I know I speak for all reviewers in saying we get flooded with requests on a daily basis, and we can only take a small percentage of what we are offered, which means many “new” bands often get overlooked due to time. I saw the email come through, didn’t recognise the name and already had too much on and was just about to file when a name caught my eye. John Gallagher? What, John Gallagher from Raven? I stopped and read the details and realised that although I had no idea who guitarist/singer Alex Sciortino was (who apparently has dropped out of the sky), but had managed to get not only John involved on bass and backing vocals but also rhythm partner drummer Mike Heller (Raven, Malignancy). The result is good old fashioned American Power Metal combined with NWOBHM, and bloody excellent it is too.

Getting Gallagher involved was a great move as not only is he highly recognised within the scene (I bought my first Raven material more than 40 years ago), but he is an incredible bassist and one of the most high-pitched screamers in the business. Sciortino is a good singer, but not great, and if Helms Deep continue for a second album that is one area they might want to address as there are times when that does not stand up to the assault underneath. This is an album which is going to be missed by many as it is not on a major label, and that is a real shame as anyone who enjoys traditional power metal will find a lot on here to enjoy. We even get a classical guitar introduction on “Annihilation” which immediately made me think of the likes of “39/40”, although here it soon blasted into an intricate dual electric guitar approach which moves more into symphonic and away from NWOBHM.

There are a lot of double-tracked guitars and I am sure that when it comes to playing live the overall sound is quite different so wonder if they will bring in an additional guitarist when it comes to that. Maybe they could use Mark Gallagher and have Helms Deep open to Raven on a tour? I am sure that would be a load of fun and highly appreciated by fans. If you want your metal to have polish and refinement, but not too much, then this could well be for you.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/HelmsDeep666
https://www.facebook.com/NamelessGraveRecords/