U.S. Power Metal Classic.
I originally discovered this record looking up the production credits for Randy Burns (no relation to Scott Burns as far as I know). He's the guy who recorded Dark Angel's Darkness Descends, which at this point is in my top teir of best sounding metal records of all time. I am fairly certain that this is the only record Helstar recorded with Burns. So glad I approached this record this way, because it made me stop in my tracks. It's just so much heavier than their other records to my ears. I'd listened to their other more widely heralded releases and this band just did not grab me. But this one really clicks with me. It's tight as f%$# and the riffs are off the chain bananas. I love the restraint of the singer. These guys exist at a perfect Venn Diagram intersection between power and thrash. They shred so hard with unbeatable spirit. Jaw dropping record.
_DJ Alibi