Helmet is an American alternative metal band from New York City, New York. Formed in 1989, the group originally featured guitarist and vocalist Page Hamilton, guitarist Peter Mengede, bassist Henry Bogdan, and drummer John Stanier. The group released its debut album Strap It On in 1990, followed by Meantime in 1992 on Interscope Records. Due to increased tensions with frontman Hamilton, Mengede was fired from the band on February 17, 1993. After his dismissal, the guitarist went on to form the supergroup Handsome. Rob Echeverria was enlisted to perform on the 1994 album Betty, although he left the band after the touring cycle for Betty ended in 1996 to join Biohazard. Helmet recorded Aftertaste as a three-piece, with Hamilton performing all guitars. After touring with former Orange 9mm guitarist Chris Traynor, the band broke up in 1998.
In 2003, it was announced that Helmet had reformed with bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson and drummer John Tempesta joining Hamilton and Traynor. A spokesperson for Hamilton later debunked the news, but noted that Hamilton and Traynor were working on an unidentified project. In early 2004, the Helmet reformation was officially announced, with recently former Anthrax bassist Frank Bello and drummer Tempesta joining the group. Helmet's fifth album, Size Matters, was released in late 2004. Bello left to return to Anthrax in early 2005, with Jeremy Chatelain (Mengede's former bandmate in Handsome) taking his place for remaining tour dates. Tempesta left in early 2006 to join The Cult, with Mike Jost taking his place a few months later. In September, after the release of Monochrome, more lineup changes were announced as both Traynor and Jost left the group. New additions Kyle Stevenson (drums) and Jon Fuller (bass) were announced the following month, which also marked Chatelain's departure. Jimmy Thompson was also announced as the guitarist to replace Traynor. Later in 2006, Rob De Luca briefly replaced Fuller as bassist for a Canadian tour, although Fuller returned shortly afterwards. In late 2007, Thompson left the band, and he was replaced by Dan Beeman the following February.
Helmet returned with the new studio album Seeing Eye Dog in 2010, which featured a returning Traynor on bass; Dave Case was officially announced as the group's new touring bassist around the same time. The band released its eighth studio album Dead to the World in 2016, which was the first to feature Case. Helmet's ninth album, Left, followed in 2025. It was the first time that the band's lineup stayed intact for two successive albums since 1990's Strap It On and 1992's Meantime.
Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsPage Hamiltonall Helmet releasesKyle Stevenson2006–presentDan Beeman2008–presentDave Case2010–present
Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsHenry Bogdan1989–1998bassJohn StanierdrumsPeter Mengede1989–1993rhythm guitarRob Echeverria1993–1996Chris TraynorJohn Tempesta2004–2006drumsSize Matters (2004)Frank Bello2004–2005 noneJeremy Chatelain2005–2006 Seeing Eye Dog (2010) – Live at Warped Tour bonus disc onlyMike Jost2006drumsJon Fullerbass, backing vocalsSeeing Eye Dog (2010) – bonus USB key live albums onlyJimmy Thompson2006–2007rhythm guitarSeeing Eye Dog (2010) – Live in Detroit bonus USB key live album onlyRob De Luca2006 none
Timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesEarly 1989 – February 1993Page Hamilton – lead guitar, vocals Peter Mengede – rhythm guitar Henry Bogdan – bass John Stanier – drumsStrap It On (1990) Meantime (1992) Born Annoying (1995) Live and Rare (2021)Early 1993 – mid 1996Page Hamilton – lead guitar, vocals Henry Bogdan – bass John Stanier – drums Rob Echeverria – rhythm guitarBetty (1994)Mid 1996 – early 1997Page Hamilton – guitars, vocals Henry Bogdan – bass John Stanier – drumsAftertaste (1997)Early 1997 – early 1998Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Henry Bogdan – bass John Stanier – drums Chris Traynor – rhythm guitar, backing vocals none Band inactive 1998–2004March – June 2004Page Hamilton – guitars, lead vocals Chris Traynor – bass, backing vocals John Tempesta – drumsSize Matters (2004)June 2004 – April 2005Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Chris Traynor – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals John Tempesta – drums Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals none June 2005 – February 2006Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Chris Traynor – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals John Tempesta – drums Jeremy Chatelain – bass, backing vocals May – August 2006Page Hamilton – lead vocals, guitar Chris Traynor – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals Jeremy Chatelain – bass, backing vocals Mike Jost – drumsMonochrome (2006) Live at Warped Tour, San Francisco (2010)August – November 2006Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Kyle Stevenson – drums, backing vocals Jon Fuller – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Thompson – rhythm guitarnone November – December 2006Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Kyle Stevenson – drums, backing vocals Jimmy Thompson – rhythm guitar Rob De Luca – bass, backing vocals December 2006 – late 2007Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Kyle Stevenson – drums, backing vocals Jimmy Thompson – rhythm guitar Jon Fuller – bass, backing vocals Live in Detroit, Michigan (2010)February 2008 – June 2010Page Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Kyle Stevenson – drums, backing vocals Jon Fuller – bass Dan Beeman – rhythm guitar, backing vocalsSeeing Eye Dog (2010) Live at Grasspop in Dessel, Belgium (2010) Live in Budapest, Hungary (2010) Live in Angouleme, France (2010)June 2010 – presentPage Hamilton – lead guitar, lead vocals Kyle Stevenson – drums, backing vocals Dan Beeman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Dave Case – bass, backing vocalsDead to the World (2016) Left (2023)
References
External links Helmet official website