Helmet - Size Matters

Page Hamilton has always been a man who wanted creative control over his projects. Helmet, an influential band in the modern rock world, was no exception. After the 1997 release Aftertaste, Helmet looked to be shelved like a trophy piece from an award winning collection of kick ass. That changed in 2003. While listening to a radio-station, Hamilton picked up on a caller who proclaimed to the DJ that the music of today could not match the lore, musicianship, and pure ball-busting rawness of Helmet. So Helmet reunited with hand-selected members, and the beat-down commenced. Size Matters continues the aural fury of the band’s preceding albums. “Smart” opens the album with a sludge-filled guitar vengeance and vocal growl that makes any of the rap/metal predecessors or pretenders quiver in fear. “Crashing Foreign Cars” ramps up the RPM’s and sets the segue into the hot number and radio hit of the album, “See You Dead,” a catchy fist pumping number itself. The remainder of the album reminds us why Helmet set the stage for many of the today’s acts. Aggression is the poetry of Page Hamilton, and he does it well regardless of how many years he takes off. [www.helmetmusic.com]