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With band-members from Latvia, Greece, and The Netherlands, Metal outfit Helestios prove that when it comes to Metal, there are no boundaries. Debut album ‘Your Pain Tastes Good’ was released last year and vocalist/guitarist Henrijs Leja was on hand to talk to us about it, as well as delving into the Helestios mantra. Introduce yourself to the band, below, check out ‘Your Pain Tastes Good’, and crank the sucker up, for it is rather tasty!
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
We exchanged some ideas with guys already a few months earlier but it’s fair to say Helestios was formed in early 2020 and assumed its mission, direction, and sense of movement since then. Coincidentally enough the outbreak of deadly plague happened and Umbrella corporation took over the world governance soon after and ever since we are trapped in homes and scared of the undead to come and feed on us… So through this time we got our debut album together and managed to get some positive attention from like-minded metal listeners which is awesome! Also perhaps worth mentioning we are from three different European countries.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
Well, thanks to this whole situation with deadly plague and zombies everywhere looking to take your life – we haven’t been able to do any gigs whatsoever with Helestios and it sucks big time! I know there’s been these ideas of making virtual gigs and all, but let’s face it – it’s not the same at all and if I want to watch some recorded live performances it’s just a few clicks away on the internet. Live performances are about the atmosphere you’re in, people around you, talking to strangers, and enjoying it because everyone is connected through music/event!
What should people expect when they check the band/you out? How would you describe yourself?
Every decent metalhead will agree there are certain bands you just can’t avoid. And so they’re always somewhere at the back of your head regardless. We didn’t try to mimic any particular band or act – it was more like a journey of events and feelings that we wanted to put in through the album and so we mainly focused on that. So I would say expect mixed genres metal music and lots of energy – we don’t hold back and we do enjoy mixing variations of metal – It’s like a blacksmith finding the best proportions of iron, bronze, etc to create his masterpiece – we’re doing the same – melting, smelting and forging new metal songs!
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
I have no idea. We’re not looking into it, to be honest with you. The whole idea of Helestios is in expressing ourselves about the world that’s around us – the unfair stuff that’s going on, the greed and control, suppression and monitoring in the name of your own safety, eventually trapping us and making us unable to do things we normally do. We already said this before – we are here to stand together with like-minded people for our freedoms and for the right things! We don’t have the intention to be political or religious or anything else – but if there is a subject we feel deserves to be talked about – we do so!
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
They can’t because we’re still doing it… ( laughs) Best thing is to follow us on social media and announcements because there are still a thing or two that will be released in foreseeable future and even though nothing more I shall say right now, I’m really excited about it and can’t wait to tell and show more!
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
We could open many bands, we’re pretty confident we’ll do a good job!
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
Not the slightest idea – there are so many good bands out there and to be honest with you, it’s not about who breaks out – it’s about who can stay there for at least a decade or two at least and keep working – those are the ones deserve talking about!
What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Oh, it’s been a pretty classic story for us – I think everybody in Helestios been influenced and inspired by metal bands since we were kids, so thinking of getting out there and playing been there since early days I guess. But one thing that really re-ignited the idea of creating a musical album was a lot of modern world stuff that’s going on. People been divided by so many things – religions, races, certain political views, and so forth – and all to make you feel belonging to one or another group so they can suck the life out of you and the money of course too – and you don’t even realize that! So many ways of manipulating people and using them. And I guess to distract from the obvious truth – the power lies with majority of people – it’s us who decided we want politicians to govern us – it’s us who can decide that we need a different set of rules now! At the end of the day, why wouldn’t we – if current ones are trying to use every opportunity to suppress ordinary people. They used to sell plastic bags in airports for 1 pound (slightly overpriced wouldn’t you say?) so you can put your perfume in there – because otherwise it’s not safe and it could be used in the airplane for some unsafe reasons… So how can we increase the business? Oh I know – let’s roll out a deadly plague and now everyone needs to do a test that’s gonna cost you 100 pounds! Yes, this is way better isn’t it? And so far we’ve been too passive here guys! We need to protest more against things like this! I mean this is just an example and there’s so much more to talk about, but in a nutshell – hope this covers it!
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
H. Me personally, Sisters Of Mercy and Devin Townsend.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
H. I have actually dismissed my personal Spotify account due to many musicians complaining about payout proportions. And until I see any musician with authority telling me “yes ok, they are better now”, until then I will keep not using it. We still have a Helestios band account on Spotify so everyone is free to do what they feel like. But things like these actually are the ones we (people) can make an impact and change for the better!
Although 2020 was a year to forget for many reasons, there was some incredible music released; what would be your album of 2020?
Your Pain Tastes Good – Helestios
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
I’d say we’re moderately active – we post stuff when we have something to say. I know it’s not how the cookie rolls and you should be posting what you’re having for breakfast, what colour socks you’re on, and tell all about yourself through 30-second videos… well I guess in this sense we’re practicing eighties and nineties type of behaviour. If you think you can cope with that – look for us on Facebook, Instagram – I’d say these are where we tend to put news out first hand!
