Helmet

Helmet formed in New York City in 1989, with Page Hamilton on guitar and vocals, Henry Bogdan on bass, and John Stanier on drums. Their debut 'Strap It On' came out in 1990, followed by 'Meantime' in 1992 and 'Betty' in 1994. Songs like 'Better' and 'FBLA' from those records show their approach: heavy, precise guitar riffs over a tight rhythm section, with Hamilton's vocals sitting somewhere between a shout and a monotone.

They were often called noise rock or post-hardcore, but their sound was less chaotic than some of their peers. It was more like a machine, all sharp angles and repetition. The lyrics could be political or just abstract, but they weren't preaching. The band toured hard in the '90s, building a following without much radio play.

After 'Aftertaste' in 1997, the lineup shifted some, with Chris Traynor joining on guitar for a while. They kept making records into the 2000s, though the original trio's run in the '90s is what most people remember. Their influence shows up in later bands that valued heaviness and structure over flash.