Post by thesoundmonitor on Sept 19, 2004 5:10:05 GMT -5
Helmet
Size Matters
Interscope
Well it’s been a long, long, LONG time between drinks for Helmet. Seven years to be exact, since their previous release Aftertaste (1997). There have been lots of talk about a new album and reformation but it all seemed to be gossip, or it was simply never going to get off the ground. What a shock I received last night to see this album and it’s release date of the October 5th.
When a band a big as Helmet reforms or puts out a new album there is always the concern that the new album will be crap, ruining everything they have previously achieved. However, I can confirm Size Matters is not crap. For the most part the album seems to continue from Aftertaste with that familiar trademark Helmet harmonious noise-riff. But there are a couple of songs that sound more like ‘Meantime’, and these are definitely the killer songs on the album.
While the band is slightly different it is still very much Helmet. Chris Traynor is back after lending a hand for live guitars on the Aftertaste tour. Anthrax’s Frank Bello is on bass (live only) and White Zombie’s John Tempesta is on drums. They definitely seem to miss something without John Stanier, but that’s because he is such a brilliant and inventive drummer, and not a reflection of Tempesta’s competence.
Page’s voice is a little different to how it used to be. He seems to sing in two different styles - one similar to Aftertaste/Betty but maybe a little higher pitched and a little whineier. The other is rougher and almost sounds like he’s about to lose his voice at times.
The good news is that Helmet are back finally and have some awesome riffs without ripping themselves off. The bad news is that a couple of the songs are a little bland and seem to lack something (maybe Stanier’s inventive fills driving the music)
All in all I think this album will be well received by almost all old Helmet fans and gain some new ones. Bring on the tour!!!
Nathan Peauril
Size Matters
Interscope
Well it’s been a long, long, LONG time between drinks for Helmet. Seven years to be exact, since their previous release Aftertaste (1997). There have been lots of talk about a new album and reformation but it all seemed to be gossip, or it was simply never going to get off the ground. What a shock I received last night to see this album and it’s release date of the October 5th.
When a band a big as Helmet reforms or puts out a new album there is always the concern that the new album will be crap, ruining everything they have previously achieved. However, I can confirm Size Matters is not crap. For the most part the album seems to continue from Aftertaste with that familiar trademark Helmet harmonious noise-riff. But there are a couple of songs that sound more like ‘Meantime’, and these are definitely the killer songs on the album.
While the band is slightly different it is still very much Helmet. Chris Traynor is back after lending a hand for live guitars on the Aftertaste tour. Anthrax’s Frank Bello is on bass (live only) and White Zombie’s John Tempesta is on drums. They definitely seem to miss something without John Stanier, but that’s because he is such a brilliant and inventive drummer, and not a reflection of Tempesta’s competence.
Page’s voice is a little different to how it used to be. He seems to sing in two different styles - one similar to Aftertaste/Betty but maybe a little higher pitched and a little whineier. The other is rougher and almost sounds like he’s about to lose his voice at times.
The good news is that Helmet are back finally and have some awesome riffs without ripping themselves off. The bad news is that a couple of the songs are a little bland and seem to lack something (maybe Stanier’s inventive fills driving the music)
All in all I think this album will be well received by almost all old Helmet fans and gain some new ones. Bring on the tour!!!
Nathan Peauril