They have come to "Rock You."

 They are Helix, arguably the very face of Canadian heavy metal and rock over the past 35-plus years.

 And they are coming to Chester.

 Helix has toured with bands such as Kiss, Aerosmith, Rush, Mötley Crüe, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Heart, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Ian Gillan and Motšrhead, among others.

 In short, they are heavyweights.

 So why, after more than three decades, does a band that has done it all play in small-town Nova Scotia?

 "I think just the love of music," said front man Brian Vollmer. "This is how I make my living now. I don't know how to do anything else."

 The band that is perhaps best remembered for the 1984 hit "Rock You" is playing Chester Billiards on September 16. Showtime is 11:30 p.m.

 The show is part of a Maritime tour that includes Halifax and Moncton.

 "We love the East Coast," Mr. Vollmer said. "In fact, we were in the last 'Trailer Park Boys' movie."

 The band's most recent album, "Vagabond Bones," was released in 2009. It is the 22nd studio album, and two more are in the works.

advertisement

 "Between us we have about 130 years of entertainment experience," Mr. Vollmer said. "This is what we do."

 Helix promises to display 35-plus years of music.

 "Essentially, you get to hear all of our hits, some new stuff, some old stuff, you get it all," Mr. Vollmer said.

posted on 09/07/10