Hellion: Hellion Re Edition 2025 |

The Old Way Works

(2025 – Disembodied Records)

Contemporaries of the early days of heavy metal in Argentina, sharing the stage with bands such as V8, Bloke, and many other bands of those years, Hellion had the opportunity to record an album between September and October 1983, which was released in 1984 and would ultimately be the band’s first and only recording, leaving an indelible mark on the history of heavy metal in Argentina. The album, which had already been reissued back in 1999, is now being re-released by the Disembodied Records label, which is something to celebrate and support, as recording gems like these are worth making available again in physical format.
Of course, how could the old stuff not work? In times when there is not much originality, or more attention is paid to style than to the music itself, listening to a gem like this Hellion album makes you think that perhaps it is not so much sonic refinement that is needed, but rather clear ideas to achieve good songs above all else.

In the era of leather, studs, and Metal, at the beginning of the genre here in Argentina, Hellion’s music is, logically, as traditional Heavy Metal as you can get, and even with the inevitable influence of the NWOBHM, perhaps marking a fundamental difference with the rougher and more stripped-down sound of V8, achieving better production in terms of sound and a much more polished base. Yes, it’s true, Hellion has traces of what could be called “hard rock,” but even so, its contribution to the history of Metal is undeniable.
What stands out most about this reissue is that it remains as faithful as possible to the original edition. First of all, it includes the seven original tracks that were on the album at the time. It was also decided to keep the original cover, which, however horrible it may be, is still the original cover that made this album famous, as well as identifying the band in some way. It might have been a good idea to add some extra material from the band to this new edition, such as demos or live recordings from that time, but it would also be necessary to see to what extent such material is in good enough condition to be released as “bonus tracks.” On the other hand, the fact that the album contains the songs it originally contained is not bad, not bad at all. We also don’t know if the original recording underwent any “remastering” process, as the inner sleeve does not indicate this, so for that reason and from what we hear, we are inclined to conclude that this edition is faithful to its original release.
“Panzer” is the first track on the album, and not only is it a classic within an album full of classics, but it also sets the tone for Hellion’s direction. Explosive is the adjective that best describes it, and even so, it can be said that its changes in tempo and rhythm within the same song make it one of the best tracks on the album and a free sample of what Hellion could achieve and offer. “Explotado” is an invitation to a more “rock” sound, with some influence from AC/DC or Scorpions. On the other hand, “Leyes” returns to a more metallic sound, and you can even notice a slight influence from early Iron Maiden.
Despite its title, “Asesinos De Metal” leans more towards hard rock than metal itself, and yet it still manages to awaken some metallic feelings, which is no small feat. “Necesitamos Rock And Roll” is exactly what the name says. Another Hellion classic, it has the feel of a rock anthem and the main theme of the album.
“Ojos De Chacal” is another Hellion classic, and in my opinion, the song where the band expands the most in terms of composition and experimentation. With a ballad-style intro and a mid-tempo beat, this is where Hellion best shows its strengths with extremely inspired lyrics and a much more accurate approach to Metal. Finally, “Sindrome,” the seventh and last track, leans much more towards a more metallic and furious sound, with an incredible and strident chorus.

From a distance, Hellion may sound like something light in terms of Heavy Metal, but let’s keep in mind the era in which it was released and how little metal there was in these parts (adding to that the fact that foreign information and releases were almost nonexistent at the time). Nor are we interested in the controversies surrounding Hellion in those years and whether or not it belonged to the world of heavy metal. What is interesting to note is what the album represents and what it brings with it; beyond the band’s influences, the truth is that Hellion brought with it a different approach at that time, and with a production slightly superior to the little that existed at the time. Yes, Hellion’s sound is not great, but you have to put yourself in the time and place to understand what was achieved with this album. One thing to highlight is the songs, which have an interesting structure in terms of their construction and composition, resulting in interesting and original tracks, beyond the logical influences. The lyrics of the songs are, to say the least, really interesting; a product of terrible years lived through, Hellion leaves its mark on the social and political sentiment of the 80s. They even have a certain lyrical flair and a different way of saying things, setting themselves apart from other contemporary bands in their way of expressing themselves.
After the release of this album, Hellion would break up as a band, leading vocalist Mario Ian to join Alakran, another band of that era. Yes, Hellion would return to the stage not long ago with a new lineup, but that’s another story. The fundamental story of Hellion is in this album, and obviously, it is an unmissable part of the history of Heavy Metal in Argentina. Fortunately, it is once again available in physical format, including on vinyl, which is also worth noting.
Whether you like it or not, Hellion is a fundamental part of the history of national heavy metal, and the re-release of this album, an essential piece of that history, which, old or not, still works…
To get this album, both on vinyl and CD, check out https://disembodiedrecords.ar/