It would be most inappropriate if I had to introduce Helstar to the readers of this webzine before I started this review. So I won't. If you don't recognize the name or you think there's an L missing from it, you should go find out who these guys are first, listen to their previous albums and then read my thoughts about this album. The masters are back!

1995 was the last year a Helstar album saw the light of day and it has been a disaster. Since then several Helstar substitutes and step-children have tried to set things straight after "Multiples Of Black" sometimes reaching their goal (Destiny's End, New Eden) and sometimes getting close enough (Distant Thunder) but nothing ever was like the real thing. So how close to the real thing are we now? I would say 99%. This album's lineup consists of the same musicians as in "Remnants Of War" except for the drummer. For those of you wondering the answer is no. Andre Corbin is not in it.

So this is 2008 and we have a brand new Helstar album in our hands. This fact alone is emotive. This name carries such a big legacy and it's so hard to put emotions aside and review this album as it really is. God knows I'd give this a 10 right away and spare me the burden of judging the almighty Helstar and their latest offering! But I'll do my best to draw some lines about this album. To begin with, the only hideous thing about the album is the cover. Helstar have definitely been old school about this issue! Never did they have a cover worthy of their quality as a band nor will they now!

Talking about old school I'd like to share a couple of thoughts I had before listening to the album. First of all Andre Corbin's missing so I didn't expect anything near the magnificence and genius of "Nosferatu" and "A Distant Thunder". Second Larry Barragan and Rob Trevino's project Eternity Black formed in 2003 was such a huge disappointment, such an ungodly abomination that made me worry about how capable they still are in composing Helstar material. Third James Rivera has been active in metal all these years and having watched him singing the entire "Remnants Of War" album live before me I was sure he would be in great shape! So I listened to the album and here's what came out of it.

The album is nowhere near the magnificence and genius of "Nosferatu" and "Distant Thunder". Larry Barragan and Rob Trevino despite their stray project can still compose Helstar material! James Rivera's vocal width and range is of course still beyond human. So putting the pieces together I'd say "The King Of Hell" sounds like the thrash little brother of "Remnants Of War". In fact this is the thrashiest Helstar have ever been. If there's an album out there to define the power/thrash metal characterization then this is the one. And I'm talking about real old school thrash, 80s thrash not what people may call thrash nowadays. Of course the largest part of their technical side has given its place to more aggressive riffage and speed but I also think that Helstar needed a straight forward metal album like this one more than anything else at the moment. 2008 Helstar have to mark their territory, this is their first album after so many years and it has to grab you by the neck and bang your head against the wall not consume itself in new progressive ventures. Andre Corbin Helstar have done their work, their quality can never be duplicated and that's a fact. But it's also a closed case. The most important thing is that they're back and I like what I'm hearing.

Did I just say that technicality has given its place to aggression? I think I did and I should rephrase. Technicality has given its place to aggression only in riffage. The solos are surely keeping the Helstar legacy alive reminding a bit of the old days when a single Helstar song would lead half of this planet's guitarist to quit! You have to listen to the solos people! No need to say more. The riffs are as I have already stated power/thrash thunderbolts in the vein of pure U.S. power metal following the same recipes that made Helstar the legend they are. I know there are lots of bands out there gracing themselves as power metal but after listening to this album I have to say they're not as powerful as they might think! The production is definitely using all technology has to offer today but is in no way too much. It's modern but respectfully modern.

The vocals are great and I don't think James Rivera could ever do wrong in singing power metal! His range is still unbelievable after all these years. It's like time never touched his shrieks! And he can also deliver live, he's not a studio product. But I have to say that his vocal lines are a bit flat this time. He's kind of neglected the middle notes. He always sings either too high or too low. I mean his ability to jump from low to high is amazing but this may tire after a while. I expect more variety in the future because I know James Rivera can do it. Apart from that the vocals in this album are the bible of power metal singing. Ponder over it!

Helstar have been wise in making a 50 minute album of 9 songs. You can't get bored of this album as you couldn't get bored of albums back when vinyl limited them to 45 minutes. But I have to say that some songs are significantly better than others. My favorites have to be "The plague called man", "Tormentor" (these are consequent songs and the way the second follows the first will make you wanna trash your place!), "Wicked disposition" (my personal favorite) and the epic oriental exodus "Garden of temptation". Those were my picks but I also have to warn you; this album is of the growing type and is definitely not as straight forward as it seems! Do yourself a favor and buy it.