Helmet - Unsung: The Best of Helmet 1991-1997

Had there not been Helmet, then a whole genre of metal wouldn't have been born. Bands such as Godsmack, Pantera, Linkin Park, System of a Down, and a generation of nu-metalists owe their very careers to Page Hamilton's noisy, snarling guitars, John Stanier's scatter gun drumming, and Henry Bogdan's nasty, assertive bass. One of the earliest bands to combine a jazz sensibility with hardcore, this New York-based band's dedication to pairing their textured bone crushing riffs with elegant off-kilter time signatures, and well-crafted and surprisingly sensitive lyrics, like the dark ambient philosophy of "Unsung" or the ghostly imagery of "Wilma's Rainbow," has earned them a place in rock's annals. Sadly underrated during their six-year tenure, these early metal fusionists carved out a niche for themselves that has never been filled after they pulled the plug in 1997. This 21-track collection, which has been digitally remastered, revives those glory years and illustrates just how groundbreaking Helmet really was. From the stately Hendrix-esque "Bad Mood," to the sheer genius of "Just Another Victim," their rap metal synthesis from the soundtrack of Judgment Night, featuring House of Pain, Helmet gave heavy metal thunder a good name, and some much needed innovation. --Jaan Uhelszki Amazon.com

I originally got it for 'Unsung,' but...

...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!!! May 17, 2008

Classic '90s record

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. July 9, 2007

better than a kick in the balls

if you think helmet and pantera suck and system of a down is good you are severely retarded and should be committed November 20, 2006

Helmet gets overdue respect

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.
June 25, 2006

are you serious?

you've got to be kidding, a reviewer that goes by the name of "Crossdressing Midget" disses on this album and Pantera, and he then believes his opinion is valid and worthwhile? Lol, nice try there buddy, maybe next time you will learn to grow up (like Kommisar Lenin should do) and listen to some good music for once. September 8, 2005

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