HELSTAR / SEVEN WITCHES frontman James Rivera has issued the following update:

"2008 was a great year, and I believe 2009 will be even better! I've impatiently bided my time to get the Helstar machine in full motion and finally that time has come. This year will see the U.S. release of the new album, The King Of Hell, through Locomotive Records, and the band playing various live shows throughout the States and Europe.

Another big news item is that Helstar has finally signed on with a worldwide management and booking agency, Intromental Management, based out of Denmark in Europe, with an office in North America. With this company's professionalism and experience in the real metal world, everything for Helstar should be smooth sailing from here on out!

Another good fortune came my way in 2008 when I had the privilege to spend a day with an old colleague, Jack Frost, guitarist and founder of Seven Witches. Several years have passed since I parted ways from the Witches camp, but we discussed the idea of me coming back and doing another Seven Witches record during down time from my Helstar schedule. Nowadays it seems common for many musicians to undertake more than one band or project to stay afloat with their music careers.

After serious consideration, I have accepted the offer to rejoin forces with Mr. Frost, for another Seven Witches record. Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X), who played bass in my previous project, DISTANT THUNDER, will be a part of the army, as well as drummer Taz Marazz. We have some dates already lined up for the East Coast in February and more on the West Coast in April.

With all of these blessings to my music career, plus the occasional 'fun' shows with my tribute band, SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH, it will be business as usual, and then some.

A big THANKS goes to out to all of my fans who give me the momentum to seek out these opportunities!"