Helion Prime
From:
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Helion Prime News
Below is our complete Helion Prime news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Helion Prime Shares New Lyric Video
Helion Prime have released a new lyric video for the fourth single "Photo 51" off of their upcoming album "Question Everything" due out on October 5th in North America along with Europe via their label Saibot Reigns and October 28th in Japan via Ward Records. The Japanese CD version will feature two exclusive bonus tracks "Prof (Demo)" and "Rain (Trivium Cover)" (track listing below) and is available for pre-order here. The North American/EU pre-order at https://helionprimemetal.com/shop.
The band comments on "Photo 51":
"We are very happy to release the final single for our album 'Question Everything,' which comes out one week from today! This song is called "Photo 51" and based on... Photo 51! The first photograph of DNA. This song is a favorite among the band from the new album and those who have heard it seem to claim it as a favorite as well! It might just become a new staple in our live sets! We hope you enjoy 'Photo 51!' And thank you to Scott Kennedy from 12 Inch Media for creating it." More...
Helion Prime Posts New Lyric Video Online
Today Helion Prime releases the second single for their upcoming album "Question Everything" out October 5th, 2020.
The single "Madame Mercury" is based on NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson. Johnson studied how to use geometry for space travel. She figured out the paths for the spacecraft to orbit (go around) Earth and to land on the Moon. NASA used Johnson's math, and it worked! NASA sent astronauts into orbit around Earth. Later, her math helped send astronauts to the Moon and back. NASA could not have done these things without Katherine Johnson and her love for math!
Today would have been Johnson's 102nd birthday had she not passed away earlier this year. There was no better way to release this song than with a video honoring her life's achievements on her birthday!
Guitarist Jason Ashcraft adds:
"When researching everyone for this album each story was inspiring in their own way, but Katherine's was one that really spoke to me. I admit I didn't know much about her before starting this album, but I can confidently say after learning all I did about her she's definitely a hero of mine. She was an amazing person and I hope this song can in some small way honor everything she's done." More...
Helion Prime Reveals New Album Details
It's been about two years since the band's sophomore release "Terror Of The Cybernetic Space Monster," and Sacramento sci-fi power metallers Helion Prime return with their third effort and the much shorter title, "Question Everything," set for release on Monday, October 5 via their label Saibot Reigns.
This is Helion Prime's first album with new vocalist Mary Zimmer, who has also accompanied the band on two separate tours of the United States. It also sees the band's original singer, Heather Michele, returning in a writing capacity and contributing all lyrics and melodies. Heather Michele also along with other former Helion Prime vocalist Sozos Michael and with John Yelland (Judicator/Dire Peril) add their guest vocals on the full length.
The third record is a concept album, with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history who had the courage to question the status quo of their respective worlds/societies, in some cases even dealing with harsh persecution as a result. Those Helion Prime chose to write about-faced prejudice, mockery, ex-communication, and persecution - yet through it all, they held true to their beliefs and ideas. Time would be their greatest ally as their ideas and identities were eventually validated, oftentimes not until after their passing. They serve as an inspiration for all minds to continue thinking outside the box and staying true to themselves. More...
Theocracy To Headline Mad With Power Fest
Villains and heroes alike will once again come together on August 10, 2019 to enjoy a buffet of power metal, arcade games and other nerdy delights at the third Mad With Power Festival in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. This one-day fest boasts seven kickass bands playing a variety of power metal and an exclusive appearance from Phillip Ahn, M.D. the actor who played Shang Tsung on Mortal Kombat II.
Headbanging isn’t the only thing to do at the fest, attendees can enjoy tons of free pinball and arcade games; try to beat your friend’s high score or destroy them with a head splitting fatality! Concert goers can expect other entertainment that includes metal opera battles, a heavy metal video game themed museum, and perusing the nerdy goods sold by vendors all whilst sipping the official Bos Meadery “Mad With Power” mead. You can buy tickets for the event here
Bands performing at this event include:
Theocracy
Lords Of The Tridet
Judicator
Helion Prime
Novareign
Widow
Fiakra More...
Helion Prime Streaming New Single
Helion Prime is immensely pleased to present new single "Remnants of Stars" via AFM Records. Guitarist Jason Ashcraft comments:
"I'm very excited with how this song turned out. It holds true to the Helion Prime sound, but adds a few new elements into the mix. Kayla's vocals are powerful and in your face. Her darker bluesy tone also adds a nice touch. Alex's drumming is monstrous, and I feel it really shines on this single. A great taste of what's to come from both of them! Chad also makes his recording debut with us, offering a very tasty solo that compliments the song well!"
The single will appear on Helion Prime's sophomore album, which has a working title of "The Terror of Saibot," and is expected for release in late 2017/early 2018. Stick around for more details in the coming months. More...
Helion Prime Signs With AFM Records
Sacramento based science fiction power metal band Helion Prime is the newest addition to the AFM roster. The group, founded by guitarist Jason Ashcraft, has been active since 2014 and issued a self-released debut CD in 2016. The band recently split with vocalist Heather Michele Smith and replaced her with Witch Mountain vocalist Kayla Dixon.
AFM Records will officially release the album, titled "Helion Prime," on February 24th worldwide.
From Science Fact to Science Fiction … that’s the lyrical range of topics for Helion Prime. The band is a refreshing, high class addition to the scene - highly recommended to check out for fans of Iron Savior, Star One, Dream Evil, Iced Earth and even Amaranthe. It’s melodic, at times rough, classic but modern at the same time, throughout cleverly arranged and adds a unique touch to it. Helion Prime is a band that combines epic (female) vocals with strong guitar work and a natural instinct for killer melodies. Watch out for things to come from this amazing new and promising group. More...
OpEd
2016 Metal Newcomers Explored, Pt. V
Whether you agreed with our 2016 Staff Awards or not, one of the things we take great pride in at MetalUnderground.com is being able to unearth some new acts (or acts just releasing a full length album in the current year) that you should take notice of.
We pour over literally thousands of new albums between all of the staff and there is a reason: the quest for great metal. I'm sure I do not stand alone in the belief that once you lose the desire to seek out new bands, you've given up on the scene. Metal should be perpetual and though there are so many acts out there trying to get attention, this should not dissuade you from the hunt. One of the biggest problems in metal fandom is falling into the lazy trap of saying "no good music is made these days" or "nothing can ever be better than the music of the 80's, or 70's, or 90's." The hunt for great music is the driving force for passion for music and it is imperative as fans that we continue to do it.
So for this final installment of Newcomers 2016, I wanted to draw attention some bands not nominated, but would fall in line as "6-10" on my list for 2016. Hopefully, you will find something you like. More...
Helion Prime Recruits New Vocalist
Following the departure of vocalist Heather Michele, Helion Prime has recruited new member Kayla Dixon (Witch Mountain). The band comments:
"Helion Prime welcome Kayla Dixon as their new lead vocalist!! Please join us in welcoming the very talented Kayla to the band. Her charm and talent will no doubt be a great fit for us and we are excited to start working with her! Check out the video below."
Helion Prime Parts With Vocalist
Helion Prime released a self-titled album earlier this year, and now that I'm looking at it again, it probably should have made our list of the best cover art from 2016. As the year comes to an end, Helion Prime has an important announcement to make as the band parts ways with vocalist Heather Michele. This message was posted online via the group's Facebook page:
"The rumors that have been circulating for awhile are true. Heather has decided to part ways with the band and continue on a different path. We wish Heather the best in everything she does but the story of Helion Prime does not end here. Stayed tuned for more announcements to follow and a lot of great things to look forward to in 2017!
"We know this may come as a shock and disappointment to some but we respect her decision and wish her the best. Helion Prime will continue on and keep the momentum we have going strong. We are very excited with what we've accomplished so far and look forward to seeing what the future brings." More...
Divebomb Records Inks Deal With Helion Prime
Fast becoming home base for an elite squadron of U.S. heavy metal troops, Divebomb Records is proud to enlist science-centric Sacramento, CA power metallers Helion Prime to a growing roster that already includes such acts as Wulfhook, Zephaniah, Everthrone, Final Sign and Judicator. Helion Prime's self-titled full length debut album will see release via Divebomb Records on August 12th.
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.), Mark Briody (Jag Panzer), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-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 the 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! More...
Helion Prime Posts New Single Online
California power metal band Helion Prime is now streaming a new single titled "Into The Black Hole," taken off the band's self-titled debut due out on February 15th, 2016. The album's full track listing is as follows:
1. Into the Alien Terrain
2. The Drake Equation
3. Life Finds a Way
4. Into the Black Hole
5. A Place I Thought I Knew
6. Keep What You Kill
7. Ocean of Time
8. Moon-Watcher
9. Apollo (The Eagle Has Landed)
10. Live and Die On This Day More...