Helmet

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metal, alternative metal, hardcore, rock, alternative… see all

Helmet is an American post-hardcore band formed in New York City by Page Hamilton (vocals/guitar) with Henry Bogdan (bass), Peter Mengede (guitar) and John Stanier (drums) in 1989. They were spotted by Tom Hazelmeyer and signed to his Amphetamine Reptile Records label, releasing their debut 7 inch single, Born Annoying, later that year. AmRep released their first album, Strap It On, in 1990.

Helmet was acclaimed as a thinking person’s hardcore band. The members’ appearance was a shock to many as they were all clean-cut - the antithesis of the heavy metal stereotype. Their music is characterized by repetitive, syncopated, staccato guitar riffs, often in odd time signatures, and almost always in a minor key with drop-D tuning. The guitar sound is heavily distorted and dissonant, with choruses that often involve guitar feedback waves. Page Hamilton has been hailed as one of the more innovative metal guitarists of the 1990s.

Before Hamilton had settled on a name for the group, Peter Mengede’s then-girlfriend suggested the name “Helmut”. Opting for the Anglicized spelling, Hamilton thought Helmet “sounded like a cool name for a band.” Other names considered were “Cry Ruth” and “Poly Orchids”.

The group rose to international stardom in 1992 after signing to Interscope Records.

1	Unsung full track	853
2	In the Meantime full track	331
3	Milquetoast full track	301
4	Wilma's Rainbow full track	272
5	Crashing Foreign Cars full track	267
6	Give It full track	240
7	Better full track	210
8	I Know full track	202
9	You Borrowed full track	186
10	Biscuits For Smut full track	178
10	He Feels Bad full track	178
12	Turned Out full track	173
12	Rollo full track	173
14	Role Model full track	168
15	Fbla II full track	167

Top Albums

Meantime
Helmet
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Betty
Helmet
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Aftertaste
Helmet
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Size Matters
Helmet
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HeWhoSmellsBad wrote:
Sunday evening

i seriously regret ignoring this band.

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pigeonfingers wrote:
last month

Ironhead > every other song ever recorded

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Dr_Wally wrote:
last month

Listened to one album one day, then got the bug and had to listen to another one. Great stuff. What's everyone up to now? Are they still together?

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rinkjustice wrote:
last month

Best band in the freaking world! Forever!

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RedEyedMonster8 wrote:
last month

Page Hamilton is one of THE best and most underrated guitarists of all time. PERIOD.

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lambuth wrote:
last month

Yeah, beavis and butthead dvds reminded alot of bands i forgot about, like this one.

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ezfranca wrote:
last month

Amazing f*** and underated band ... One of most influent band ever and nobody give to it the credits!!! great band!

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thrasher83 wrote:
last month

thnx beavis and butthead show witch make me know about this band!!!

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psychomode wrote:
last month

Size Matters isn't THAT bad, my favorite song by them is on there (Unwound!) However I will agree that Aftertaste is absolutely untouchable and definitely their best album, followed by Betty

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Tazlin wrote:
July 2008

an alltime fave... I used to listen to heavy metal in those days. And - bang - there where this short haired "normal looking" guys with a sound that just blasted me away. I just simple love this song

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winstonpilgrim wrote:
July 2008

BRilliant, unique music. Betty, Meantime, Aftertaste and Strap It On are all great. It's a massive shame about Size Matters though.

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peterwalsh99 wrote:
July 2008

Peter Mengede - RESPECT

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Amour_Noir wrote:
July 2008

ohyay

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klopsick wrote:
July 2008

"It's all right... I KNOW... You're the only one..."

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Avius_Mind wrote:
July 2008

I forgot about this band, haven't heard them in years. Now I understand about the influence they had on my favorite Australian band -- Grinspoon -- I'm going to be listening to them more now. Helmet rocks.

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pilgrimage145 wrote:
July 2008

Therapy? should be under similar artists imo imo.

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Aleswy wrote:
July 2008

Hardcore tags ¿?

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psychomode wrote:
June 2008

Fucking amazing band

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TM_drummer wrote:
June 2008

going to see them live in 4 days! yay! :-D

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Snagon wrote:
June 2008

god meantime is just great

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Recent Activity

boss_lady_o, bux666, dastab and 5 other people added Helmet to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
phil2oo2 tagged Helmet with ‘phil2oo2’. Thursday afternoon
JoNuggs and Jeppedue added Helmet to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
DiMoN477UKR tagged Helmet with ‘post-hardcore’ and ‘metal’. Thursday afternoon
SUBTUNE, bartdrummer, puppyfinny and 5 other people added Helmet to their libraries. Thursday morning
JonnyBeGoode tagged Helmet with ‘metal’ and ‘my melting pot - a grande misturada’. Wednesday afternoon
matrixempire added Helmet to matrixempire’s library. Wednesday afternoon
Gowienczyk tagged Helmet with ‘hard rock’. Wednesday afternoon
davefens, jconblack, dziaban and 21 other people added Helmet to their libraries. Wednesday afternoon
ei_gor tagged Helmet with ‘metal’. Sunday evening