Helker: Cara o Cruz | The eighth is the triumph?
(2023 – Cuervo Records)
There is something that cannot be discussed about Helker, and that is their bulletproof professionalism and that spirit of moving forward, no matter what. The year 2023 saw a new album, which is the one that concerns us, demonstrating once again that Helker is, some time ago, a serious thing and one of the best bands that exists in Argentina.
An eighth album is a great achievement, and Helker has gone through different stages, and they have gone through them all successfully and resiliently. They are already an important part of the history of Metal in Argentina, although it seems that, like most Argentine bands, they have a hard time getting general recognition as such, which may seem unfair given their history and the great albums they have been able to release. With “Cara O Cruz”, Helker continues in that attempt and truly, it is not in vain, quite the contrary. Here is a great album.
I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve had in my hands an album with fourteen tracks (despite the fact that compact discs can store between 70 and 80 minutes of audio), since lately the albums in general don’t exceed 10 or 11 tracks with all the fury. Besides that, we have an excellent production, both in the audio in general and in the songs, not to mention the graphics. With all that, it is really worth giving a chance to “Cara o Cruz”, which shows a very positive evolution of Helker.
There are modern airs in “Cara o Cruz”, and this is clearly perceived in “El Bien y el Mal” and “Revolución”, perhaps the most played songs, where Helker tries to approach a more modern sound and “try” a base with a lot of pounding and overload, but without negotiating their trademark, anchored in that mix between Melodic Heavy Metal and Power Metal (closer to the Gammaray/Blind Guardian tandem than to Stratovarious), for which they are already known. In fact, the closest to their classic sound can be heard in “Guardianes De Tu Creación”, “Abre Tus Ojos” or “Lejos de Vos”, excellent songs with that metal anthem feeling that Helker knows how to capture very well. With “Reacción” or “Ni Un Golpe Mas” you can notice an inclination towards a more visceral and accurate Heavy Metal, with a more classic, accelerated and violent sound. There is also space for “Gracias Por Tu Amor” or “Lejos de Vos”, ballads of a very good production. Everything is conjugated in an album concept that, as a whole, does not disappoint at all. In general terms, the overall sound of the album is rough, straightforward and direct, with a lot of emphasis on the guitars.
The work of the new vocalist, Matias Ochoa, is excellent to say the least. His debut on vocals gave much more strength and impulse to Helker’s proposal. A good addition. The rest of the band, always led by Mariano Rios on guitar, forms a solid block in which we can hear very good riffs and guitar orchestrations that really have nothing to envy to any band of the so-called big ones. What is left over is inspiration, professionalism and the desire to release a more than adequate album. Besides all that, there are the songs and, as we have already pointed out, there is enough good material to enjoy a good Metal album, that’s for sure. Regarding the lyrics, they are mostly personal, instropective, thought-provoking, although I highlight above all “Guardianes De Tu Creación” and its almost war cry “…no podrán callar nuestra verdad, Heavy Metal! (they will not be able to silence our truth…Heavy Metal!)
This album was recorded and produced by Mariano Rios himself at Garganta de Hierro Records studios in Buenos Aires, Argentina, mixed and mastered by Maximiliano Batista. The result is excellent, really a great production to make Helker sound really excellent. Regarding the graphic aspect, as we had already mentioned, the design, the production in general, the photographs, the detail of the slipcase and the general concept of the album is very good. Very well done indeed, especially considering that this is an independent production and that Helker is still betting on the physical format, something to applaud of course.
We know that Helker has released several of their albums in English, will this be the case? At least so far, that hasn’t happened, but it will surely be of interest to those who don’t speak our language. Even, apparently, their CD edition is the only physical format available. In any case, “Cara O Cruz” is worth its weight, and once again brings Helker to the top of their game, which is no small matter.
To get your hands on this great album, you can try https://www.facebook.com/CuervoRecords.
