Helmet at Club Academy, Manchester.

Alternative Metal band Helmet from New York City have hit Manchester on their Look Left World Tour. Helmet had had numerous lineup changes with Hamilton as the only constant member; since 2010, the band has consisted of Hamilton, Drummer Kyle Stevenson, Guitarist Dan Beeman and Bassist Dave Chase.

This gig is a slightly odd one with it being a mid-week show you would normally expect a support or two with doors being at 7:30pm and ending at 11pm. But with no support the guys are on at 8:30pm and finishing at 10:30pm, giving everyone two hours of Helmet. Half the room of Club Academy is filled with generations alike tonight, with some technical faults with the second microphone; only Page Hamilton can be heard.

From looking at them I’m getting the vibes of five finger death punch but way less heavy and more generic rock. In terms of stage presence it’s very simple and basic with everything being on a loop, if you took the music away and just recorded everything then you just look like you’re watching a 1 long repeat of 20 seconds. Main vocals wise they’re sake and grimy sounding very Deftones but less whiny. Solos from rhythm guitarist Dan Beeman were solid and perfectly clean and insanely satisfying, the bass riffs I found sounded the same throughout the duration.

Around the time (6th song) came a small pit opened towards the front with long hair of the many metalheads in the room flying everywhere. I won’t lie, the pause towards the end of the song to make the illusion of a sudden end was a pretty nice touch, especially since it got a shout of “oiiii” from the crowd in confusion followed by a cheer. Take the instrumental sound of Five Finger Death Punch and the vocals of Deftones and that’s what you have here.

Despite having no support, the vibes were unmatched in the room; it felt like everyone was in good spirits. Probably the joy of having an easy relaxed gig to attend.

7/10

Setlist: