Texas-based metallers HELSTAR check in with the following update:

"It’s been long overdue for an update on what’s happening in the Helstar camp, so we figured what better way than to announce our new drummer, Mikey Lewis!

Some of you may remember Mikey from last summer’s Headbanger’s Open Air Festival or even the last 4 shows we played here in Texas back in September and December.

Mikey is not new to the Helstar family. We’ve all known him for many years and in fact, he toured Europe with James’s Helstar reunion shows in 2004. Mikey is a solid drummer with impeccable timing and sense for what a song needs! He grew up on Helstar and was also heavily influenced by the major thrash drummers of the 80s. He is a very welcome addition to the family and we can’t wait for you all to hear him!

We also would like to take this opportunity to thank our long time brother, Russell De Leon, for all he has contributed to the band over the years. We've had MANY crazy, fun times together and he will be missed! Russell has moved on to other personal endeavors and we wish him nothing but the best and remain very close friends with him.

In other news, we are very happy to announce the launch of both our new Facebook site and youtube channel! These mediums will enable us to provide quicker updates via Facebook and even some cool never before seen videos we’ve taken over the last several years. We’ve noticed that there are several different fans out there that’ve posted videos of our songs either on drums or guitars. We will probably post some short guitar lessons out there, so all you guitar players, get ready! To visit the sites go to the following links: facebook.com/helstar.metal, youtube.com/user/helstarmetal.

In related news, we are also in the midst of revamping our official web site and an announcement on it will follow in the coming week or so. The web site will contain a web store and be interactive! We’ve been reviewing the staged site with our web master and it is coming along killer! We just have a few more items to flesh out and it’ll launch soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Whew, that was a lot of news, aye? Well, stay posted, we’ve got more announcements to follow as soon as details are firmed up!"

More on Helstar at this location.