Review By Sandy Storm

Artist: HELLION

Album: To Hellion And Back

Label: HNE/Cherry Red Records

Release Date: 1st April 2014

Tracklisting:

Disc One

‘Backstabber’
‘Driving Hard’
‘Don’t Take No For An Answer’
‘Break The Spell’
‘Up From The Depths’
‘Run For Your Life’
‘Get Ready’
‘Witching Hour’
‘Screams In The Night’
‘Upside Down’ Guitar Solo
‘The Hand’
‘Bad Attitude’
‘Tower Of Air’

Disc Two

‘Nevermore’
‘Exciter’
‘The Evil One’
‘Breakdown’
‘The Black Book’
‘Living In Hell’
‘Stormrider’
‘Demon Attack’
‘Resurrection/Will Not Go Quietly’
‘Shit (Is Gonna Hit The Fan)’
‘Dead and Gone’
‘Dream Deceiver’
‘Hell Has No Fury’

For those of us who grew up in the 80’s, the experience was intense. Metal came of age and the flood gates were opened onto the streets, and here in Los Angeles, the Sunset Strip was overflowing with metal heads. Clubs and concert venues packed to capacity and in 1982, in the beginning of it all emerged a metal band that crossed over boundaries by having a female fronted singer.

This band was/is called HELLION, the singer, Ann Boleyn. HELLION was the first female-fronted metal band to be featured on MTV and VH1 and the first US metal band to perform in the former Soviet Union on a Monsters of Rock Festival. The band has seen line up changes throughout the years, with the one exception and that is Ann Boleyn. Her raw ‘in your face’ voice has sustained through the years and has stayed true to metal.

Today, Hellion has a new line up which consists of original singer Ann Boleyn, drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, Queensryche, DIO and Dio Disciples) keyboardist Scott Warren (DIO, Heaven & Hell), bassist Bjorn Englenn (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio Disciples), and lead guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle. Hellion has recently contracted with London- based HNE / Cherry Red Records. The first of three Hellion albums set for release this year is this 2 disc anthology entitled “To Hellion And Back” which will be released on April 1, 2014.

This anthology brings you the history of HELLION. It takes you from the beginning in 1982, during the inception of ’80’s metal and its evolution, to the present, featuring new music such as the track “Hell Has No Fury”, which delivers a DIO flavored vibe.

Other songs worthy of mentioning are “Break The Spell” and “Up From The Depths” – straightforward metal laced with a good groove. “Storm Rider” is classic metal. It delivers a driving force with great guitar harmonies. “To Hellion And Back” features a collection of fan -favorites, hard to find recordings, and previously unreleased tracks. Among the collection are two songs that were produced by the late, great Ronnie James Dio. This is a real treat for all HELLION fans and a must have for any metal head that wants a piece of female- fronted metal history. The cover artwork was designed by Italian artist Gaetano Di Falco and inspired by the photography of P.G. Brunelli. Hellion will be on tour in Europe, and the UK in 2014 and are expected to appear in a number of major festivals.

Rating 7/10