Customer Reviews

Strap It on

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Strap It On is the sound of 4 guys struggling to eke out a living in the hell hole that is NYC's lower east side. It's the release of all of the tension such a life entails. This is pure, raw emotion EXPLODING into sound. Helmet were what they were because of their struggle to live in such a place. This album was originally released on the then-microscopic indie label Amphetamine Reptile Records. At the time, I assumed that Helmet was doomed to obscurity, like so many other abrasive and "unmarketable" bands were in 1990. (Hell, I thought the same thing of Nirvana at the time.) But through just a few months of touring, Helmet generated such a huge amount of word of mouth praise and attention, Interscope swooped right in and picked them up, gave them a multi-million dollar contract and everything. Now, I won't say that this "killed" the band, because I can't deny that I did enjoy all of Helmet's later albums as well... but I will say that none of their records that came later, records made by 4 guys who were now making a reasonably comfortable living relative to their Strap It On days, don't even come close to holding a candle to the pure unleashed power and fury of their first album. This isn't a record so much as it's a wrecking ball.

Those who were weaned on the kinder, gentler, more polished Helmet may not enjoy this so much.

EDIT (over 10 years later): I wince every time Strap It On is described as a "metal" record. I suppose on paper it may resemble metal: over-driven guitars, heavy power chord riffs, lockstep rhythms. Granted, metal heads latched on to it almost immediately and Helmet's sound rapidly became more and more metallic as they went on. But on this, their first album, this is not metal. This is noise rock with an added wrinkle- a major emphasis on riffs.

This debut album "Strap it on" shown many Metal Heads that you do not need long hair to pump out some serious tunes. Quite possibly the most unique bands to ever come out, Helmet announced their entrance with pure Chaos and rage.

The Album is one of art. Paige Hamilton's singing (sorry Screaming) compliments the entire bands attitude. You can search for the most heavist of metal bands and none could compete or be compared to this bands sound and harshness.

As for the album itself? If you enjoy pure destruction, you will love this album. The guitar harmonics and distortion will really get your heart pumping, your mind to go slowly down the road of beautiful insanity. Songs like Repetition, Rude, FBLA will make peoples head turn (Especially Slipknot, Linkin Park fans) and wonder "What the heck is that"? If you love pure metal, buy this album! You will not be disapointed.

Helmet are definitely highly influential. Without a doubt. And this album is a must-own for all Helmet fans, as i believe it's probably their best album.

Starting off with Repetition, you know you're in for a headbanging 30 or so minutes from then on. Rude kicks off with a kinda long drum intro, then the riff...Is just HELMET. Helmet really are unique in the way they structure their riffs. Paige Hamilton might not be the best vocalist in Alternative/Metal/Grunge..But the music more than makes up for that.

Bad Mood is one of the best songs on here. Pretty fast, in which if they had a video for it i think they'd have someone getting chased by the Cops or something. Sinatra, the next song, is the longest song on this CD, as it goes for 4:30 mins. It's pretty good, then it gets better at around 2:40 secs, as it builds and builds and builds..then yet another trademark Helmet riff begins, really heavy as Paige Hamilton is screaming, "What's the best for me?!" over and over.

The weakest songs on here, which aren't even that weak just not as good as Helmet can really do, are probably FBLA and Make Room. Distracted is a very good riff-based song yet again. My 2 other favourites on this album, aside from (pretty much all of them, but..) Bad Mood..are Blacktop and Murder. Murder, i think, has the best Paige Hamilton screaming on it. And Blacktop has probably the coolest riff in it. Very headbangable.

All in all, a great Helmet album. For all fans of Helmet, get this if you haven't already. And to all those who haven't yet bought any Helmet albums, i'd buy this first and see what you think. If you like this, i'm sure you'll enjoy all of their other albums. This album is extremely good.

5/5

I bought this CD at a Helmet show in Mobile, AL (at the "Vincent Van GO-GO" in '91 ???) before it was in stores. A few years later there were LOTS of bands with a similar dissonant, crunchy sound but at the time these guys so amazingly different from anyone else that this album is still one of my favorites. I think Helmet is one of those bands that influenced a disproportionate number of other bands relative to their own commercial success. Very heavy stuff. Not at all the obnoxious kind of "heavy" stuff you usually associate with angry, zit-faced adolescent teens (ie: Maralyn Manson, Korn, Pantera, Metallica, etc.). I would place these guys more in the "league of there own" category with the likes of the Ministry or Jesus Lizard.

I heard a Deftones cover of "Sinatra", and I thought I would check out this album that came out before "Meantime", which is a great album. Their next album "Betty" is also a must-have. But this album is not very good, except for "Blacktop", and perhaps a couple other decent tracks. Page Hamilton's voice and the noise-rock factor can work against them sometimes, but Helmet is very capable of delivering some great heavy music.

To me there are two careers to Helmet, the "Meantime" and the "Aftertaste". Most Helmet fans are Meantime, I'm an Aftertaste. Strap It On is the predecessor to Meantime and shows a lot of metal influences while still having its own unique style. I guess I would call it a heavier Henry Rollins and Black Flag if anything. While I am a fan of the early Helmet stuff, Aftertaste is really uncomparable. No matter which side you are on Helmet should be part of your collection including Strap It On.

I have had this CD for 9 years now (today is 12/13/01) and I still get get a thrashing vibe from it! These hard rifts make it easily one of the best albums ever produced!

Helmet definitely did their best stuff first. Raw, pure. This one is not overdone to compensate for what the people want to hear. It is the way it is meant to be heard.

For the drooling Helmet fanatic,"Strap It On" is an excellent addition to their worship alter-err,record collection.It's got the goods;anthemic melodies,chunky riffs and hooks you can hang your winter parka on.Cuts like "Rude","Blacktop" and "Make Room" are so choice,i search in vain for a worthy adjective!However,there is a downside.The production/recording quality leaves something to be desired.It's not awful by any stretch,but it is noticible to someone who has revelled in the clarity and uberheaviness of "Meantime" and "Aftertaste".By all means,pick this puppy up.No one will ever duplicate Helmet's sound,although many bands have tried!

Like shots to the jaw from a brass knuckled fist...
ballpeen hammers tap, tap, tapping at your temples...
...enjoy having your face forcibly held against a belt-sander?

this is hardcore, deal with it!