Disco de Helmet: “Betty”

In Helmet's earlier work one may have not recognized by the guitar riffs and relative simplicity that Page Hamilton earned a master's degree in jazz guitar. On Betty this virtuosity shines through with some of the most complex yet simple composition we may have ever heard in the punk/hardcore/metal genre. In fact we may even say that the distinction between the above mentioned genres have lost their relatively clear distinction from the early 80's due to bands like Helmet, Prong, and Fishbone among others. This places Helmet in a niche of music in the 90's that has carved out its own distinctiveness to the degree that other bands such as Korn, Staind, Incubus, Coal Chamber and others can only try to fill with limited interest and more of a fad-driven success. Thus, although Korn gets too much of the credit, they are hardly original.

The new found success of the L.A. metal scene can only find its roots in the breakthroughs of the late eitghties and early nineties post-punk scene of New York city. Helmet is a major player in the establishment of these roots. But what makes them so groundbreaking is the overlay of complex rhythms and complicated chord structures and progressions with the simple crunch of de-tuned riffs that drive the whole project. "Overrated," the opening of "I Know," and the closing of "Milqeutoast" are perfect examples of what I mean here, with the latter almost being reminiscient of something that Allan Holdsworth may have written. The whole thing comes across as very easily accessible to the untrained ear and reveals true brilliance to the musically-trained ear. Few bands can accomplish the difficult task of treading the fine line of complexity and simplicity with originality and accessibility - Helmet perhaps did it better than anyone else.

In Betty Helmet truly lets loose and shows us what they can do musically and creatively with taste and talent and they push their own boundaries with the most fearless and beautiful sludge to mosh by. So the educated listeners of the world who found this album to be as extraordinary as I, ought preach the truth to the misguided Korn fans of the world for Helmet is simply that much better (just listen to the tune of the same name on "Meantime.") It is almost a shame that the last album Helmet gave us ("Aftertaste") deviated from the creative turn of Betty. In fact, it was more of an aftertaste than the real brew - a bit stale and bitter, lacking substance, and over-oaked. However, we ought look forward to Page Hamilton's future solo work (and perhaps an interesting collaboration with NIN's fearless production staff?) Alas, we shall see.

I didn't like this album very much when I bought it way back in 1994. I was in high school at the time and was JUST getting into rock music. I primarily listened to R&B and Rap and because of that didn't have such a keen ear when it came to rock. So, what prompted me to purchase this title in the first place? I owned The Crow soundtrack which I believe can stand as probably the best multiband compilation of all time (and ALL the songs were actually IN the movie). On that CD was a track called "Milktoast." That particular song was one of my favorite tracks on the CD and I had to purchase something else by this band I had never heard of called Helmet. Wanting a radio-friendly saccharin infused hard rock album (keeping in mind I was in high school) I found this CD disappointing. Some songs I liked, many I did not. Let's fast forward several years.

I used to be a violin/viola player and was starting my own rock band at my alma mater of Howard University. As the singer I had many ideas for songs and I decided to start playing guitar as a way of conveying my ideas to the band. As my playing skills increased I found myself turning to different directions for my musical inspiration. Now 1999, I shuffling through CD my CD collection and stumbled across something that I couldn't understand why I didn't like before: Betty. Helmet then became one of my all time favorite defunct bands (Nirvana being my other favorite) and I found my guitar playing sound greatly influenced by that of Page Hamilton. Through Helmet I honed my rhythm skills and learned through both Helmet and Nirvana that the most important thing about crafting a song is not necessarily it's complexity but it's actual effect on the listener.

Helmet's sound is deceptively simple, and even their most midtempo songs have very complex rhythm structures. To this day the rhythm patterns in "Vaccination" blow my mind.

Helmet's "in your face" straight forward rock has gone greatly overlooked for many years. In fact most people who are huge fans of the modern metal movement need to listen to this album and "Meantime" and will be surprised to find some riffs and even a few lyrics taken from Helmet. Listen to "Betty" and then "White Pony" and you'll see what I mean. The Deftones even covered "Sinatra" from Helmet's Strap It On album on an Import "Minerva" single.

Don't be fooled, most of the popular hard rock that's out there was influenced by this band whether they admit it or not. Many guitarists however, will readily admit it.

A departure from the sonic sizzle of Meantime, Betty in its own way freakin rocks! Whereas Meantime was a speeding freight train running off the edge of a very high cliff, Betty is more of a deliberate Sunday bullet train ride smack into a wall at 100mph. Very loud, heavy, and well put together, the songs here have plenty to get your blood boiling. I love Meantime and Betty each in their own way. Not to mention Aftertaste.

Rather than repeat superlatives that others have already said, I want to talk about a few other things. I saw Helmet twice in the 1993/94 timeframe. The first time I saw them was in Boston at the old Venus de Milo. I started up in the front by the stage and later traversed the pit back into the crowd. It was one of the best shows I ever went to and had the sweat to show for it. They were totally on and their sound killed! I plan to see them on tour for their new cd in Nov 2004.

In some reviews for their other CDs people have said they started a trend, often imitated but never duplicated, numerous bands who copied them but were crappy etc etc. Here's a little secret. There was one band who took the Helmet sound (as it seemed to me anyway but who knows) and made it their own and totally rocked. I'm talking of course about Snapcase and "Progression Through Unlearning". Sometime in 1996/97 several years between Helmet releases I heard this cd played in a record store. At first I thought wow its a new Helmet cd and its sound FANTASTIC! Then I found out it was Snapcase and immediately bought the cd. It was f*cking awesome! Helmet started with one sound in Meantime and then went in some other directions with Betty and Aftertaste. Snapcase took the Meantime sound and went into what I think is a pefectly logical continuation of that theme. Try it and see. Their followup "Designs" was pretty hot too.

I have a theory that if it takes many listens to like an album, then chances are you're less likely to get sick of it in the long run and will listen to it more over the years. (I find that easily accessible trendy music while great at first holds less appeal over time and then you forget about it.) If you find it takes several or more listens to this or any other Helmet album and maybe you like it a little more each time, then you are on the right track! I'm still loving them to this day!

My musical soulmate is a bass guitarist who loves old skool hip-hop, James Brown, and all Ice Cube, but there is one rythym section that he has constantly harped on at me about ever since I introduced him to this album: John Stanier and Henry Bogdan. He's not a fan of their earlier albums but this one totally rocks his boat. And that's one of the reasons it 'failed' to meet the standards set by the previous album - it rocked the boat. But never does it sink! In fact this album crunches just as hard as previous albums, but also swings in places unlike previous albums, and it also reaches a level of subtlety that allows big distortion to wash over the listener without being abrasive ('I Know'). Helmet fashioned an album that stretched their talents and showed that their form of Heavy Rock didn't have to limit them. 'Betty' is a much more enjoyable album to listen to, and allows each song to breathe its own air, rather than the same boring air that can often encompass one album. A great album, and well worth investigating, not only for the brilliant musicianship of all involved, but for great songs as well!

this album has been in my top ten for 16 years and now with this re-issue it has been moved up into the top 3. the b-sides and remixes are great. i've been trying to find those songs for a while now and it's great to finally have them. this was the pinnacle of helmet's career and it was all down hill after(slight up tic with monochrome then down again with seeing eye dog). thank you mr."i should have left the good name of helmet off of my last 3 albums" hamilton for doing something right and restoring a little of my faith in you