HELION PRIME – Terror Of The Cybernetic Space Monster

The 2nd album from California Power Metallers, Helion Prime, continues their thematic blend of science fiction and fact, and the battle between good and evil.

After a requisite instrumental intro, “A King Is Born” emerges with riffs blending Heavy Metal aggression and Power Metal grandiosity adding rich vocals on par with Threshold or Dream Theater. While a listener might be able to leisurely nod along in head banging appreciation for this stellar tune, the next three songs require more athleticism. “Bury The Sun” blasts off quickly and never diminishes thrust. The song burns so bright with such variety, repeated listens are necessary to catch it all. “Atlas Obscura” maintains the high speed onslaught but manages to occasionally let the listener up for air by reducing the layers of complexity. “Urth” seeks to be memorable by repeating a majestic chorus sung with backup and complementary guitar solos. “The Human Condition” is the first song to venture into mid-tempo territory. The solo and backing vocals and creative riffs make it a memorable experience. Out of nowhere, “Spectrum” and “Silent Skies” downshift into power ballad territory. The former is forgettable fluff. The latter shifts back to speed and aggression with too little variation to be interesting. The closing title track clocks in at over seventeen minutes. Scary, right? Way too much time. Refreshingly, the band successfully avoids the trappings of self-indulgence and delivers an epic finale by bringing in numerous vocalists to surprise the listener and leaving space for slow and mid-tempo elements largely absent from earlier tracks.

While Terror Of The Cybernetic Space Monster doesn’t reach the crazed pace of DragonForce offerings, Helion Prime seems to share the same need for speed. It is recommended for fans of Power Metal who appreciate high speed fretwork and powerful vocals.

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TRACKLIST (Highlights: 2, 3, 6, 9)

1. Failed Hypothesis
2. A King Is Born
3. Bury The Sun
4. Atlas Obscura
5. Urth
6. The Human Condition
7. Spectrum
8. Silent Skies
9. Terror Of The Cybernetic Space Monster

LINEUP

Sozos Michael (vocals)
Jason Ashcraft (rhythm guitar)
Chad Anderson (lead guitar)
Jeremy Steinhouse (bass guitar)
Alex Bosson (drums)