Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Helstar
Title
Vampiro
Type
LP/EP
Company
Ellefson Music
YOR
2016
Style
Traditional
9/13/2016 - Review by: Eric Compton
Classic US power-thrash with way too many solos and tempo changes to engage
To me, Helstar are US classic metal icons. James Rivera and company have released album after album of killer cuts even when heavy metal wasn't so popular. At some point these bands just eventually run out of engaging material though. I think this has happened to acts like Overkill, Death Angel, Slayer and even Megadeth. Eventually the formula just doesn't work. While Helstar have never released a bad album, and they still haven't, 'Vampiro' is just clogged with way too many riffs. There are solos everywhere and the tempo changes just kept me at a distance. While quick-paced and riff-heavy, the end result is just too much, too often.
Recommended for fans of: Exciter and early Overkill
PERSONAL BREAKDOWN:

ENJOYMENT
3
MUSIC
2.5
VOCALS
3
PRODUCTION
4
ARTWORK
3
LYRICS
3


  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    3 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: HELSTAR
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Glory Of Chaos
2010
AFM
Eric Compton1/17/2011
4.5
This Wicked Nest
2014
AFM
Eric Compton5/1/2014
4
Vampiro
2016
Ellefson Music
Eric Compton9/13/2016
3

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: HELSTAR
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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