KAINE TO SUPPORT US POWER/SPEED METAL LEGENDS HELSTAR IN LONDON ON AUGUST 31st

Helstar Live in London: US Power Metal Legends Hit The Black Heart Camden

For fans of pure, unadulterated 1980s American power and speed metal, 31st August 2026 delivers a historic moment. Legendary Houston metal titans Helstar are returning to London for their first headline show in 15 years. Given the small capacity of The Black Heart and the 15-year wait for Helstar’s return, this show is expected to sell out quickly.

Tickets: Available directly via The Black Heart Official Website

Taking over the stage at Camden Town’s premier underground venue, The Black Heart, this ultra-intimate show promises a night of high-octane riffing, neo-classical guitar shredding, and the iconic, soaring vocals of front-man James Rivera.

The Legacy of Helstar: Pillars of US Power Metal

Formed in Houston, Texas in 1982, Helstar rapidly carved out a reputation as one of the technical powerhouses of American heavy metal. Alongside peers like Crimson Glory, Jag Panzer, and Fates Warning, Helstar forged a distinct sound that fused the driving velocity of speed metal with intricate classical arrangements and razor-sharp thrash energy. Led by founding guitarist Larry Barragan and metal frontman James Rivera, Helstar dropped a series of defining 1980s metal masterpieces:

• Burning Star (1984): A roaring debut that instantly put Texas speed metal on the global map.
• Remnants of War (1986): A hard-hitting classic that raised the bar for speed and aggression.
• A Distant Thunder (1988): A landmark release showcasing dual-guitar complexity and soaring vocal range.
• Nosferatu (1989): Widely considered one of the greatest US power metal records of all time, blending dark Gothic vampire lore with blazing thrash riffs and jaw-dropping guitar work.

Decades later, tracks like “To Sleep, Per Chance to Scream” and “Baptized in Blood” remain essential listening for true metalheads.

Why You Can’t Miss Helstar at The Black Heart, Camden

London hasn’t hosted a full headline performance from Helstar in a decade and a half. Catching a band of this caliber in an intimate 150-capacity venue like The Black Heart in Camden is a rare treat. Nestled in Greenland Place right off Camden High Street, The Black Heart is world-renowned for its loud, sweat-soaked atmosphere and craft beer selection—making it the perfect setting for a night of classic heavy metal.