What happens when you blend hard core, jazz and metal? You get Helmet’s major label debut “Meantime”, that’s what!
JOIN US as we walk through the album, the tracks and the unique style that brought a new kind of groove to 90’s metal.
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IF YOU DON’T ALREADY OWN HELMET MEANTIME - GET IT HERE!! IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT.
IF YOU DO OWN IT - YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW BAD ASS IT IS
Recorded 12/91-02/92
Released: 06/23/92
Studio(s): Fun City, NYC/Chicago Recording Company (for “In the Meantime”)
Credits:
Produced by Helmet
Steve Albini: Engineer (“In the Meantime”). He’s also been a member of the following bands: Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac. He’s also the owner and principal engineer of Electrical Audio studios in Chicago, IL.
Wharton Tiers: Engineer, all songs except “In the Meantime”. He’s also worked with White Zombie & Quicksand
Andy Wallace Mixing
Steve Sisco: Assistant Mixing, Engineer
Howie Wenberg: Mastering
Lineup:
Page Hamilton: Vocals/Lead Guitar
Peter Mengede: Rhythm Guitar
Henry Bogdan: Bass
John Stanier: Drums
Tracks:
In the Meantime (recorded by Steve Albini)
Ironhead
Give It
Unsung
Turned Out
He Feels Bad
Better
You Borrowed
FBLA II
Role Model
This is actually the 2nd Helmet album (their first was “Strap it On” in 1990) but their first for a major label. Apparently they were being touted as “the next Nirvana” after all the hype of Nirvana and the blossoming of what would become Grunge.
Peaked at #68 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and #1 Top Heatseekers chart. Still the only Helmet album to go gold in the US (Gold = 500K copies)
Cool story regarding the 20 year anniversary of Meantime:
https://www.treblezine.com/in-the-meantime-helmets-landmark-album-at-20/
(00:00): Intro/a word from Nigel/Adam is on assignment for Metal Nerdery
(01:49): ”The Next Nirvana” (#noteven)/ Helmet: Meantime (It’s Sabbathized goodness!)/ #metalhasballsagain /The Helmet groove and; the “stops”
(04:30): Recorded Dec. 1991 to Feb. 1992/Released 06.23.1992/wait, 60!?
(07:00): #oddsod/Wharton Tiers (engineering for everything but ‘In the Meantime’, produced by Steve Albini) /Andy Wallace, an important name in Metal! (HAIL!)/Mastering by Howie Weinberg (#hesablessing)/Matt’s Dimebag impression/#metalninja
(10:07): the Helmet Meantime lineup/Chart positions (Heatseekers?)/Only Helmet album to go Gold in the USA/Helmet: the lighter side of hardcore?
(12:32): The tracks: In the Meantime/ #suicidepaneling
(15:51): Ironhead (HAIL to Page Hamilton’s riff construction!)/wait, WHAT did he said!?/Change from traditional song structures
(18:55): Give It (aka Track Tres)/Page Hamilton’s guitar solos (#Slayeresque)
(22:11): Unsung (#cantbeloudenough)
(24:36): Turned Out (can you find the MTV reference?)/How does he sing AND play over THAT!?/#toiletpaperdynasty/Metal Nerdery Investment advice/fyi: Aquafina is a PEPSI product!/#novelcoronacovidsars etiquette/TELL EVERYONE IN YOUR QUARANTINE CIRCLE ABOUT METAL NERDERY!
(32:03): He Feels Bad/#classicalbum/Page Hamilton: a modern day riff lord
(34:37): Better (#thatriff)/get out!/vocal aggression/#flowerylanguage
(37:58): You Borrowed (very Sabbathy)/#captaincorona/#shovedinwhere
(39:29): FBLA II (Future Business Leaders of America Part 2?)/Black Sabbath meets Hardcore/#angrysolos/those drum fills!
(42:53): Role Model (Betty/Aftertaste feel)/ Meantime: a good starting point for Helmet
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