I mean REALLY, has a strong Dio vibe. If you're the sort who can look at a band like this and say "OK, so the guy sounds like Dio it's still pretty sweet" then by all means grab hold of this album and don't let go! If you're tired of bands that sound like stole DNA from the late, great Ronnie James Dio (You are sorely missed) then things are likely to go south for you rather quickly when you hear Helker. Chances are it's one of those extremes.