Hellwell is a very exciting collaboration between cult guitarist Mark "The Shark" Shelton of Manilla Road fame and underground horror writer E.C. Hellwell, who lends his name to the band. All I can say is that these guys have put out the surprise album of the year for fans of mysterious epic metal.

Any Manilla Road fan should pick this up without delay. The sound is very close indeed to the classically majestic metal of that perennial cult favorite. Shelton's distinct voice remains the same, his scorching guitar work hasn't changed. This has the same larger than life feeling that typifies Manilla Road. But to this formula is added a new element: the massive keyboard work of Mr. Hellwell himself. I have never heard a band where guitar and keys combine as powerfully as they do here. Hellwell's keyboard sound is not the modern, digitally processed stuff...it's mostly huge waves of Hammond organ and organic analog sound in the Jon Lord vein, with the occasional burst of bizarre synth sound effects. It's hard to describe the monumental atmosphere these keys add to the music. It's totally immense!

Add the fact that the band is dealing with themes of Lovecraftian horror, serial killers and tales of the ancient past and you have one awesome band. This release will not be particularly easy to find, but it's well worth the hunt. I hope we hear a lot more from Hellwell.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012  Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Fans of true crime will immediately recognize the name of H.H. Holmes, America's greatest serial killer, who built an entire "castle" full of death traps to prey upon young women during the Chicago World's Fair of the 19th century. The song is a record of his evil deeds and starts with some wheezy old carnival sounding keyboards that almost seem like they could be from the 1890's.  Then Mark Shelton's loud guitars cut in with a slashing metal riff. This man can jam! The song is full of his great soloing, as is the album in general. Shelton's reedy vocals are mixed with sinister death metal grunts as the gruesome story unfolds.  Mr. Hellwell's keyboard work is strong and heavy and accentuates the guitar instead of detracting from it.