What makes A Distant Thunder by Helstar notable?

A Distant Thunder received critical acclaim from various heavy metal publications and has since been recognized as a classic of the power metal genre. The album's standout track, Tyrannicide, became an anthem for fans and helped solidify Helstar's reputation as one of the leading bands in the Texas metal scene during the late 80s. Released in 1988, A Distant Thunder was Helstar's third studio album, following their breakthrough record, Nosferatu. At this point, the band had solidified their sound and gained a dedicated fanbase within the heavy metal scene, particularly known for their theatrical themes and complex compositions.

How many songs are on A Distant Thunder?

A Distant Thunder has 9 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

A Distant Thunder

Helstar · 1988

43 min · 9 tracks · heavy metal

A relentless barrage of intricate guitar riffs and soaring vocals, encapsulating the essence of late 80s American power metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tyrannicide — This track showcases Helstar's signature blend of aggressive guitar work and lyrical depth, addressing themes of rebellion against tyranny with an anthemic chorus.
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Winds of War — With its epic structure and powerful instrumentation, this song captures the band's ability to weave narrative storytelling into their music, highlighting both technical prowess and emotional weight.
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(The) Whore of Babylon — This track stands out for its provocative title and vivid imagery, pushing boundaries lyrically while maintaining a catchy melody that exemplifies Helstar's distinctive style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, typical of late '80s power metal.

What we noticed

The album features rapid tempo changes, with tracks like 'Tyrannicide' shifting from aggressive verses to melodic choruses.
Guitar solos are prominent throughout, often taking center stage and extending beyond typical lengths for emphasis.
Vocals frequently employ high-pitched screams and harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the dramatic effect.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The King Is Dead 4:02
2 Bitter End 4:20
3 Abandon Ship 6:55
4 Tyrannicide 5:29
5 Scorcher 5:49
6 Genius of Insanity 5:01
7 (The) Whore of Babylon 2:32
8 Winds of War 6:08
9 He’s a Woman - She’s a Man 2:53

What to play next

Listen next

Nosferatu

1989

Go back to

Remnants of War

1986

Full Helstar discography Artists like Helstar

heavy metal power metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata