Helmet is a band formed in New York by Page Hamilton (vocals/guitar) with Henry Bogdan (bass), Peter Mengede (guitar) and John Stanier (drums) in 1989.

They released their debut album Strap it On in 1990 through Amphetamine Reptile, after which they were signed to Interscope. Peter Mengede left in 1993, to be replaced by Rob Echeverria who, in turn, left to join Biohazard. He was replaced by Chris Traynor of Orange 9mm . In 1995, Helmet, with singer David Yow (ex-The Jesus Lizard), contributed the song "Custard Pie" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin.

Helmet was acclaimed as a thinking person's heavy metal band. Their music was characterized by repetitive, sludgy, and dissonant riffs often augmented by a chorus that involved guitar feedback waves. Hamilton was hailed as arguably the most innovative metal guitarist of the 1990's.

In late 1998 the band broke up and the members moved on to several other projects. John Stanier went on to play drums for Tomahawk, The Mark of Cain and Battles. Page Hamilton played guitar on releases by David Bowie and briefly formed the band Gandhi.

In 2003 Page Hamilton announced that he had reformed Helmet. The band does not contain original members John Stanier or Henry Bogdan; they have been replaced with John Tempesta (formerly of Testament and White Zombie) on drums and Frank Bello (formerly of Anthrax) playing the bass guitar. Chris Traynor is continuing as the second guitar player.

The new album, titled Size Matters, was released on October 5, 2004.

Discography

• Strap it On (1990)
• Meantime (1992)
• Betty (1994)
• Aftertaste (1997)
• Size Matters (2004)

See also

• List of alternative music artists

External links

• Helmet Fan Site
• Born Annyoing - Helmet Fan Community