California’s Helsott are
kicking off 2022 with their first single and the title track off their
forthcoming concept album "Will
and the Witch," mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais
(Kataklysm, Ex Deo), being released this spring through M-Theory Audio. Since
their incarnation in 2019, Helsott have
amassed a respectable discography including two EPs and two
full-lengths. They have toured throughout North America and Europe
along with performing on several festivals including Wacken Open Air.
On this new record, Helsott goes
back to their roots along with adding orchestrations composed by the
band. Overall, "Will
and the Witch" will have more thrashy
elements and fewer orchestrations than their previous work, which
results in a bit less complexity than earlier albums, yet keeps the
essence intact while catching listeners off guard with new influences
befitting of the album’s theme, but maintains the group’s underlying
core that definitely is still Helsott. Vocalist Eric
Dow explains further:
“The album is a
concept recording. It’s basically a fan fiction story about how Billy
The Kid became the fastest gunfighter in the wild west. There are
southern vibes with banjo and fiddle. There are Native American vibes
with hand drums and flute. There is thrash metal, power metal, death
metal, and even acoustic campfire parts. We think there are enough
flavors on this album to keep any listener engaged and wanting to
listen over and over again. The title track explores the relationship
between the two main characters on the album. Musically it’s melodic
and thrashy, but also catchy and fun so I think this is a great song to
introduce the listener to the full-length."
The video for “Will
And The Witch,” created by Raf Ortega (Ayreon,
Subterranean Masquerade) can be viewed on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Gok7aEiO1Ys
Heavy, and eclectically enchanting, Helsott weave
tales from mythology and history and are recommended for fans of Amon
Amarth, Ensiferum, and Moonsorrow.
The full album "Will
and the Witch" is expected in May 2022 and
will feature a roster of many special guests.
For more info:
M-TheoryAudio.com
Helsott.com
Facebook.com/helsott
Instagram.com/Helsott
About:
Formed February 2010, Helsott, meaning “Fatal Illness” in Old-Norse,
are a Pagan Death Metal band from southern California. The band proudly
pays homage to pagan cultures and ancient mythologies while keeping
true to their American influences.
In 2011 Helsott won a Battle of the Bands competition in southern
California and their prize was time in the Vault Recording Studio in
Temecula, California. They recorded their first EP titled “Folkvangr”
and self-released it in early 2012. In 2013 the band embarked on their
first North American tour as part of the Paganfest festival tour
line-up which included Ensiferum, Tyr, Heidevolk, and Trollfest which
included a performance on the main stage at the New England Metal and
Hardcore Fest. In 2014 the band successfully crowd-funded their debut
full-length album, “Woven,” which was self-released to great reviews
all over the world. 2015 saw the band touring the U.S. again on a
summer headlining tour in support of “Woven” and a fall tour supporting
Arkona and Heidevolk.
In 2016 Helsott recorded their follow-up EP titled “The Healer'' which
was recorded in part at Trench Studios and mixed and mastered by J-F
Dagenais (Kataklysm/Ex Deo). January 2017 Helsott signed to M-Theory
Audio, begun by former Century Media USA president Marco Barbieri. In
May of 2017, Helsott embarked on their first European tour in support
of I Am Morbid featuring members of Morbid Angel, Trans-Siberian
Orchestra, and Metal Church. In June 2017 Helsott toured the west coast
with Tennger Cavalry and Felix Martin. In August of 2018, Helsott
embarked on their final tour headlining in support of “The Healer” EP
alongside labelmates Sicocis and friends Malphas. Helsott also
headlined the Maryland Folk Metal Fest on that tour. On October 12th,
2018, Helsott released their second full-length album “Slaves And
Gods”, via M-Theory Audio. They toured the west coast with Arkona and
Korpiklaani in direct support of the release. 2019 saw the band's
return to Europe playing the Wacken Winter Nights and Cernunnos Pagan
festivals in February. In July they played the 30th anniversary of the
Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. In the fall they toured Europe
alongside Skyforger, Finsterforst, and Enisum on the Pagan Warriors
Across Europe Tour.
In 2020 Covid-19 halted all of Helsott’s plans to play live and instead
they recorded their 3rd full-length album, “Will And The Witch”, which
is a concept album about the wild west gunslinger Billy The Kid. In
2021 Helsott re-signed with M-Theory Audio and will release the new
album in the Spring of 2022. In 2022 Helsott is scheduled to play the
Dark Troll Fest in Germany and they have been confirmed to play HRH
Vikings in England.
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