Helmet (band)
| Helmet | |
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Helmet The Hifi Bar, Melbourne May 2008
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, US |
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| Website | helmetmusic |
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| Past members | See Members |
Helmet is an American alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member.
Helmet has released eight studio albums and two compilation albums. The band found mainstream success with their 1992 major label debut Meantime, which debuted at number 68 on the Billboard 200, with singles "Unsung" and "In the Meantime". After the releases of Betty (1994) and Aftertaste (1997), Helmet broke up in 1998. However, the band reformed in 2004, and has released four more albums ever since―Size Matters (2004), Monochrome (2006), Seeing Eye Dog (2010) and Dead to the World (2016).
After Hamilton had left the Band of Susans, Helmet formed in early 1989. They were spotted by Tom Hazelmyer and signed to Amphetamine Reptile Records, 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 heavy metal band." Eschewing the traditional heavy metal image of long hair and black clothing, the band stood out with their preference for simple T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers, and short haircuts. Their music is characterized by repetitive, syncopated, staccato guitar riffs, often in unconventional time signatures, and almost always in a minor key with drop-D or drop-C tuning. The guitar sound is heavily distorted and dissonant, with choruses that often involve guitar feedback waves.
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