Disco de Helmet: “Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991-1997)”

It's amazing what time, studio remastering, and a well-constructed " best of" can do for a defunct rock band. In the case of Helmet, it gives them a second life - not that they weren't vibrant in their first run. It's more that their musical prowess went under-noticed.

Lead singer Page Hamilton often commented about the band's lack of market appeal - a quality in their time that prohibited their explosion ie being all over the radio, etc. The move doesn't seem by accident. They didn't want to be THAT popular band that exploded then fizzled. Instead, the New York band played hard, driving rock in the vein of punk and hardcore, helped pioneer the "nu-metal" sound(a tag the band despised), ignored trends and never fully exploded commercially.

What mattered to them was the music. Hearing this compilation is a reminder of how good they were; they sound muscular and very hard-rocking. Track for track, the strongest from major label albums Meantime ("In the Meantime", "Give It" "Unsung"), Betty ("Wilma's Rainbow", "Milquetoast", "Rollo"), and Aftertaste ("Pure", "Renovation", "Like I Care," "Driving Nowhere," "Exactly What You Wanted") are here. There's even two lesser-known soundtrack tracks ("Disagreeable" - Feeling Minnesota ; "Just Another Victim" - Judgment Night).

Unsung is an excellent starter for the casual fan and a nice set for the die-hard who want all Helmet's best in the same spot. And while there are missing tracks ("You Borrowed", "Biscuits for Smut", "Speechless"), they're so few that it's easy to overlook. Ultimately, a band overlooked by many have been given a strong compilation, and a second chance at discovery by those who missed them the first time.

Helmet is such a great band. 21 great song, one of the best metal bands ever, what do you want more? Thinking-man's metal at it's best.

if you think helmet and pantera suck and system of a down is good you are severely retarded and should be committed

Sweet tunes! This takes me back to high school. If you like your 90's on the hard side and you've never heard of Helmet, at least sample the track "In The Meantime..." \m/

First I just want to say that helmet "AREN'T" nu metal and despite what you say, this is pure metal. They never got the respect they needed but that's metal man, just making some heavy music and don't care at all. So all you so-called "Metalheads" who say you're metal should pick this up and experience some some hard-hitting music that's really heavy. Doesn't matter if there's bands who have blast beats, or growl and scream all the time, I mean I love all that stuff but Helmet proves they can be heavy and more metal than any of the bands of today who are all covered with tattoo's, long hair, think they are the loudest, and then go on and cover pop songs(WHAT THE HELL?). Page hamilton shreds all those little posers and not to mention great drumming from John stanier. So if Helmet doesn't suit you, Guess you don't know a thing about metal. That said, Let's me say the songs of course aren't just heavy but some melodic and rage from hardcore punk to alternative one of the best songs here is Sinatra from strap it on. And man what a great headbanging song it is. I'm listening to it right now which is why I don't care how bad I'm writing just rocking out. Pick this up and be prepared for some REAL metal. Even the song "just another victim" is nice which changes into a hip hop song featuring old school hip hop group House of pain. I don't mind it cause I really do hate hip hop but is a nice track and nope... that does not make them nu metal either. Best alternative metal band ever even the new helmet kicks butt too.