Hellstedt – All Right As Rain (Self-Released, February 20, 2026) In the hands of Mircea Nestor, Hellstedt isn’t just another one-man metal project—it’s a riff-driven machine that refuses to color inside the lines. The Swedish artist’s second full-length, All Right As Rain, arrives as a natural evolution from his 2024 debut For No One In Particular, but with an even sharper edge. Drawing deep from late-’80s thrash and ’90s groove metal, Nestor delivers a sound that is relentlessly riff-laden, unapologetically loud, and propelled by a high-octane energy that feels equal parts street-punk aggression and metallic precision.The thrash foundation is unmistakable: galloping tempos, razor-sharp palm-muted chugs, and that classic sense of urgency. Yet Nestor isn’t content to retread old ground. He infuses groove-metal swagger—think chunky, mid-tempo breakdowns and swaggering rhythms that nod to the Pantera-era heaviness—while keeping the overall attack lean and ferocious. There’s a punkish undercurrent here too: raw, no-frills song structures, a DIY ethos bleeding through every layer, and a refusal to over-polish. The result is music that hits like a brick wall at full sprint—high-energy, direct, and built for headbanging in dimly lit rooms or open fields.Teaser track “This Home” gives a strong indication of where All Right As Rain is headed. It’s got that jagged, angular riffing reminiscent of System of a Down’s chaotic bounce, layered with a touch of Alice in Chains-style melancholy in the vocal delivery and melodic undercurrents. But make no mistake: the dominant force is aggression. Crushing riffs collide with programmed drums that snap and pummel, creating a wall of sound that feels both meticulously crafted and gloriously unhinged. Nestor’s vocals switch between gritty shouts and more melodic snarls, never letting the momentum dip.What sets Hellstedt apart is the personal stamp Nestor puts on every bar. As a solo artist handling guitars, bass, drums, vocals, mixing, and mastering, he keeps the vision pure—no committee compromises. The production is raw but powerful, letting the riffs breathe while maintaining that “best served loud” intensity promised on the debut. There’s no filler, no unnecessary atmospheric padding—just pure, thrash-groove fury with punk’s rebellious heart.For fans of high-energy riff worship—whether you grew up on Slayer and Testament, groove on Machine Head and Fear Factory, or crave the eclectic punch of modern alternative metal—All Right As Rain looks set to be a shot of adrenaline. Hellstedt doesn’t reinvent the wheel; he welds spikes onto it and floors the gas. I give this a solid review score of 9/10. February 20 can’t come soon enough. You’re going to love it.