Helsott
Biography Helsott
Helsott
Formed February 2010, Helsott, meaning “Fatal Illness” in Old-Norse, are a Pagan Death Metal band from southern California. The band proudly pays homage to pagan cultures and ancient mythologies while keeping true to their American influences.
In 2011 Helsott won a Battle of the Bands competition in southern California and their prize was time in the Vault Recording Studio in Temecula, California. They recorded their first EP titled “Folkvangr” and self-released it in early 2012. In 2013 the band embarked on their first North American tour as part of the Paganfest festival tour line-up which included Ensiferum, Tyr, Heidevolk, and Trollfest which included a performance on the main stage at the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest. In 2014 the band successfully crowd-funded their debut full-length album, “Woven,” which was self-released to great reviews all over the world. 2015 saw the band touring the U.S. again on a summer headlining tour in support of “Woven” and a fall tour supporting Arkona and Heidevolk.
In 2016 Helsott recorded their follow-up EP titled “The Healer» which was recorded in part at Trench Studios and mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (Kataklysm/Ex Deo). January 2017 Helsott signed to M-Theory Audio, begun by former Century Media USA president Marco Barbieri. In May of 2017, Helsott embarked on their first European tour in support of I Am Morbid featuring members of Morbid Angel, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Metal Church. In June 2017 Helsott toured the west coast with Tennger Cavalry and Felix Martin. In August of 2018, Helsott embarked on their final tour headlining in support of “The Healer” EP alongside labelmates Sicocis and friends Malphas. Helsott also headlined the Maryland Folk Metal Fest on that tour. On October 12th, 2018, Helsott released their second full-length album “Slaves And Gods”, via M-Theory Audio. They toured the west coast with Arkona and Korpiklaani in direct support of the release. 2019 saw the band’s return to Europe playing the Wacken Winter Nights and Cernunnos Pagan festivals in February. In July they played the 30th anniversary of the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. In the fall they toured Europe alongside Skyforger, Finsterforst, and Enisum on the Pagan Warriors Across Europe Tour.
In 2020 Covid-19 halted all of Helsott’s plans to play live and instead they recorded their 3rd full-length album, “Will And The Witch”, which is a concept album about the wild west gunslinger Billy The Kid. In 2021 Helsott re-signed with M-Theory Audio and will release the new album in the Spring of 2022. In 2022 Helsott is scheduled to play the Dark Troll Fest in Germany and they have been confirmed to play HRH Vikings in England.
