Customer Reviews

Unsung: The Best of Helmet 1991-1997

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

Helmet helped to create a new style of music. It's not exactly "nu-metal", but it borderlines with it. Helmet proved that alternative and heavy metal can mix, along with Korn, Clutch, Faith No More, Tool and countless others.

This CD is a must have for any Helmet fan. The songs are brutal and bring on a hardcore attitude. The songs from "Strap It On" kick off Helmet's career, as it was released in 1991. 1992 saw the release for "Meantime", which I think is their best disc. "Betty" hit the record stores in 1994. "Wilma's Rainbow" is a great track. It's dark and bitter. Three years later, "Aftertaste" hit stores. Unfortunately, "Aftertaste" was their swansong before they decided to split in 1999...

Usually when a band splits up, they may come back together unless an original member dies or something. For example, there is no way that Nirvana or Pantera could get back together, but bands that just want to take a break from the music business can feel free to do so. Blink-182 just recently went on hiatus also, which is good, since their only interesting music is around the "Dude Ranch" era.

Helmet got back together in 2004 to record new material for "Size Matters", which was slated to hit stores in September 2004, but after Helmet mastermind Page Hamilton broke his collarbone while mountain biking, the release was postponed until October. However, "See You Dead" was available for online purchase as a single.

If you like alternative, metal or even hardcore music, pick up a copy of this album. You will not be let down.

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.

...I figured I should try the whole thing. And I did. And I LOVED it. I became a Helmet fan almost overnight! 'FBLA,' 'Exactly What You Needed,' 'Sinatra,' 'Meantime' and 'Unsung' are all '90s alternative masterpieces that are well worth listening to. I'm just sorry I didn't listen to these guys sooner!

Overall, if you like good '90s alternative, than don't make the same mistake I did. Don't ignore Helmet or listen to them just for that one song, 'Unsung.' Buy 'Unsung: The Best of Helmet 1991-1997' and see what '90s alternative is supposed to sound like. Well worth owning.

Highly recommended. ENJOY!!!

if you think helmet and pantera suck and system of a down is good you are severely retarded and should be committed

Actually that's what all vaccines are... anuwyas, When I bought this, I didn't take it out of my player for a week. I just let it drone on and on and on!!! And I still listen to it to get my fix, like smoking a cigarette, from start to finish, and this is what I like to call a "start to finish" album, you don't have to thumb through tracks, just push play ...If your a helmet fan, this disc is all you need if you only could listen to one Helmet cd for the rest of your life, or if you where on a desert island or something...Eventhough I personally wish it had "Biscuits for Smut" and "the silver hawaiian" on it, It it still complete...If your wanting to get into Helmet or check them out, this is the ONLY place to start because once you hear this you'll be able to buy the discs that you hear your favorites on...and the rest will fill in perfectly. If you claim your into heavy music, and you haven't listened to Helmet you are seriously miss'n out, you won't want to listen to nu-metal anymore. Helmet was one of, if not the major influences of nu-metal the virus that started a genre...unfortunatly like all virus' it evolves. And what it has evolved into is very ugly, mutated (crappy) music (disturbed,drowning pool, scream-o, poop-StainD )...once you listen to Helmet, you will be cured, you will never want to listen to that crap again!! Pure, simple, heavy, beautiful...

I was a bit disappointed in the recording itself. The guitar track lacks the vibrance that you here when you are lucky enough to see the band live. Stiill all the great songs are here and there is plenty of music to choose from.

First I just want to say that helmet "AREN'T" nu metal and despite what you say, this is pure metal. They never got the respect they needed but that's metal man, just making some heavy music and don't care at all. So all you so-called "Metalheads" who say you're metal should pick this up and experience some some hard-hitting music that's really heavy. Doesn't matter if there's bands who have blast beats, or growl and scream all the time, I mean I love all that stuff but Helmet proves they can be heavy and more metal than any of the bands of today who are all covered with tattoo's, long hair, think they are the loudest, and then go on and cover pop songs(WHAT THE HELL?). Page hamilton shreds all those little posers and not to mention great drumming from John stanier. So if Helmet doesn't suit you, Guess you don't know a thing about metal. That said, Let's me say the songs of course aren't just heavy but some melodic and rage from hardcore punk to alternative one of the best songs here is Sinatra from strap it on. And man what a great headbanging song it is. I'm listening to it right now which is why I don't care how bad I'm writing just rocking out. Pick this up and be prepared for some REAL metal. Even the song "just another victim" is nice which changes into a hip hop song featuring old school hip hop group House of pain. I don't mind it cause I really do hate hip hop but is a nice track and nope... that does not make them nu metal either. Best alternative metal band ever even the new helmet kicks butt too.

I remember buying "Meantime" when I was in 10th grade. I got it on cassette, and I wore it out. There was something about it that I couldn't put my finger on at first. Then I found out that Page Hamilton was an avant garde classical guitarist before starting Helmet. Then it all made sense. Not that the band's music sounds ANYTHING like avant garde classical. But at the same time, I'm familiar enough with that music to catch the nuances of a talented musician.

I bought this because lately I've been wanting to 'go back' to music I listened to in the late '90s. And these songs hold up. They don't sound dated to me.