There is more than one band called Distant Thunder. 1) Helstar is well known by 80's metal fans as one of the prototypical bands of that decade, one of the bands that defined American metal for the era and one that has been quite influential on any number of bands since their reign. Though there have been frequent reunion gigs in recent times (and more on the way), there doesn't appear to be plans for Helstar to return as an official recording band.