Review | Helstar – The Devil’s Masquerade

Massacre Records

Helstar, the Texas-based heavy metal band, returns with a new album called ‘The Devil’s Masquerade’ and it is their eleventh studio album. Helstar was founded by James Rivera (vocals) and Larry Barragan (guitars), and the Helstar fold is completed by Michael Lewis (drums), Garrick Smith (bass guitar), and Alan DeLeon Jr. (guitars).

OLD SCHOOL

‘The Devil’s Masquerade’ features eleven old-school denim-and-leather heavy metal tracks, with demons and vampires serving again as the lyrical foundation. The opening track, after the diabolical intro, ,,Avernus” is an up tempo classic heavy metal song with churning riffs, furious guitars galore and the idiosyncratic vocals of Rivera, setting the tone for this album for sure. Follow up ,,Stygian Miracles” really sounds like Helstar back in the eighties; meaning hard-pounding drums and almost trashy riffing, while in ,,Carcass For A King” Helstar slows down the pace a bit, as that one is the first mid-tempo track of this album.

PROBLEM

,,The Staff Of Truth” features excellent furious guitar solos and it is a 100% pure metal anthem: a future live staple for sure. As a matter of fact, most tracks on ‘The Devil’s Masquerade’ are speedy metal anthems and that is also the “problem” of this album, the lack of variety and diversity. Furthermore, I am not really a fan of Rivera’s vocals, as they tend to be too theatrical, too nasal, and too monotonous and wearisome.

GUEST VOCALS

That is why my favourite track of this album is the instrumental ,,Suerte De Muleta”, an impressive song packed with excellent riffs, hooks and a high-pitched furious solo and second soaring guitar solo of riff master Barragan! Finally, Helstar ends this album with another speedy, almost thrashy song, featuring guest vocals by Jason McMaster (Watchtower) and Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus), ending this album with a heavy metal blast.

HELSTAR – THE CONCLUSION

‘The Devil’s Masquerade’ is a true heavy metal feast for headbangers who like old-school heavy metal in the veins of Nevermore or King Diamond, so buy or die and play it LOUD of course!!

Listening tip: ,,The Staff Of Truth”

Release date: 12 September 2025