HELLADDICT'S SELF-TITLED EP IS A TOTAL RAGER—EN ESPAÑOL!

I try to rarely throw the “I’m Latina!” card out into the void. However, it’s contextually relevant for Helladdict’s beast of a self-titled EP, as the entire thing is in Spanish. Not only is this EP sonic gold, but it also affirms a thesis statement I’ve stood on for my whole life—music is the best way to learn another language if you’re barely making it out of 2nd-period Spanish I. Fear not! Helladdict makes it easy to understand the language, even if you frequently say things like, “I can understand Spanish, but I can’t speak it.” Regardless, this EP is pure, relentless heavy metal that doesn’t stop shredding for just around 14 minutes. Truthfully, my only complaint is that I wish it could be longer. From the first few notes of “Sombras” to the end of “Nuclear War,” Helladdict has found themselves in a fantastic position. Their artistic integrity remains intact as they shred an electric guitar.

The drums throughout ‘Helladdict’ stand out in every song, a magnetic force that I can’t focus away from. They roar on continually, avoiding overusing a double-bass kick drum the way much of modern metal tends to do. Instead, Helladdict focuses on tight yet emotive drumming that complements the rest of the song’s layers, rather than distracting from them. Helladdict’s compositional styles, in general, serve as a reminder of what good metal can do for the soul. Genuinely, they have the potential to transcend cultural divides, making a name for themselves at home and abroad. Seemingly small choices, such as a consistent drumming style, effortlessly maneuver their signature sound, drawing in a sturdy fan base over time.

Whether you know Spanish or not, ‘Helladdict’ follows a concise storyline that is audibly heard within the music. Their shredding is, of course, entertaining to listen to—but it serves a bigger purpose. These compositional elements serve as a reminder that instrumentals alone are powerful enough to tell a story. However, they are potent lyricists, especially if you take the time to translate the songs from Spanish to your native language. I recommend doing this; not only is it respectful to the artists, but it gives you added context that you might miss from sonic cues alone. Although everything, from guitar tones to lead riffs, makes it relatively seamless to understand the EP’s storyline without a translator on deck.

My only complaint about the EP is that it is very short! Running at just about 13 minutes, the self-titled metal rager feels like it ends in the blink of an eye. This could potentially be due to its relentless energy, which continues throughout. However, I think another song or two could have rounded it out—but maybe that’s just because I enjoyed it so much I didn’t want it to end. Regardless, it does feel like it’s missing something; not a significant loss, but palpable enough to think once the EP ends. The musicality and songwriting are intense, but there’s something that makes me give the EP 4 stars instead of a sturdy 5.

Of course, that is not to discourage Helladdict; I believe their work has the potential to make significant cultural waves. Music in popular genres sung in languages other than English is a powerful and ambitious tool for the masses. Their self-titled EP scratches the surface of their unbridled potential, and with time, the group will be able to harness it fully.