Betty (album)
| Betty | ||||
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| Studio album by Helmet | ||||
| Released | June 21, 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1993–1994 at Soundtrack, Power Station, and Sound on Sound, New York | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:43 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
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| Singles from Betty | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| NME |
  6/25/94, p.41 |
| AllMusic | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Sputnikmusic |  |
Betty is the third album by Helmet, released in 1994 on Interscope. The album was highly anticipated by both music critics and fans as a result of the band's success with the previous album, Meantime.
Rob Echeverria (guitarist of NYC hardcore band Rest In Pieces) replaced Peter Mengede on guitar. Despite being Helmet's highest charting album in the U.S., Betty was not as successful as Meantime but received almost unanimously favorable reviews from critics. After recording and touring in support of the album, Echeverria left Helmet in 1995 to join Biohazard; however, his departure was more amicable than Mengede's.
Prior to Betty's release in June 1994, the album's biggest hit, "Milquetoast," appeared in alternate form on The Crow soundtrack as "Milktoast." Its video was in regular rotation on MTV, and videos for "Wilma's Rainbow" and "Biscuits For Smut" were also released.
Usually regarded as Helmet's experimental album, it features a broader approach with forays into jazz and blues. Hamilton said "Those things were my indulgences. I tried to force the music in different directions. I know a lot of fans were disappointed, but I think it's important to try to grow musically." Helmet's sonic trademarks of crunching riffs and pounding drums still define the album. Betty, along with Meantime and Aftertaste, is considered a definitive text in post-metal.
Helmet entered the studio in the fall of 1993 to record the follow-up to its 1992 record Meantime. Writing and recording sessions took place at Soundtrack, Power Station, and Sound on Sound in New York City.
Engineer Martin Bisi was brought in mid-way to record Rob Echeverria's guitar parts and additional overdubs.
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