Matt DeAngelis Ballad Helpless To The Fire Channels Rock Legends and Natural Forces

The New Jersey Songwriter’s Piano-Led Ballad Draws Comparisons to Billy Joel and Elton John

Southern New Jersey songwriter Matt DeAngelis builds his work around the grand, piano-led power ballad. His single Helpless To The Fire arrived on May 22. It is a sweeping classic-rock track, and its music video has already passed more than 275,000 views on YouTube. Naturally, the sound has drawn comparisons to the showmanship of Elton John and other genre icons.

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Matt DeAngelis Ballad Helpless To The Fire Channels Rock Legends and Natural Forces

Inside the Matt DeAngelis Ballad and Its Classic Rock Roots

From the opening chords, Helpless To The Fire is built around DeAngelis’s piano. That piano is both the rhythmic heart and the melodic core of the song. The approach sidesteps many modern production trends. Instead, it favors a sound rooted firmly in classic rock. The result has drawn comparisons to genre icons. Indeed, the names raised most often alongside DeAngelis are Billy Joel and David Bowie, a nod to both his melodies and his vocal style.

Those comparisons rest on a shared musical DNA. DeAngelis has honed his craft alongside veterans like Liberty DeVitto and Richie Cannata, both longtime members of Billy Joel’s band. His EP World I’m Comin’ For You features the pair, recorded at New York’s Cove City Sound Studios. That pedigree shapes the arrangement of his newer work. On it, he channels his influences while building an identity of his own.

Storm Chasing, Faith, and Mental Health Fuel the Songwriting

A defining trait of DeAngelis’s artistry is the lived experience he pours into his music. He confronts powerful forces head-on. He is both a mental health advocate and a literal storm chaser. That perspective comes from direct encounters with nature’s power and the human mind. It lends the track real depth. When he sings of being helpless to the fire, the line carries genuine weight.

In his own words, the song comes from a place of “confronting powerful forces, both internally and in the world around us.” That duality drives the track. His advocacy for climate-change awareness is woven into his artistic identity. The approach ties the song to themes of resilience, faith, and hope. Ultimately, this is songwriting with a clear purpose.

IndieRock.News Curator Team:

“Helpless To The Fire is a blend of classic and contemporary rock. It carries the melodic hooks and stadium-sized energy of a 1970s rock staple, yet its narrative is pure 21st century. DeAngelis bridges storm chasing and mental health advocacy in one work — a track for listeners who love large-scale rock with a message.”

Watch the video and check the artist’s YouTube channel for more.

A Cinematic Music Video Filmed Across the Desert

The music video for Helpless To The Fire matches the song’s scale. It was filmed across landscapes in Las Vegas and Arizona. The sprawling desert vistas and stark rock formations suit a song about facing down immense power. The visuals amplify the track’s themes of impermanence and awe. (One note for viewers: the video uses flashing lighting effects.)

That ambition has connected with a sizable audience. The strong view count signals a real appetite for large-scale, emotionally resonant rock. The single has also earned early coverage from Plastic Magazine, Sinusoidal Music, and Dulaxi.

For listeners who grew up on the classic-rock canon, DeAngelis offers a modern voice. Moreover, he has reportedly released ten singles since 2024, a steady creative output.