Legendary Canuck hard rockers HELIX have issued the following update from band leader Brian Vollmer:

"2012 was one of our best years yet. It saw the release of Smash Hits Unplugged (EMI) as well as Skin In The Game (Helix Records). Along the way we played all across the country with such great bands as ERIC BURDON, NAZARETH, THE HEADPINS, KIM MITCHELL, THE TEA PARTY, SAGA, HARLEQUIN, KICKAXE, TROOPER and STEPPENWOLF.

In Europe we played with ANVIL, EXODUS, TREAT, GHOST MACHINERY, and TNT.

Unfortunately, this year we didn't play any dates south of the border. This was partially due to the shitty state of the US economy. The ridiculous US work permits and their subsequent costs didn't help either.

In October I was invited to "mentor" Melanie Morgan and her band on the hit Canadian singing show, Cover Me Canada. This was a real boost to the band's (and my) profile. Lots of fun and a great experience.

In November the band went back into the recording studio to re-record 'Rock You', 'Deep Cuts The Knife', and 'Wild In The Streets'. Aaron Murray produced the tracks, but the focus of the session was really to make the songs sound as close to the originals as possible. We plan on using the tracks for future anthology CDs and to shop them in regards to TV, movies, ringtones, etc. Hopefully our investment will pay off."

Vollmer previously stated: Vollmer:

"Presently I'm dealing with several record companies in several territories (Canada/the US/Europe) on the possibility of releasing a Helix Anthology CD.

The CD would include about 20 tracks, covering all the Helix CDs over the years plus a couple of songs from my solo CD, When Pigs Fly.

Also included on the CD would be re-recorded versions of some of our biggest hits: 'Rock You', 'Heavy Metal Love', 'Deep Cuts The Knife', and 'Wild In The Streets'."

A tentative list of songs for the anthology includes:

'Billy Oxygen'

'It's Too Late'

'Heavy Metal Love'

'Rock You'

'Deep Cuts The Knife'

'Wild In The Streets'

'Dream On'

'Good To The Last Drop'

'Running Wild In The 21st Century'

'That Day Is Gonna Come'

'The Same Room'

'Wrecking Ball'

'Jaws Of The Tiger'

'I'm A Live Frankenstein'

'F.U.G.L.Y.'

'Six Feet Underground'

'Cyberspace Girl'

'Make 'Em Dance'

'Monday Morning Meltdown'

'Skin In The Game'

In other news, Helix have announced the following new live dates:

March

24 - La Maison - Cornwall, ON

May

5 - The Stubborn Mule - Sarnia, ON

The band's itinerary can be found here.

Further updates to follow.