Origin: Houston, Texas, USA  
Genres: Traditional Metal
Official Site
Last update/review: March 31, 2007

Distant Thunder

Helstar is well known by 80's metal fans as one of the prototypical bands of that decade, one of the bands that defined American metal for the era and one that has been quite influential on any number of bands since their reign. Though there have been frequent reunion gigs in recent times (and, as of this writing, the band is indeed back in action), but there were times where the band was dormant. So, vocalist/founder James Rivera, desiring to make music, decided to do the next best thing to reforming Helstar, that being forming a new band to carry on the Helstar tradition. Thus was born Distant Thunder (named, of course, for the 1988 Helstar album), perhaps as much a Rivera solo project as a real band, but nonetheless an outlet for Rivera to continue the Helstar legacy. The music is solid 80's-inspired American metal, with Rivera as always in top form -- his is a classic metal voice, able to hit Halford-style high notes but always under control and he keeps those high notes to a minimum, unlike others who tend to overdo the wailing 80's vocal style. Welcome The End is a top choice for 80's metal purists.

Last Lineup

James Rivera

vocals (ex-Destiny's End, Helstar, Killing Machine, Malice, ex-Seven Witches, ShadowKeep, ex-Vicious Rumors)

Gregg Gill

guitars

Eric Halpern

guitars (ex-Destiny's End, ex-Leatherwolf)

Mike LePond

bass (ex-Cauldron Born, Death Dealer, ex-Eternity's End, Ross The Boss, ex-Seven Witches, ex-Sleepy Hollow, Symphony X, ex-Them)

Rick Ward

drums



Discography


Welcome The End  
2004 Massacre
  1. The Day Upon You
  2. I Welcome The End
  3. Souless Inventions
  4. Hopeless Creator
  5. Fire In The Skies
  6. Distant Thunder
  7. Beyond The Black Field Of Stars
  8. Lost In Time
  9. Finding My Way
  10. Run With The Pack
  11. Restless And Wild
  • James Rivera
  • Gregg Gill
  • Eric Halpern
  • Mike LePond
  • Rick Ward




Copyright © 1995-2024 BNR Productions