Helmet came onto the heavy metal scene in 1989 as something of an anomaly. First of all, they were clean-cut guys, in heavy contrast to contemporaries Metallica and Pantera and the like, with smart lyrics over ingeniously direct crunching guitars. I would never use the word "dumb" to describe their sound (they're often considered a "thinking person's" metal band, whatever that implies), but when they first crossed my path in 1992 after signing with Interscope and releasing their major-label debut Meantime, I was floored by how much they were doing with so little; The opening title track was built around a riff that was one single chord, yet the rhythm and energy behind it qualifies it as one of the most badass metal riffs of all time. Their legacy has influenced some of the best metal bands to come since, from The Deftones and Chevelle to Sepultura and Norma Jean.

Helmet endured lineup changes and relentless touring behind two more Interscope releases (1994's Betty, and 1997's Aftertaste), but in 1998 quit amid bitter "private disputes." Metal suffered ugly Rap-Metal and Nü-Metal phases while I for one continued to play my old Helmet and Pantera albums, and exploring other genres entirely. When the news came in 2004 that Helmet was re-signing with Interscope, and re-forming for another album and tour, I hit the ceiling. When Size Matters dropped later that year, it seemed to get mixed reactions from the old-school Helmet fans. As with most cases of a band with a huge following exploring new directions, there seemed to be a decent chunk of hardcore fans that were disappointed to not get Meantime Part 2. The presence of this crowd, however, was almost exclusive to internet news sites and metal geek blogs; I went to some of the shows on the Size Matters tour, and the new material killed, not paling by any means beside the band's older songs.

Since Size Matters, Helmet has left Interscope and signed with Warcon records, who will be releasing the new album, Monochrome, on July 18th. In the meantime (pun so not intended), Helmet will be touring the states headlining the Vans Warped Tour.

I got my hands on an advance copy of Monochrome last Saturday, and on Monday I was surprised with the news that Page Hamilton, the man behind Helmet, would be calling in to talk to CraveOnline about the new material, the latest lineup changes, and the jump from Interscope to Warcon. Page was the sharp, "thinking person's" metalhead I expected him to be, and it was a challenge to keep notes as our conversation twisted and turned.

As we got to talking about the details of recording Monochrome, I was surprised to learn that most of the complex guitar phrases and solos, such as the wandering lead in 'Bury Me,' were all done in single takes. Page has always been a fan of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and other jazz musicians with that magical ability to improvise in the language of music fluently, and something finally seemed to click, where Page could just go off on improvisational tangents with the moment in the studio. Many times he'd record additional takes with Wharton just to do them, just to see where else they could go.

Many early critics and press releases are already saying this album represents Helmet "going back to their roots," pointing out trivial facts such as the fact that it was recorded with the same analog tape machines Meantime and (the prior independent release) Strap It On were both recorded with. However, the communication of inspiration through the guitars have reached a new level. Page says he's been trying to quash that "back to the roots" thing; aside from it being a silly cliché, he doesn't feel that there's really a "classic" Helmet sound to "go back to." Every album is a progression, with new vocabulary, and Monochrome is no exception. With Page's creative growth came new confidence to push the lyrics into new territories, and to push his voice into higher ranges than he's typically known for. Usually as a vocalist gets on in his or her career, that upper end of range get harder and harder to hit, but in the case of Monochrome, a close listen should prove that it's truly a progression forward despite it's less subtle similarities to older Helmet albums.

During the Size Matters tour, Frank Bello left to reunite with Anthrax, and shortly after, John Tempesta left to play drums for the The Cult. The band temporarily brought in Charlie Walker and Anthony Truglio (of Page's other band, Gandhi) to play South By Southwest this year, and have since solidified a lineup which Page expects to stick through the current tour and those that will likely soon follow. The band passed on some "big names" to bring on relative unknown Mike Jost on drums, while Jeremy Chaterlain (of Jets To Brazil and Handsome) has returned to the band to play bass as he did on the Size Matters tour after Bello's departure.
As for the move to Warcon, it's hard to question the decision, which seems to be completely professional and not at all personal. The major labels are, more now than ever, all about hits. Page wanted to be more involved in every aspect of Helmet, beyond the music, from the album presentation to the marketing. He admits that assuming control of all those many additional aspects of the art can be daunting, but it's got to be a smoother ride on a smaller, more independent & hands-on label than with a big major-label hit machine.

As part of his deal with Interscope, Page produced a few records, such as Distort Yourself, the debut album from Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale's new band Institute. He talked with CraveOnline about his work with white New York hip-hoppers BlestéNation, as well as some film sound work, such as collaborations with T-Bone Burnett and a few other legendary musicians for the upcoming Beatles-inspired musical Across The Universe. Page plans to continue to work with other bands, co-writing and producing a bit, while recording a new Helmet album he hopes to release around this time next year. There will likely be more touring after the jaunt with Warped Tour as well; Page spoke as fondly as I do of the shows on the small headlining club tour the band did immediately following the release of Size Matters, and hopes to do that again soon.

For now, catch Helmet on the Vans Warped Tour, making its way across the US & Canada this summer.
'Gone,' the first single from Monochrome, is set to hit radio at the end of this month. The album drops July 18th from Warcon.