PureVolume

Page Hamilton : vocalist/guitarist
Chris Traynor : guitarist
Mike Jost : drummer
Jeremy Chatelain : bassist

return July 18 with MONOCHROME, a record that finds the bands full circle return to the sonic template that cemented the band as one of the primary forefathers of the post-hardcore/punk genre. With the return of producer Wharton Tiers to the fold, a lineup shift, and a headlining slot on this summers Warped Tour, Helmet and founder and vocalist/guitarist Page Hamilton are in prime fighting shape.

For MONOCHROME, Hamilton enlisted collaborator Wharton Tiers to co-produce with the intention of a return to the organic sound the band is known for. Tiers recorded the bands first two releases Strap It On (1991) and Meantime (1992), the latter of which sold over a million copies and defined the brusque element of Americans underground rock scene.

Wharton was my only choice to co-produce this project with me, said Hamilton. Apart from the sounds he can get in his studio, he was also a major influence in terms of helping me shape my guitar playing. On this, the bands sixth full-length, Hamilton knew what he wanted otherwise. This album was made quickly, like the first two Helmet records, and I didnt want anybody elses opinions to slow me down. Ive done this before and I wanted to do it my way.

The current band lineup is a group of musicians carefully selected by Hamilton to carry on the Helmet tradition. Chris Traynor( guitars) has been putting up with my shit for twelve years he probably needs therapy by now. Jeremy Chatelain (bass) is just fantastic and I can tell hes feeling the itch to go out and play. Mike Jost (drums) is a guy who hasnt been through this whole band experience before, but he has the technical ability that he needs to play with Helmet.

HELMETs catalog also includes Betty (1994), Aftertaste (1996), and Size Matters (2004). Helmets forward fusion of metal, punk, indie-rock, and jazz has inspired countless bands--many that have come to define their own disparate threads of heavy rock. The HELMET sound sparked a new brand of metal, crossing all traditional music boundaries, paving the way for bands like Chevelle, Deftones, Killswitch Engage, Norma Jean and Silverchair, among many others. The New York Times called HELMET a band that made important connections between indie-rock and metal (September 12, 2004).

Im always stoked when people tell me that they do what they do because of my music, says Hamilton. Im always surprised. People like David Bowie and Gene Simmons are fans of my band. Thats as good as it gets. Hamilton attributes much of the bands success to his uncompromising search for self-satisfaction. Only 20% of the music I listen to is rock, and of that an even smaller percentage is new music. I try to stay focused on creating my own music.

HELMET formed in New York City in 1989 by founding members Page Hamilton, Henry Bogdan, Peter Mengede and John Stainer. The group signed to Amphetamine Reptile Records, and released their first full-length album, Strap It On, in 1991. Interscope Records soon came calling and signed the band in 1992. Monochrome is Helmets first release for Warcon Records, one of the leading post-hardcore/punk labels in the industry today.

BUY MONOCHROME HERE

Enter Warcon Enterprises