Review: Helix – Scrap Metal
Perris Records (January 23rd, 2026)
Reviewer – Grant Foster
Another band who has survived into 2026, albeit that vocalist Brian Vollmer is the only original member left these days.
I saw Helix at the Marquee in 1985 and the band had two strippers onstage from the Daily Star.
Sometimes it’s the small details that live longest in the memory…….
‘Scrap Metal‘ features five new tracks and a bunch that have been released previously.
The current incantation of the band stays steadfastly true to its roots on the new numbers. It’s the 80’s every day in Helix’s world.
It’s no irony that the opener ‘Stuck In The 80’s‘ tells you everything you need to know.
It rocks harder than prime time Ron Jeremy. Good old fashioned hard rock with scorching vocals. An impressive feat from Vollmer who is in his 70’s.
Second song ‘Fast And Furious‘ sees the band burn into overdrive. You don’t have to guess with Helix’s song titles!
‘Pretty Poison‘ is another song that rocks furiously.
So far so good but, it’s the second half of the album where the quality dips. The last two numbers in particular are, well, lacklustre.
If however, typical 80’s hard rock is you thing, then this album will do a job.
Obviously the sales figures won’t be of those attained by the band back in the day with ‘Walking The Razors Edge‘ or ‘No Rest For The Wicked‘.
But Brian Vollmer is probably well aware of this. An old rocker doesn’t just give up when he’s having as much fun as say, well Ron Jeremy in his prime, does he?!
Bands like Helix used to be ten a Penny. Bands that can still cut it in an old school way are less these days.
Helix still do.
And sometimes that’s enough.
Tracklisting:
- Stuck in the 80’s
- Fast & Furious
- Pretty Poison
- Hot Heavy & Wild
- Money (Goes with Everything)
- Jaws of the Tiger
- Coming Back with Bigger Gus
- Danger Zone
- Tie Me Down
- Closer
- The Same Room
- The Pusher
Line-up:
Lead vocals: Brian Vollmer
Programmed drums: Aaron Murray
Drums: Greg “Fritz” Hinz/Earl Constant
Guitars: Kaleb Duck/Paul Hackman/Brent Doerner/Sean Kelly/Christopher Julke/Mark Chichkan/Daryl Gray