Nosferatu Review
November 1, 2020
Considered by most to be their magnum opus, Nosferatu saw Helstar reach the peak of their songwriting skill before entering hiatus. With each prior album, they upted the ante in delivering technical, progressive, neoclassical thrashy Speed Metal. They even opted to make the first half of this album a concept story based on Dracula. Truly, they did pull all the stops for what was for a time their swansong album.
Helstar started out as a ridiculously generic Heavy Metal band with their debut album Burning Star, which makes the transition to this completely unique entity even more astounding. Even Today, Nosferatu holds its own as a monstrous testament to musical prowess and songwriting in Speed Metal. Interestingly, it walks a fine line between the heavy aggression of Tech Thrash and the hyper melodic sensibilities of Power and Neoclassical Metal. The vocalist adopts more of the later style, opting for dramatic flair and melody instead of aggression.
The album falls flat sometimes in delivering a whole lot of emotion, but they still do better than most neoclassical bands. The riffs are really sick too, not just pure wankery. Though there is a lot of that as well. Rhythm section is amazing.
Helstar started out as a ridiculously generic Heavy Metal band with their debut album Burning Star, which makes the transition to this completely unique entity even more astounding. Even Today, Nosferatu holds its own as a monstrous testament to musical prowess and songwriting in Speed Metal. Interestingly, it walks a fine line between the heavy aggression of Tech Thrash and the hyper melodic sensibilities of Power and Neoclassical Metal. The vocalist adopts more of the later style, opting for dramatic flair and melody instead of aggression.
The album falls flat sometimes in delivering a whole lot of emotion, but they still do better than most neoclassical bands. The riffs are really sick too, not just pure wankery. Though there is a lot of that as well. Rhythm section is amazing.
1 like
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rhapsody in Black | 0:58 | 75 | 2 |
| 2. | Baptized in Blood | 4:25 | 90 | 3 |
| 3. | To Sleep, Per Chance to Scream | 4:37 | 87.5 | 2 |
| 4. | Harker's Tale (Mass of Death) | 4:26 | 85 | 2 |
| 5. | Perseverence and Desperation | 4:16 | 85 | 2 |
| 6. | The Curse Has Passed Away | 5:08 | 85 | 2 |
| 7. | Benediction | 5:57 | 87.5 | 2 |
| 8. | Harsh Reality | 3:15 | 85 | 2 |
| 9. | Swirling Madness | 4:04 | 85 | 2 |
| 10. | Von Am Lebem Desto Strum | 1:58 | 75 | 2 |
| 11. | Aieliaria and Everonn | 3:46 | 82.5 | 2 |
Line-up (members)
- James Rivera : Vocals
- Larry Barragan : Guitars
- Andre Corbin : Guitars
- Jerry Abarca : Bass
- Frank Ferreira : Drums
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Burning Star Review (1984)
Noodles 90/100Aug 24, 2022 Likes : 2
국내에선 소개된 적이 없어 국내 지지도는 거의 미약하리라 생각되는 미국 텍사스 출신 헬스타는 80년대 미국 파워메틀씬 형성에 지대한 영향을 끼친 밴드이며 보컬 제임스 리베라는 최근 타계한 영국밴드 그림리퍼의 보컬 스티브 그림멧과 더불어 저평가된 숨은 실력자로 평가되어왔다.... Read More
▶ Nosferatu Review (1989)
SilentScream213 90/100Nov 1, 2020 Likes : 1
Considered by most to be their magnum opus, Nosferatu saw Helstar reach the peak of their songwriting skill before entering hiatus. With each prior album, they upted the ante in delivering technical, progressive, neoclassical thrashy Speed Metal. They even opted to make the first half of this album a concept story based on Dracula. Truly, they did pull all the stops for what wa...
Nosferatu Review (1989)
구르는 돌 90/100Aug 12, 2018 Likes : 1
USPM의 거두 Helstar의 최고명반에는 거의 네 번째 앨범인 Nosferatu가 거론된다. 이들의 세 번째 앨범인 A Distant Thunder를 들을 때만해도 해외 메탈 팬들의 이러한 의견표명에 의문을 가지고 있었다. 왜냐하면 아직 Nosferatu는 들어보지 않고, A Distant Thunder만을 들어본 상태였기 때문이었다. 이 앨범... Read More
