The new found success of the L.A. metal scene can only find its roots in the breakthroughs of the late eitghties and early nineties post-punk scene of New York city. Helmet is a major player in the establishment of these roots. But what makes them so groundbreaking is the overlay of complex rhythms and complicated chord structures and progressions with the simple crunch of de-tuned riffs that drive the whole project. "Overrated," the opening of "I Know," and the closing of "Milqeutoast" are perfect examples of what I mean here, with the latter almost being reminiscient of something that Allan Holdsworth may have written. The whole thing comes across as very easily accessible to the untrained ear and reveals true brilliance to the musically-trained ear. Few bands can accomplish the difficult task of treading the fine line of complexity and simplicity with originality and accessibility - Helmet perhaps did it better than anyone else.

In Betty Helmet truly lets loose and shows us what they can do musically and creatively with taste and talent and they push their own boundaries with the most fearless and beautiful sludge to mosh by. So the educated listeners of the world who found this album to be as extraordinary as I, ought preach the truth to the misguided Korn fans of the world for Helmet is simply that much better (just listen to the tune of the same name on "Meantime.") It is almost a shame that the last album Helmet gave us ("Aftertaste") deviated from the creative turn of Betty. In fact, it was more of an aftertaste than the real brew - a bit stale and bitter, lacking substance, and over-oaked. However, we ought look forward to Page Hamilton's future solo work (and perhaps an interesting collaboration with NIN's fearless production staff?) Alas, we shall see.


To betty or not to betty   August 26, 2004
AngryGerbil (St. Louis, MO USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

There are two types of Helmet fans. Those who think "Betty" is the best work Helmet ever did, and those who think "Betty" is Helmet selling out and becomming too weak.

I fall into the former category. To me, Helmet was on the verge of greatness for a long time, they had their finger on the trigger for years. This is the album in which they finally pulled that trigger. All other Helmet albums sound like a dirty scramble, a ceaseless search for "it".

Betty is "it". The hardcore fans out there will tell you that Betty is too commercial, too pop, too weak, too radio friendly. Maybe this is true, but it depends on your definition of "too".

Considering that the only Helmet single I have ever heard on the radio or MTV isn't even on this album, I choose to disagree with the "hardcore base". Betty is Helmet at its best, it is when Helmet stops making noise and starts making music. this album was on the tip of their tounge for a long time.

If you can listen to the songs Vaccination and Tic and not like them than you are one of two things: Either you don't like metal music at all, in which case you aren't even reading this; or you are so devout to hating anything that might get radio play that you have blinded yourself. I used to be in both categories at one time, I now know good stuff when I hear it. This is good stuff. One of the best CD's ever produced.


My Favorite Album of All Time   January 16, 2005
Mathew W. St Martin (Marquette, MI)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I really appreciate the past few reviews given for this album, these were from individuals who understand musical superiority above the common labels and attachments given by critics who take in music at face value. Page commented that he was putting the lab coat on for this album, and that's where this album becomes so honest. Experimentation in the music industry is the most dangerous thing for any artist to do, but at the same time produces the true desires of that artist; this is where the artist has the most fun and doesn't take the results into consideration. Betty is hands down Helmets worst selling album but easily there best. This is a musicians album... the nay-sayers are obviously not true musicians, they are simply disappointed metal-heads and head bangers. Helmet easily could have stuck with the formula for Meantime in an attempt to become more popular and mainstream but fortunatelly they had the presence of mind to enjoy their proffesion instead of abusing it.

Incubus's "Make Yourself", Metallica's "Load", Deftones "White Pony", Shiner's "The Egg", Pearl Jam's "No Code" and Primus's "Brown Album" all challenge these barriers and show what an artist, like them or not, should attempt at some time in there career... play for yourself and not your fans, at least once. Music is very personal to those producing it and unfortunatelly too many artists get negative labels for showing their true colors.

Betty is a brilliant album and it is my hope that even though the ties between Page, Stanier and Bogdan have broken that all three of them are still extemely proud of the outcome of this album regardless of it's sales. Helmet is probably the heaviest music in my catalog, but I own it because it is true music. I can accept criticism of Size Matters and Aftertaste but there is no basis for any cut on Betty. Brilliant! If you are a drummer you are insane if you don't own this album, and if you criticize it please give me an alternative of what you consider true music and I will try to further my explination based on your suggestion.


One of the Greatest Bands of All Time   June 19, 2003
tbiddy (NYC)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I didn't like this album very much when I bought it way back in 1994. I was in high school at the time and was JUST getting into rock music. I primarily listened to R&B and Rap and because of that didn't have such a keen ear when it came to rock. So, what prompted me to purchase this title in the first place? I owned The Crow soundtrack which I believe can stand as probably the best multiband compilation of all time (and ALL the songs were actually IN the movie). On that CD was a track called "Milktoast." That particular song was one of my favorite tracks on the CD and I had to purchase something else by this band I had never heard of called Helmet. Wanting a radio-friendly saccharin infused hard rock album (keeping in mind I was in high school) I found this CD disappointing. Some songs I liked, many I did not. Let's fast forward several years.

I used to be a violin/viola player and was starting my own rock band at my alma mater of Howard University. As the singer I had many ideas for songs and I decided to start playing guitar as a way of conveying my ideas to the band. As my playing skills increased I found myself turning to different directions for my musical inspiration. Now 1999, I shuffling through CD my CD collection and stumbled across something that I couldn't understand why I didn't like before: Betty. Helmet then became one of my all time favorite defunct bands (Nirvana being my other favorite) and I found my guitar playing sound greatly influenced by that of Page Hamilton. Through Helmet I honed my rhythm skills and learned through both Helmet and Nirvana that the most important thing about crafting a song is not necessarily it's complexity but it's actual effect on the listener.

Helmet's sound is deceptively simple, and even their most midtempo songs have very complex rhythm structures. To this day the rhythm patterns in "Vaccination" blow my mind.

Helmet's "in your face" straight forward rock has gone greatly overlooked for many years. In fact most people who are huge fans of the modern metal movement need to listen to this album and "Meantime" and will be surprised to find some riffs and even a few lyrics taken from Helmet. Listen to "Betty" and then "White Pony" and you'll see what I mean. The Deftones even covered "Sinatra" from Helmet's Strap It On album on an Import "Minerva" single.

Don't be fooled, most of the popular hard rock that's out there was influenced by this band whether they admit it or not. Many guitarists however, will readily admit it.


Helmet one of the greatest bands of all time!   October 27, 2004
zmax (Boston, MA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

A departure from the sonic sizzle of Meantime, Betty in its own way freakin rocks! Whereas Meantime was a speeding freight train running off the edge of a very high cliff, Betty is more of a deliberate Sunday bullet train ride smack into a wall at 100mph. Very loud, heavy, and well put together, the songs here have plenty to get your blood boiling. I love Meantime and Betty each in their own way. Not to mention Aftertaste.

Rather than repeat superlatives that others have already said, I want to talk about a few other things. I saw Helmet twice in the 1993/94 timeframe. The first time I saw them was in Boston at the old Venus de Milo. I started up in the front by the stage and later traversed the pit back into the crowd. It was one of the best shows I ever went to and had the sweat to show for it. They were totally on and their sound killed! I plan to see them on tour for their new cd in Nov 2004.

In some reviews for their other CDs people have said they started a trend, often imitated but never duplicated, numerous bands who copied them but were crappy etc etc. Here's a little secret. There was one band who took the Helmet sound (as it seemed to me anyway but who knows) and made it their own and totally rocked. I'm talking of course about Snapcase and "Progression Through Unlearning". Sometime in 1996/97 several years between Helmet releases I heard this cd played in a record store. At first I thought wow its a new Helmet cd and its sound FANTASTIC! Then I found out it was Snapcase and immediately bought the cd. It was f*cking awesome! Helmet started with one sound in Meantime and then went in some other directions with Betty and Aftertaste. Snapcase took the Meantime sound and went into what I think is a pefectly logical continuation of that theme. Try it and see. Their followup "Designs" was pretty hot too.

I have a theory that if it takes many listens to like an album, then chances are you're less likely to get sick of it in the long run and will listen to it more over the years. (I find that easily accessible trendy music while great at first holds less appeal over time and then you forget about it.) If you find it takes several or more listens to this or any other Helmet album and maybe you like it a little more each time, then you are on the right track! I'm still loving them to this day!