DISTANT THUNDER: Former HELSTAR Frontman To Launch New Band This Summer

April 28, 2004

DISTANT THUNDER, the new band featuring former HELSTAR/DESTINY'S END and current SEVEN WITCHES frontman James Rivera, have set "Welcome the End" as the title of their debut album, due this summer through Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Spyder Studio in Houston, Texas and was produced by Rivera's SEVEN WITCHES bandmate Jack Frost. The lineup of DISTANT THUNDER includes SYMPHONY X bassist Mike LePond, Z-LOT-Z guitar duo, Gregg Gill and Eric Halpern (also former HELSTAR and DESTINY'S END guitarist) and Rick Ward on drums.

Commented Rivera: " 'Welcome the End' is a concept from tracks one through seven that tie in the whole meaning behind the HELSTAR name and continues its chapters from some of the songs off the first three records. The album cover for 'Welcome the End' now brings out the character who has always represented HELSTAR.

"Within DESTINY'S END's two-album career, only one song carried my science fiction creation, which was 'The Watcher', and out of that song, lyrics were used to title five of the concept songs for 'Welcome The End'. Musically, DISTANT THUNDER has produced the most extraordinary emotions and thoughts, which delivered my story lines with complete feeling, plus naturally allowed me to cover new territory vocal wise. The meaning and concept of each song sound like what they are about and are very visual. The other two tracks not apart of the concept, 'Lost In Time' and 'Finding My Way', have a slight noticeable difference upon first listen and a very strong lyrical content. In this world, you either never find out what the hell you want and what it takes to obtain it, or you just face the fact that the whole meaning of life was never meant to be a simple task and the more you follow your dreams, the more your inner fears disappear."

The CD also includes a 2004 version of HELSTAR's "Run with the Pack" and ACCEPT's "Restless and Wild". A live performance debut of DISTANT THUNDER and video shoot is scheduled for May 15 2004 at Houston's F.B.I. Club. Massacre Records will be releasing the video on select European music video networks.

DISTANT THUNDER will be making their European debut in November of 2004. Specific dates will be announced soon on www.distantthunder1.com and sample mp3 clips of DISTANT THUNDER songs are also available on the web site. James will be back in the studio with SEVEN WITCHES in May for his second Sanctuary Records release with the group. A SEVEN WITCHES tour will kick off in June.

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