Current Lineup Also Featuring:
Mark Simpson (FLOTSAM & JETSAM) - Guitars
Jeremy Varao (MERCYKILL) - Guitars
Jeff Baker (KINGS CHAMBER, AGGRESSOR) - Bass
Rob Daley (UNFEIGNED, AMERICAN BAD AZZ) - Drums
Past Bands:
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Albums:
DVD's:
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James Rivera uses PEAVEY Pro Comm® PCX U-1002 Handheld Wireless System
James Rivera Recommends NICE GUYZ TATTOO & PIERCING SHOP
Influences
Anything from The Beatles era to my first hero Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath) UFO, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Iron Maiden (the 80's British and German metal movement bands) Billy Joel, Steve Perry and even modern day melodic black metal. Non-metal or rock icons would be Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, and I dare not forget my late father's favorite as well, Mr. Tony Bennett.
With a total of sixteen albums under his belt, veteran singer James Rivera has proudly carried the torch of an accomplished metal front man for the past twenty-five years and counting. He is well renowned as the voice behind Houston, Texas, based progressive power metal act HELSTAR; a remarkable band established in the early 1980’s that is said to have put the city on the heavy metal map of the world. To this day Rivera is recognized as the sole member who single handedly kept the ensemble alive over the years despite numerous lineup transformations and hardships of the ever changing music industry. In addition to HELSTAR, Rivera has moved on to front various notable metal outfits during his music career and even composed several tribute bands. For complete HELSTAR band history, please visit www.myspace.com/helstar
DESTINY’S END, a technical, melodic power metal onslaught was formed in Los Angeles, CA, in 1998 at a time when HELSTAR had disbanded and the power metal genre was experiencing a resurgence. The outfit enjoyed several years of success with the release of two albums, coupled by US and European tours which proved to resurface Rivera’s name strongly. Alas, the band parted ways in 2001; the same year that Rivera assembled a re-vamped “reunion” lineup of HELSTAR to perform at festivals in both the US and abroad, which continued to make select appearances over the next few years. It was also at this time that the vocalist was recruited to front thrash metal pioneers FLOTSAM & JETSAM on their fall US tour.
The following year Rivera was inducted into the SEVEN WITCHES camp, a four-piece founded by guitarist Jack Frost, which also consisted of bassist Joey Vera (ENGINE, ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING) and drummer Brian Craig (DESTINY’S END). The singer had also recently relocated from Houston to Tampa, Florida, the death metal capital of the US, where he worked with noteworthy musicians in side-projects and tribute bands, creating an even more superior name for himself. By 2004, Rivera had returned to his native Houston and constructed a “rebirth” of HELSTAR with his opus, DISTANT THUNDER, also featuring bassist Mike Le Pond (SYMPHONY X). The band saw one album release and a scant amount of live performances, only to discover that many old-school fans preferred HELSTAR over DISTANT THUNDER.
KILLING MACHINE became the next calling for Rivera. This stellar ensemble included such acclaimed artists as bassist Dave Ellefson (F5, ex-MEGADETH), drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Y&T, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, ex-MEGADETH) and guitarist Juan Garcia (AGENT STEEL). Soon thereafter, Rivera was also asked to join the ranks of long running San Francisco bay area metallers VICIOUS RUMORS, lead by guitarist Geoff Thorpe, which also spotlights guitar icon Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER, OZZY OSBOURNE). The most highly anticipated news arrived in 2006, when it was announced that HELSTAR would reunite as the classic ‘Remnants of War’ lineup for the 20th Anniversary of the album’s release. By 2007 the classic reunited lineup garnered the interest of AFM Records, located in Hamburg, Germany, with whom they ultimately signed a four album worldwide distribution deal.
For a comprehensive history of the national recording artist’s achievements from his beginning in HELSTAR, to the present time, please visit www.jamesrivera.net/discography.htm
New HELSTAR Album ‘THE KING OF HELL' NOW AVAILABLE!!! AFM Records (Europe) Locomotive Records (U.S.A.)
“Helstar are unparalleled in bringing music to a whole new level. This is the metal we grew up on” Chris & Will Adler from LAMB OF GOD
‘Sins of the Past’ 2007 Release AFM Records (Europe) Locomotive Records (U.S.A.)
SOTP consists of 11 re-recorded, revamped classics, along with two brand new songs, plus a *DVD documentary on the making of the record! (*on AFM Records release only)
To all our fans We would love to have your support on Friday at Maniacs Rock Bar starting at 8:00 p.m. it will be our Demo release Party/Show come to this free event and show your support for Aggravator, Bad Obsession, and Force Of Genocide
P.s. Don't forget to pick your demo up at the show
£leTriKa sounds completely different from any Metal band you have ever heard. The Brazilian rhythms and the Portuguese language added to the songs makes its style unique, giving birth to a new kind of Metal. If you are really looking for something new about Metal, you should check £leTriKa out!
whats up james? still rockin here in vegas trying to get on the road, hope all is well, look me up again next time you are in si city, steve www.myspace.com/kiljadenband
TIME FOR LEGENDS: PAUL DI ANNO (ex-Iron Maiden) + JAMES RIVERA (Helstar) LIVE in Lünen!
Am 19.12.09 steigt das METAL CITY FESTIVAL VII mit einer lebenden Legende als Headliner: PAUL DI ANNO (ex-Iron Maiden) und seine Band THE PHANTOMS OF THE OPERA werden das Lükaz in Lünen zum kochen bringen, außerdem mit dabei sind PERZONAL WAR, DELIRIOUS feat. James Rivera (the voice of HELSTAR) mit einem Judas Priest Set-Special und McDEATH. Desweiteren findet am 28.11.09 die große PAUL DI ANNO WARM UP PARTY statt mit jeder Menge Iron Maiden Songs aus Pauls Ära, Verlosung von Merchandise und vielem mehr!
Sicher Dir jetzt dein Ticket für das METAL CITY FESTIVAL VII am 19.12.09 für schlanke 10 Euro im VVK! Die Tickets gibts direkt im LÜKAZ in Lünen oder du bestellst per E-Mail: MCF-Tix@gmx.de (bitte Anschrift und gewünschte Ticketmenge angeben)
RUNNING ORDER
Doors open: 19.00 Uhr 19.30 Uhr – 20.00 Uhr: McDEATH 20.20 Uhr – 21.20 Uhr: DELIRIOUS feat. James Rivera (the voice of HELSTAR) 21.40 Uhr – 22.25 Uhr: PERZONAL WAR 22.45 Uhr – 00.15 Uhr: PAUL DI ANNO & THE PHANTOMS OF THE OPERA
Hi James, here is Christian of the METAL CITY FESTIVAL Crew, so cool, that you will be our special guest - see you on December 19th in Luenen with a lot of beer, metal and the great cook from Hell called Bernd! ;-) Cheers from Germany, Christian
Am 19.12.09 steigt das METAL CITY FESTIVAL VII mit einer lebenden Legende als Headliner: PAUL DI ANNO (ex-Iron Maiden) und seine Band THE PHANTOMS OF THE OPERA werden das Lükaz in Lünen zum kochen bringen, außerdem mit dabei sind PERZONAL WAR, DELIRIOUS feat. James Rivera (the voice of HELSTAR) mit einem Judas Priest Set-Special und McDEATH. Desweiteren findet am 28.11.09 die große PAUL DI ANNO WARM UP PARTY statt mit jeder Menge Iron Maiden Songs aus Pauls Ära, Verlosung von Merchandise und vielem mehr!
Sicher Dir jetzt dein Ticket für das METAL CITY FESTIVAL VII am 19.12.09 für schlanke 10 Euro im VVK! Die Tickets gibts direkt im LÜKAZ in Lünen oder du bestellst per E-Mail: MCF-Tix@gmx.de (bitte Anschrift und gewünschte Ticketmenge angeben)
RUNNING ORDER
Doors open: 19.00 Uhr 19.30 Uhr – 20.00 Uhr: McDEATH 20.20 Uhr – 21.20 Uhr: DELIRIOUS feat. James Rivera (the voice of HELSTAR) 21.40 Uhr – 22.25 Uhr: PERZONAL WAR 22.45 Uhr – 00.15 Uhr: PAUL DI ANNO & THE PHANTOMS OF THE OPERA
Oh It's Halloween...
Every Night To Me Is Halloween
Like An Ancient Scene
You Know Just What I Mean
Halloween You Are My Pride
Halloween Not Just A Dream...
Hey, thanks for the add and support! We really appreciate your friendship! Watch for our next album; 'Halls of Karma' in 2010, folowed by a tour. We're working on investors and we'll be getting into the studio soon...
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UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore says this about WildeStarr "Arrival".... "Dave and London open up a big ole can of melodic heavy metal whoop ass on this one. At times the tunes remind me a little of Dream Theater. Dave has made a great transition from bassist to guitarist. This CD definitely rocks heavily!"
Vicious Rumors guitarist Geoff Thorpe says.... "Its great to see Dave and London lay it down like this!! After working with Dave in Vicious Rumors for so many years I can't say I'm surprised at how great this new WildeStarr CD is. Dave has always been vary serious and focused and has transformed himself into a killer guitarist. London sounds like the new Queen of heavy metal vocals and the Arrival CD flat out kicks ass!!! Dont be surprised if you see me on stage in WildeStarr on tour in 2010."
Michael Fischer from KNAC.COM says.... "WildeStarr “Arrival” is a Progressive Rock Masterpiece! Hands down this is the best record of 2009! WildeStarr has a sound and chemistry that rivals Mercyful Fate and Dream Theater and a presentation that stands alongside records like Queensryche’s Operation Mindcrime."
To download the title track FOR FREE, please visit: