Helmet discography

Helmet discography
Releases
Studio albums 7
Compilation albums 2
Singles 15
Music videos 14

The discography of Helmet, a New York-based alternative metal band formed in 1989, consists of seven full-length studio albums, two compilation albums, fifteen singles, and fourteen music videos. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Helmet that was recorded with Adair, Anthrax, Band of Susans, Biohazard, The Cult, Disturbing the Peace, Exodus, Norma Jean, Testament, Tomahawk and White Zombie.

Contents

Biography

Helmet appeared on the New York underground scene in 1989 after vocalist/guitarist Page Hamilton had left Band of Susans. They were spotted by Tom Hazelmyer and signed to his Amphetamine Reptile Records label, releasing their debut 7 inch single, "Born Annoying", later that year. The label then released their first album, Strap It On, in 1990. After touring in support of that album, Helmet signed to Interscope Records in 1991 and started recording their second album, Meantime, which was released a year later. Meantime was far more successful, peaking at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and in 68th position on Billboard 200. The critically acclaimed album also provided their first ever charting single "Unsung", which remains one of Helmet's live staples, and later became the band's only album to achieve Gold status in the United States.[1]

After the release of Meantime, original guitarist Peter Mengede left Helmet on bad terms and was replaced by Rob Echeverria. The band returned to the studio with co-producer T-Ray in the fall of 1993, to record their third album. Betty, released in June 1994, earned the band its highest chart position, debuting at #45 on the Billboard 200 chart, with "Milquetoast", "Biscuits for Smut" and "Wilma's Rainbow" in particular becoming major rock radio hits at the time. Despite this, the album was not as successful as Meantime, and Echeverria soon left Helmet to join Biohazard. The band continued as a three-piece while recording their next album, Aftertaste, which was released in 1997. After recording was complete, guitarist Chris Traynor (formerly of Orange 9mm) was recruited for the supporting tour. Although "Exactly What You Wanted" became a moderate radio hit, the album spent only a few weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. In 1998, Helmet decided to break up after "9 years, 1600 shows" and 5 albums.

A long period of inactivity ended in early 2004 when Hamilton decided to resurrect Helmet, with a new lineup of John Tempesta on drums and Chris Traynor (guitarist on the Aftertaste tour) on bass. This lineup recorded the band's first post-reunion album Size Matters, which was released in September 2004. After recording was done, bassist Frank Bello was brought in so Traynor could return to guitar. However, Bello left before its conclusion to reunite with Anthrax, who was then reuniting with the "classic" Among the Living lineup. Jeremy Chatelain replaced Bello for the duration of the tour. Tempesta also left band in early 2006 to join the reunited Cult.

In late 2005, Helmet abandoned their fourteen year relationship with Interscope and signed with Warcon Enterprises. The band had also announced that a new album was in the works for an early summer 2006 release. Helmet performed at the 2006 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, with a temporary lineup consisting of Charlie Walker on drums, Chris Traynor on bass, and Anthony Truglio (formerly of Gandhi) on guitar. The new album, Monochrome, released in July 2006, was recorded and co-produced by Wharton Tiers, who recorded Helmet's first two albums. For the album, Hamilton and Traynor returned to the studio with newly recruited drummer, Mike Jost (formerly of Adair). Helmet headlined the 2006 Warped Tour in support of Monochrome, with Jeremy Chatelain reprising his role from the 2005 Size Matters tour.

Helmet's latest album, Seeing Eye Dog, was released on September 7, 2010 via Work Song, the label imprint shared by singer/songwriter Joe Henry and Helmet mainman Page Hamilton's manager.

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[2][3]
AUS
[4]
AUT
[5]
CHE
[6]
FIN
[7]
GER
[8]
NLD
[9]
NZL
[10]
SWE
[11]
UK
[12]
1990 Strap It On
1992 Meantime
  • Released: June 23, 1992
  • Label: Interscope (92162-2)
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
68 US: Gold[1]
1994 Betty
  • Released: June 21, 1994
  • Label: Interscope (92404-2)
  • Format: CD, CS, LP, DI
45 23 18 32 16 71 43 13 38
1997 Aftertaste
  • Released: March 18, 1997
  • Label: Interscope (INTD-90073)
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
47 20 22 30 52 45 139
2004 Size Matters
  • Released: September 14, 2004
  • Label: Interscope (B0002968-02)
  • Format: CD
121 97
2006 Monochrome
  • Released: July 18, 2006
  • Label: Warcon (WRCN11)
  • Format: CD, LP
159
2010 Seeing Eye Dog
  • Released: September 7, 2010
  • Label: Work Song (001)
  • Format: CD, LP, DI
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Compilations

Year Album details
1995 Born Annoying
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Amphetamine Reptile (AMREP 036)
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
2004 Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997)
  • Released: January 27, 2004
  • Label: Interscope (000056002)
  • Format: CD

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt.

[13]
US
Main.

[14]
NZL
[10]
UK
[12]
1992 "Unsung" 29 32 Meantime
"Give It"
1993 "In the Meantime"
"Just Another Victim" (with House of Pain) 28 Judgment Night soundtrack
1994 "Milquetoast" 39 Betty
"Biscuits for Smut" 78
"Wilma's Rainbow"
1997 "Exactly What You Wanted" 19 Aftertaste
"Like I Care"
2004 "See You Dead" 29 Size Matters
"Unwound"
2005 "Smart"
2006 "Gone" Monochrome
"Monochrome"
2007 "Money Shot"
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Music videos

Other appearances

Year Song Album
1995 "Custard Pie" Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

References

  1. ^ a b "RIAA Gold and Platinum searchable database". Search for artist "Helmet". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  2. ^ "Helmet > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/helmet-p4472/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  3. ^ "Helmet Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/helmet/chart-history/4811?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-01-26. 
  4. ^ "Discography Helmet". Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  5. ^ "Discographie Helmet" (in German). Das Österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal. http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  6. ^ "Discographie Helmet" (in German). Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade. http://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  7. ^ "Discography Helmet" (in Finnish). Hung Medien. http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  8. ^ "Chartverfolgung / HELMET / Longplay" (in German). PhonoNet. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/HELMET/longplay. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  9. ^ "Discografie Helmet" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  10. ^ a b "Discography Helmet". Hung Medien. http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  11. ^ "Diskografi Helmet" (in Swedish). Hung Medien. http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Helmet. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  12. ^ a b Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: H & Claire – Hysterix". Zobbel. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_H.HTM. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  13. ^ "Helmet Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/helmet/chart-history/4811?f=377&g=Singles. Retrieved 2011-01-26. 
  14. ^ "Helmet > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/helmet-p4472/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  15. ^ [1]