Search - Helix: 30th Anniversary Concert on DVD

Canadian Rock Institution Turns 30 With Style

Sampson Simpson | Canada | 06/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Helix' new DVD, the 30th Anniversary Concert, is one of the best rock videos available, period. This band has so much history, and most of it was onstage that night, July 17 2004.

Kitchener, Ontario's Helix decided to celebrate their 30th in style. Traveling to nearby Brantford and taking over the beautiful Sanderson Centre, Helix unveiled a setlist that honored their entire history, and guested nearly every band member from 1974 to 1990!

There were a few conspicuous by their absence, such as longtime bassist Daryl Gray, and a few that we knew couldn't turn up (the missing Mike Uzelac, the late Paul Hackman). It would also have been nice to see guitarists Denny Balicky (Blake) or Greg "Shredder" Fraser. No complaints, however, when Brian Vollmer (only remaining original Helix member) proceded to reunite the original 1974 Helix which had never even been immortalized on vinyl! From there we go to the lineup responsible for the first two albums (sans Hackman and Uzelac, replaced here by current Helix alum Rainer Weickmann and original bassist Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg, wearing trademark tux). Brian Doerner is introduced as Canada's greatest drummer, and while Neil Peart and Gary McCracken might disagree, he's definitely up there. His brother Brent literally steals the show. Singing such lost classics as Billy Oxygen and Crazy Women, Brent still has that rock star quality. His guitar playing was stellar that night.

Other members from back in the day turned up: Leo Niebudek on drums, and then, finally, a short-haired Greg "Fritz" Hinz, all the way from sunny Florida, behind the skins to celebrate Helix' late 80's heyday.

Not to be overshadowed, the current Helix lineup returned to the stage for some more hits. Glen "Archie" Gamble is a fantastic drummer, it should be noted, spinning his sticks and being really creative on the cymbals. The addition of a female background vocalist, Cindy Weichmann (wife of Rainer), allowed the band to perform 1976's You're A Woman Now, for the first time ever with a female vocal, just as it was on the album.

The nucleus of this DVD are the six tunes from the 70's that rarely, if ever, get played today. As great as the hit 80's material was, the 70's stuff is what makes this DVD different from any other Helix product you can buy.

There are generous bonus features: Interviews with Brian and his wife, candid scenes of rehearsals and Brian trying to get this monster concert together. There are interviews with fans who travelled all the way across the country to see this one show. Best of all are the clips of the old band members, now short-haired, meeting again for the first time in years. "I'm Brian Drummer and I play Doerner," says the drummer as he arrives. As Brian stands next to his brother, Fritz says, "Which one's Brent? Brian? Brent?". It's like watching someone's family reunion video.

If you are a Helix fan, you have no excuse for not owning this. If you are only a casual Helix fan and want to get back into the band, this is the package to get. Sure you could buy one of their hits packages, but this is so much more satisfying. Not only do you get the hits, but you get the history, and that's not something to be ignored for a band that's turning 30.

Happy birthday Helix!"