Helstar is an American heavy metal band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982 by guitarist Larry Barragan. They were an influential force in the American power metal genre emerging in the mid-1980s.

History

Early days and Combat era (1982–1986)

Helstar began with a basic heavy metal style in 1983 with two demos, followed by their first studio album in 1984 titled Burning Star for Combat Records, Mike Lepond and Garrick Smith took on live bass duties for upcoming shows. Helstar released their ninth studio album This Wicked Nest on April 25, 2014. Andrew Atwood joined as second guitarist in 2016 and contributed to that year's album, Vampiro. A compilation album, Clad In Black, was released in February 2021. The band's tenth studio album, and first in 9 years, The Devil's Masquerade was released on September 12, 2025.

Members

Current

  • James Rivera – vocals (1982–1995, 2006–present)
  • Larry Barragan – guitars (1982–1993, 2006–present)
  • Michael Lewis – drums (2010–present)
  • Garrick Smith – bass (2013–present)
  • Alan DeLeon Jr. – guitars (2024–present)

Former

;Guitars

  • Tom Rogers (1982–1985)
  • Rob Trevino (1985–1987, 2006–2016)
  • André Corbin (1987–1990)
  • Aaron Garza (1990–1995)
  • Mike Heald (1993–1995)
  • Andrew Atwood (2016–2024)

;Bass

  • Paul Medina (1982–1984)
  • Jerry Abarca (1984–1995, 2006–2013, 2025 touring)

;Drums

  • Hector Pavon (1982–1985)
  • René Luna (1985–1987)
  • Frank Ferreira (1987–1990)
  • Russel DeLeon (1990–1995, 2006–2010)

Timeline

Studio albums

  • Burning Star (Combat Records 1984)
  • Remnants of War (Combat Records 1986)
  • A Distant Thunder (Metal Blade Records 1988)
  • Nosferatu (Metal Blade Records 1989)
  • Multiples of Black (Massacre 1995)
  • The King of Hell (AFM Records 2008)
  • Glory of Chaos (AFM Records 2010)
  • This Wicked Nest (AFM Records 2014)
  • Vampiro (EMP Label Group, 2016)
  • The Devil's Masquerade (Massacre Records, 2025)

References

  • History of Helstar w/ Larry Barragan
  • Helstar – Nosferatu Thrash Metal Cassette Metal Blade Records United States
  • Picasa Web Albums – trc122797 – Helstar featu...