Helion Prime is a power metal quintet from Sacramento, California whose dramatic, anthemic sound and songs reflect the powerful influence of science fiction and classic progressive metal. Their trademark approach features clean vocals, ringing twin guitars, and hooky melodies. Their name is borrowed from an alien planet featured in the film Chronicles of Riddick. The band was originally formed in late 2013 as a duo by guitarist Jason Ashcraft (Dire Peril) and vocalist/lyricist Heather Michele (Graveshadow). Between them, the pair had previously worked with Mark Briody (Jag Panzer), Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers), Andy LaRocque (King Diamond), Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon/Star One), and Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil). The concept was to equate power metal with song themes derived from actual scientific theories alongside the occasional sci-fi tribute. They cut Drake Equation, their initial two-song demo, as a duo the same year. In order to play live, they enlisted friends from Dire Peril and Axiom. In 2015, the outfit expanded to a quintet with the addition of bassist Jeremy Steinhouse and drummer Justin Herzer. Their self-titled long player was self-released in 2015 and co-produced by Michele and Ashcraft, and they hit the road through the American West and Southwest. Lead guitarist Chad Smith (Dead Revelator, Disforia) came on board in early 2016. Michele, who was also fronting Graveshadow, left to pursue that band full-time the same year. She was replaced by classically trained Washington, D.C. native Kayla Dixon (Witch Mountain). She joined to record 2017's Remnants of Stars, underscoring the band's commitment to dramatic, theatrical power metal and science. Herzer left to pursue another band and was replaced by drummer Alex Bosson (ex-Decomposition). Dixon departed the lineup after a tour in early 2018 to form Dressing the Dead, a performing and recording project. After auditioning a host of singers, Helion Prime settled on Cyprus-born vocalist and scientist Sozos Michael, who began his recording tenure with the band on 2018's Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster. ~ Thom Jurek