Review | Helix – Scrap Metal

Perris Records

In the year 2024 Canadian rockers Helix (hailing from Ontario) celebrated their 50-year anniversary and the band around vocalist Brian Vollmer (the only original member remaining) is about to release their latest opus ‘Scrap Metal’. I must confess that I lost touch with the group for some time now, but I do remember their first record ‘Breaking Loose’ (1979) and their eighties releases ‘No Rest For The Wicked’ (1983) and ‘Walkin’ The Razors Edge’ (1984). At that time the band had a major deal with Capitol and scored a Canadian/US hit with the track ,,Rock You’’. After that Helix kept going, but numerous changes in the line-up plus a changing musical climate made things tough.

NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE

Because of the ‘never give up attitude’ that Brian Vollmer always had even in 2026 his brainchild Helix is still rocking and rolling. In 2004 Helix  found a steady home with Perris Records, a rock label led by Tom Mathers who is a devoted supporter of the group. The label has already launched 13 Helix-albums under the Perris banner. ‘Scrap Metal’ is an album that features five new tracks plus a bunch of tracks that have been released before . Opener ,,Stuck In The Eighties’’ is a hard rocking song that characterizes the style and preference of Helix. No nonsense power rock, launched straight in your face. In the eighties Helix was successful and they like to stay in that timeframe  and  musical environment.

They do not want to sound hip and modern, they are staying true to their roots which is good old fashioned heavy rock with loud guitars, scorching vocals and an energetic feel all around. I must say that they have succeeded to do so on ‘Scrap Metal’. I mean listen to the second song ,,Fast & Furious’’, where Helix goes into overdrive. Also, ,,Pretty Poison’’ rocks hard!

CONSISTENCY

Although the bulk of the album sounds pretty good towards the end of the album the consistency in the songwriting starts lacking. The last two songs (,,The Same Room’’ and ,,The Pusher’’) are rather boring. Luckily that cannot be said of several other songs, so at the end of the day ‘Scrap Metal’ most certainly has its entertaining moments.

HELIX – THE CONCLUSION

If you are in the mood for some typical eighties melodic hard rock lend ‘Scrap Metal’ an ear. Vollmer at the age of 70 is still a force behind the microphone while the guitarists Mark Chickan and Chris Julke serve up some tasty chops. I suppose Helix will not reach their sales they had with ‘No Rest For The Wicked’ or ‘Walkin’ The Razors Edge’ and I am sure that Brian Vollmer knows that as well. But it does not stop him doing what he does best and that is bringing his audience some honest heavy rock from the heart. Personally, I am surprised that after so many years Helix is still able to do a very decent job and sound as cohesive as they do on ‘Scrap Metal’.

Release date: 23 January 2026