Search - Helmet :: Aftertaste

Unjustly dismissed

Grant McKee | Chicago, IL United States | 02/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most long-time Helmet fans (and I count myself as one), when this album was released in 1997 pointed to what they saw as flaws - a concious effort to make the album accessible, a (slight) tempering of the ferocity the band displayed up to and including "Meantime," and the simple fact that they didn't remake the same album over and over. Guess what? "Aftertaste" might be their most consistently enjoyable disc.



While I pretty much enjoy any and all of Helmet's albums (okay, "Size Matters" isn't that great...), I can ALWAYS throw "Aftertaste" in and get into it. The songs hit with the melodic sensabilities of a band like Foo Fighters without losing the crunch Helmet was known for. I think this set of songs stands out more than their breakthrough "Meantime" or their older material, generally favored by fans that want to put forth the image that they weren't late to the Helmet party. The drums on this disc are particulary noteworthy, with John Stanier turning in his always-reliable hard-hitting drumming, this time augmented with better production. The songs (all of which, I think, were written by Page Hamilton) are better than anything he's written before or since, minus a handful of tracks. The lyrics are better than anything before or since - take lines like "I'd rather be insulted by you than someone I respect" for instance.



I know this review will irk some long-time fans, but it's time to hang up your elitist attitude and admit that just because a band breaks through to the mainstream, it doesn't mean their best work is behind them."

Excellent. All five stars deserved

G. C JONES | Somerville, MA United States | 09/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the greatest straightforward metal album of the mid '90s. Page Hamilton has an amazing ability to come up with truly heavy, catchy riffs. He keeps a good variety in the songs as well, and the soft parts come out right. This album is excellent for playing along with and is required material for any serious metalhead's collection. All thirteen songs are good."

The most underrated and underappreciated album ever!!

jk | rochester, ny | 01/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Helmet is a perfect example of why we have all these weak, insignificant pop bands and the mass sheep of our consumers continue to buy those albums instead of listening to real geniune amazing bands like helmet. these guys were so ahead of there time its insane. this is one of the best albums ever made and so are there other ones. they continued to push the envelope and expand there sound while keeping true to there hardcore roots. if it wasnt for helmet there probably wouldnt be the hardcore bands that are out there today so buy this ablum and listen to one of the best albums you will ever hear."