PRESS RELEASE:
American power metallers Helion Prime have just released a new version of their song "The Drake Equation", which first appeared on the band's 2016 self-titled debut album. The re-recorded single is to celebrate the new custom "Drake Series" guitars made by Helion Prime fan Eddie Julian for founding guitarist Jason Ashcraft as well as to showcase the band in its current line-up.
Guitarist Jason Ashcraft had this to say:
"I'm very excited to finally have these new guitars in my hand. Each guitar is completely handmade from scratch. Both modeled after the Les Paul and Explorer body shape, but with tweaks to meet my specifications. The explorer is thicker and both headstocks are reinforced to prevent them from snapping. When Eddie Julian made these, I asked if we could take the inspiration from the custom designs that Gibson uses, but that we of course make them our own and something that will compliment my playing style. Both are great for those heavy riffs I like to play! Each guitar has a 12th fret inlay of my other band Dire Peril's emblem and both have an engraving of my band Helion Prime's emblem. The explorer has the Seymour Duncan Nazgul & Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set while the Les Paul is packed with Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups. When it came time to paint them, The Drake Equation kept coming to my mind, and just felt like it would really pop on these guitars and it really did! That also lead to the idea to re-record the track. Re-Recording some old songs with our current line-up is something we've talked about in the past and this felt like a great opportunity to do it and let me show off these new guitars!"
This re-recording of "The Drake Equation" is just the first of new things to come from Helion Prime this year! Stay tuned as they will have more to announce.
"The Drake Equation" can be heard via Jason Ashcraft's playthrough showcasing the "Drake Series" guitars at the following link: https://youtu.be/83DnEXDrino
Helion Prime latest full-length "Question Everything" was released this past October for North America and Europe via the band's label Saibot Reigns along with a Japanese edition via Ward Records that featured two exclusive bonus tracks "Prof (Demo)" and "Rain (Trivium Cover)". This is Helion Prime's first album with new vocalist Mary Zimmer, who has also accompanied the band on two separate tours of the United States. It also sees the band's original singer, Heather Michele, returning in a writing capacity and contributing all lyrics and melodies. Heather Michele also along with other former Helion Prime vocalist Sozos Michael and with John Yelland (Judicator/Dire Peril) add their guest vocals on the full length.
Album order for Japan / Asian market available HERE.
Album order for North America/EU available at Helionprimemetal.com (CD), Apple Music, and Spotify.
"Question Everything" was produced by Jason Ashcraft and Alex Nasla. Mixing was done by Chris Collier and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima along with additional mixing/drum edits/reamping plus writing and performance of keyboard arrangements by Alex Nasla of Gear Gods Studio. Guitar/Bass edits by Michael Goodrich and cover art by Marc Whisnant.
The third record is a concept album, with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history that had the courage to question the status quo of their respective worlds/societies, in some cases even dealing with harsh persecution as a result. Those Helion Prime chose to write about faced prejudice, mockery, ex-communication, and persecution - yet through it all, they held true to their beliefs and ideas. Time would be their greatest ally as their ideas and identities were eventually validated, oftentimes not until after their passing. They serve as an inspiration for all minds to continue thinking outside the box and staying true to themselves.
Previous Videos:
"Question Everything" YouTube (Music Video)
"The Forbidden Zone" YouTube (Lyric Video)
"Madame Mercury" Youtube (Lyric Video)
"Gadfly" YouTube (Music Video)
"Photo 51" YouTube (Lyric Video)
Helion Prime is:
Mary Zimmer - Vocals
Jason Ashcraft - Rhythm Guitars
Chad Anderson - Lead Guitars
Jeremy Steinhouse - Bass
Alex Bosson - Drums
For more info:
Helionprimemetal.com
Facebook.com/helionprimemetal
Instagram.com/helionprimemetal