MetalSucks

Wow, can this really be twentieth anniversary of Helmet? Well, yeah, the classic core of Henry Bogdan, Page Hamilton, and John Stanier disbanded in 1998. And sure, the reconstituted line-up that Hamilton unilaterally pulled together for 2004’s better-than-expected Size Matters has degenerated entirely into an unrecognizable cast of hired guns spilling in and out of a literal revolving door. But, uhhh, barring that, technically the band did form in 1989, so even though there’s only one original member and his last album Monochrome was fucking awful, I guess Hamilton is allowed to celebrate this moment.

But not like this.

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Tonight, Gavin Rossdale will be playing New York’s Gramercy Theatre as part of a May/June U.S. tour supporting his 2008 solo effort Wanderlust. Those of you familiar with this record or its corresponding singles know that the former Bush frontman has departed significantly from the raucous yet melodic post-grunge of his old band, opting for a softer, essentially adult contemporary sound not entirely dissimilar to Chris Cornell’s post-Audioslave offering Carry On. While this description likely wont appeal to you metal maniacs (I sure as hell didn’t buy it), here are a few reasons why you should load up on alcohol and catch one of the upcoming dates.
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Page Hamilton’s latest batch of hired guns masquerading as “Helmet” is about to embark on a month-long European jaunt that will hit up cities in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands. Kicking off January 13 in Helsinki, the tour includes opening act support on most if not all dates from Totimoshi, whose 2008 record Milagrosa was produced by Mr. Hamilton and engineered by Deaf Nephew Toshi Kasai (of Altamont and Big Business). Details can be found here.

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If you’re like me, you likely spend a shitload of your time on The Internets, feverishly pleasuring yourself and plugging random phrases into The Google and other websites for cheap thrills. After learning from Brooklyn Vegan’s Black Bubblegum of some potential NYC-area shows from one-time Amphetamine Reptile act Boss Hog, I made my merry way to the Youtubes to watch some old videos. Much to my delight, some dedicated user has posted a ton of the old AmRep spots from its Dope, Guns, and Fucking Up Your Videodeck series. Check out some classy cuts below from Helmet, Today Is The Day, and the aforementioned Boss Hog. It’s not like you were going to do anything else today, right?

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Just because it’s simple don’t mean it ain’t good. In fact, 16’s brand of stripped-down sludge is strikingly simple and raw but so, so brutal in its agitated energy. A press release we received yesterday declares 16 “Legendary sludge misanthropes” — I can’t argue for “legendary” ’cause I’ve never heard of ‘em (there go my precious scene points) but I’ll take the press release’s word for it; I can’t argue for “misanthropes” because I’m not focusing on the lyrics (not that I ever really do); but 16 are most certainly swampy, dirty, murky, muddy and sludged the fuck out. If Page Hamilton had taken a few more bong hits he just might have formed 1 instead of Helmet.

I just listened to all five songs on their MySpace page twice through (my favorite: “Born To Lose”) and I still want more; guess I’m gonna have to pick up their new (reunion!) album Bridges to Burn when it drops January 20th on Relapse Records.

-VN

[Read about 16's history on the Relapse website.]

Here’s a fucking fresh new band for ya’ll to check out. Despite their puzzling name, Don the Reader are the explosive result of what happens when you mix the dissonant, raw energy of The Dillinger Escape Plan with the aggression and riffage of the Deftones and the post-punk melodic sensibility of Helmet or Quicksand. The LA-based band have a new album called Humanesque available on October 7th via Deathcote Records — and we have the exclusive leak of their song “Teethgrinder.” Enjoy it below, and send out to the masses.

Don the Reader – “Teethgrinder” (mp3)

Listen to more Don the Reader on their MySpace page.

-VN

Happy Memorial Day to our U.S. readers, and we hope you’re enjoying your day off by stuffing yourselves silly with grilled meat and beer.

Mike Patton has done a hell of a lot of weird shit over the past decade, but as far as I’m concerned Tomahawk has been his best (read: most Faith No More-like) output since Faith No More. Tomahawk has consistently been his rockingest project to date, featuring a metal pedigee of Jesus Lizard/Hank Williams III guitarist Duane Denison, former Helmet drummer John Stanier, and Melvins bassist Kevin Rutmanis. And this song, from 2003’s Joe Barresi-produced Mit Gas, came closest to equaling the sound and ethos of latter day Faith No More.

Tomahawk – “Captain Midnight”

-VN

HELMET @ RED 7 – 4:30 P.M., Thursday, March 13

One of my all-time favorite top 10 records is Helmet’s Meantime. I have not seen Helmet since back in their heyday when they tore through San Antonio, Texas in support of their not quite as impressive but still excellent follow-up Betty back in 1994. They played the old Showcase along with Therapy? and San Antonio industrialists Evil Mothers.

I cannot say I am a huge fan of Helmet’s work in later years, especially Page Hamilton’s higher pitched vocal stylings. The scratchy baritone he displayed on Meantime is easily one of my favorite vocal styles in all of metal. As a result, a part of me was hesitant, yet excited to see Helmet again for the first time in fourteen years.

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