Helstar, Ignitor, Byfist, Force of Rage

These power/speed metal vets stretch back to the early Eighties, when the Houstonians shared a label with Megadeth and Exodus, and toured with everyone from Stryper to Yngwie Malmsteen. Four new LPs since a new millennial reunion peaked on last year’s Vampiro which appeared on ’Deth bassist Dave Ellefson’s label to universal acclaim. Fellow Lone Star metalheads Ignitor, Byfist, Force of Rage, and L.A.’s 9Electric ride into battle first.