Helmet (band)

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

Related Topics:
Band - New York City - Page Hamilton - Henry Bogdan - Peter Mengede - John Stanier

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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.

Related Topics:
Strap it On - 1990 - 1993 - Rob Echeverria - Biohazard - Chris Traynor - Orange 9mm - 1995 - David Yow - The Jesus Lizard - Encomium - Led Zeppelin

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Helmet was acclaimed as a thinking person's heavy metal band. However, they have been criticized by some for creating or paving the way for Nu Metal. 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.

Related Topics:
Heavy metal - Nu Metal

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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.

Related Topics:
1998 - Tomahawk - The Mark of Cain - Battles - David Bowie - Gandhi

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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.

Related Topics:
John Tempesta - Testament - White Zombie - Frank Bello - Anthrax - Chris Traynor

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

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