First conceived through a common love of heavy metal and science, Helion Prime was born in 2014 when Dire Peril guitarist Jason Ashcraft joined forces with Graveshadow vocalist Heather Michele to forge a new project—between the two. Résumés boasted work alongside such greats as Andy LaRocque (King Diamond, Death, etc.), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Gamma Ray, etc.), Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil) and Brittney Slayes (Unleash The Archers). The name Helion Prime was borrowed from an alien planet featured in the 2004 film The Chronicles of Riddick. The concept? Power metal thematically based on actual scientific theories—with the occasional sci-fi tribute thrown in for good measure.
Their debut EP, The Drake Equation, followed in 2015, and Helion Prime’s lineup eventually solidified with the addition of Jeremy Steinhouse on bass and Axiom‘s Justin Herzer behind the kit. Almost precisely one year later, the group returned with a self-titled 10-track full-length: independently released by the band in mid-February of 2016 and already out of print!
DiveBomb Records has now stepped in to help Helion Prime expand upon their growing popularity by granting wider exposure to this epic album, packed with all of the fast-paced, high-energy guitar acrobatics one would expect from a power metal quartet—not to mention Heather’s uniquely soaring vocal harmonies—alongside a bounty of raging riffs that should appeal to fans of melodic Swedish death metal and traditional heavy metal fare alike… plus a few other surprise twists and turns to boot! The album will be re-released this coming August.
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