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Helmet - Size Matters Audio CD

A fair review of the Helmet "Size Matters" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Helmet reviews here, or go back to the Helmet tabs.

Helmet Band: Helmet
Title: Size Matters
Rating:
Release Date: 2004-10-05
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Smart 2: Crashing Foreign Cars 3: See You Dead 4: Drug Lord 5: Enemies 6: Unwound 7: Everybody Loves You 8: Surgery 9: Speak and Spell 10: Throwing Punches 11: Last Breath

Part of the "Aftertaste" sound but...
. . produced with more emphasis on the mid and high range guitar sound and, in my opinion, not as good as Aftertaste, with its emphasis on the low range of the base and drums. If Size Matters had been produced the same way that Aftertaste was it would be just as good. Recommended for Helmet fans but honestly can't recommend it to others. Aftertaste I recommend for everyone. .


Different... but that shouldn't be mistaken for bad.
"

Some might complain about that, but those people may not know that Hamilton is THE guy behind Helmet. This was Page Hamilton's return after seven years of no Helmet, and he came back with an entirely new line up for "Size Matters. He writes the songs and the music, he always has. So make no mistake, Helmet is HIS band, in very much the same way that Motorhead is Lemmy's band.

Anyway, "Size Matters". . . What to say about this one, for starters, it continues in the Helmet tradition of the chunky, pummeling start-stop riffing we all know and love. This ones probably Helmet's, dare I say it, poppiest album. Most of the songs have big, big, hooky, emotionally sung choruses wrapped around the growling barking verses.

But that's not to say it isn't heavy (c'mon, its HELMET!). However, like "Aftertaste," its more of a calculated exercise in the Helmet brand of alt-metal that Hamilton is so good at. So those expecting the angry, wonderful, brutal noise workouts on "Strap It On" and "Meantime" will be disappointed, as will those hoping for more of musical eclecticism displayed on "Betty. "

But if you're looking for another good, solid, alt-metal album from one of the most influential bands of the movement, you'll probably find something to like about "Size Matters. " Like all Helmet albums, it really grows on you.

Of course, if you've never heard Helmet before, I highly recommend starting at the beginning ("Strap It On") and working forward ("Meantime" and "Betty"), since those albums are all slabs of wonderful, sick, heaviness.


Nu metal?....yeah right
Well if that's the reason then you're dumb cause this is just heavy music with none of the nu metal crap so if you want great metal get this,this is by far my favorite helmet album it sounds much heavier than the rest and page's vocals are awesome. This is one of the best of helmet albums ever!People say they had something to do with the nu metal thing,was it because they wore the 90's baseball caps and dress different than other metal bands?or cause they are not real rockers and are into other crap besides metal?. I listen to heavier stuff than helmet with mostly just screaming than singing,death metal and all that great stuff although page does give couple of screams in some songs. But if you want heavy music with great singing than listen to helmet great metal AND I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING BUT METAL AND ROCK IN HELMET!.


Strap it on again baby!
I will admit upon first listen, this release had to grow on me and it has! The more I listened the more I enjoyed it, even to the point where I got my hands on the Japanese version for the extra tracks. I believe alot of the previous reviews made alot of good points. I actually dig the addition of some more melody while the groove and drop d slam we all know and love still takes out your knee like it always did. I find I enjoy Monochrome even more so for more of a return to roots so to speak but I enjoy size matters in a different way. I can hardly wait for the next release which is rumored to be slated for next year.


Give it a second chance - As good as Aftertaste/Betty.
For those not wanting the details, skip to the bottom. For those that like Helmet, read on.


I loved Betty, Aftertaste, & Meantime. Strap It On had vocals too rough for my taste, though a couple of the songs had riffs great enough to overcome that. Meantime had some rough vocals on several songs, but a more in-your-face I-wanna-break-stuff riffage, that it was all good.

Then they broke up. A sad day indeed. Lo and behold, Helmet has been resurrected by Page Hamilton (vocals, guitar). Awesome! Helmet has always been about great guitar work, unique stopping, and shifting parts of a song into unexpected notes and half-steps.

The bass & drums were only there to compliment him, and they did good. At no point on a previous Helmet track did I say: "Damn! That bassline/drum part was just so awesome, I have to listen to it again!" No, they're not Tool, but we only need one of them anyway.

Their first album after the resurrection, is SIZE MATTERS.
1. It is a great album. The excellent guitar work is still there.
2. A more melodic album, in line with Aftertaste and parts of Betty. If you liked either of those albums, you'll like this one as well.
3. I thought it was "okay" after one listen, and didn't give it a second chance until not too long ago. It is awesome! Don't expect it to be Meantime Part II, or you may do the same thing.
4. Great riffs aside, the drumming and bass are tight as well.
5. Several of the more rockin' tunes are front loaded, which may leave you feeling 'let down' half way through. After which it gets more melodic, still great riffs, but not as heavy.










Helmet is awesome. Their new stuff rocks. Go buy it if you like Helmet, or like to rock. The end.


You can see a complete list of all Helmet discography, or go back to the Helmet tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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