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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Unsung" Pioneers of a Revolutionary Sound, February 6, 2004
There's a good reason why I simply shrugged my shoulders in boredom when I first saw MTV play Korn's "Blind" in mid '95. This was because years before, I was already listening to the uniquely heavy and distinctive styles of Faith No More, Clutch, Bloodlet and Helmet. Yet Korn achieved widespread popularity and where heralded as originators of a new style of metal, whereas the other bands faded into relative obscurity outside of the underground based on their lack of commercial accessibility. Hailing from the fertile New York post-punk and hardcore scenes, Helmet brought forth a dynamic style of heavy rock which is uncompromising, elegant, and crushing. Founded by 6-string wizard Page Hamilton and rounded out by bassist Henry Bogdan and drummer John Stanier, as well as a revolving lineup of guitarists, they gave metal a much needed kick in the ass in a time where to play heavy music you where required to have long hair, tattoos, and dark imagery. At times fusing an aggressive punk-derived metallic noisyness, akin to a faster Melvins, with odd-timed signatures and melodic progressions, this band was take no prisoners. The musicianship is years beyond nu metal. Page and his co-guitarists weave devastating and groove-based sonic attacks that pound with intesity. Simplistic-yet-technical drummer Stanier is as solid as they come(he currently plays with the might Tomahawk). And Bogdan gives an appropriately chunky low end growl to hold things together. Helmet is not for everyone however. Some people are turned off by Hamilton's somewhat flat singing vocals and limited singing range. However, the guy is a great lyricist and maintains a strong vocal presence throughout. His guitar work more than makes up for this. Yes, he can solo, though his solos are noticibly angular and unorthodox. Another downside is how samey much of Helmet's material is, especially during the Meantime years, as great an album as it is. While this is true in effect, you can really notice the progression in sound from album to album. And why the four stars? I prefer having all the albums as opposed to this one. However, I recommend this to anyone wanting to get aquanted to Helmet's sound.So if you have had enough of your Korns, your Disturbeds, your Stainds, your whiny screamo/metalcore clones, check out this groundbreaking band. It is as honest and memorable as good heavy music can be. Also be sure to check out Quicksand, Handsome(made up of Quicksand and Helmet members), Burn and Earthone9. Keep music good.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helmet gets overdue respect , June 25, 2006
It's amazing what time, studio remastering, and a well-constructed " best of" can do for a defunct rock band. In the case of Helmet, it gives them a second life - not that they weren't vibrant in their first run. It's more that their musical prowess went under-noticed.
Lead singer Page Hamilton often commented about the band's lack of market appeal - a quality in their time that prohibited their explosion ie being all over the radio, etc. The move doesn't seem by accident. They didn't want to be THAT popular band that exploded then fizzled. Instead, the New York band played hard, driving rock in the vein of punk and hardcore, helped pioneer the "nu-metal" sound(a tag the band despised), ignored trends and never fully exploded commercially.
What mattered to them was the music. Hearing this compilation is a reminder of how good they were; they sound muscular and very hard-rocking. Track for track, the strongest from major label albums Meantime ("In the Meantime", "Give It" "Unsung"), Betty ("Wilma's Rainbow", "Milquetoast", "Rollo"), and Aftertaste ("Pure", "Renovation", "Like I Care," "Driving Nowhere," "Exactly What You Wanted") are here. There's even two lesser-known soundtrack tracks ("Disagreeable" - Feeling Minnesota ; "Just Another Victim" - Judgment Night).
Unsung is an excellent starter for the casual fan and a nice set for the die-hard who want all Helmet's best in the same spot. And while there are missing tracks ("You Borrowed", "Biscuits for Smut", "Speechless"), they're so few that it's easy to overlook. Ultimately, a band overlooked by many have been given a strong compilation, and a second chance at discovery by those who missed them the first time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Number 1 best of album, January 27, 2004
Helmet is such a great band. 21 great song, one of the best metal bands ever, what do you want more? Thinking-man's metal at it's best.
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