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.