Left is the ninth studio album by the American alternative metal band Helmet, released on November 10, 2023, through earMUSIC.[4] It is the band's first studio album in seven years, since Dead to the World (2016), the longest gap between albums to date.
| Left | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 10, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Alternative metal | |||
| Length | 31:14 | |||
| Label | earMUSIC | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Helmet chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Left | ||||
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Distorted Sound | 8/10[5] |
| Kerrang! | 2/5[6] |
| Louder Than War |   [7] |
| Metal.de | 6/10[8] |
| Metal Hammer | [9] |
| Metal Storm | 4.5/10[10] |
| Rock Hard | 8/10[11] |
Metal Hammer's Stephen Hill wrote "Helmet are still capable of harnessing all the elements that made them such a brilliantly idiosyncratic band three decades ago. Left contains some of the year's most instantaneous, memorable, propulsive yet deceptively complex riffs that serve as a base for everything from wild noise freakouts to some truly unexpected vocal hooks."[9]
Distorted Sound writer Gavin Brown wrote that, "With their line-up stable for over a decade, and their ever-present vocalist/guitarist Page Hamilton sounding as good as ever, the band still have those riffs ever present on Left and the grooves are just as irresistible today as they have been all through the band's history."[5]
Track listing
editAll songs are written by Page Hamilton and Kyle Stevenson, except where noted.[12]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Holiday" | 3:22 | |
| 2. | "Gun Fluf" | 3:29 | |
| 3. | "NYC Tough Guy" | 2:34 | |
| 4. | "Make-Up" | 2:48 | |
| 5. | "Big Shot" | 2:43 | |
| 6. | "Bombastic" | 3:11 | |
| 7. | "Reprise" | 1:41 | |
| 8. | "Dislocated" | 3:19 | |
| 9. | "Tell Me Again" | Page Hamilton | 2:43 |
| 10. | "Powder Puff" | 3:41 | |
| 11. | "Resolution" (John Coltrane cover) | John Coltrane | 1:43 |
| Total length: | 31:14 | ||
Personnel
editPersonnel per liner notes.[12]
Helmet
- Dan Beeman – rhythm guitar
- Dave Case – bass guitar
- Page Hamilton – lead guitar, vocals, production
- Kyle Stevenson – drums
Additional musicians
- Ro Rowan – cello
- Paul Cartwright – string arrangements, violin
- Megan Shung – violin
- Zach Dellinger – viola
Technical
- Jim Kaufman – production, mixing, engineering
- Mark Renk – production
- Howie Weinberg – mastering
- Ryan Molder – engineering
- Joe Cincotta – engineering
- Gregg Cash – engineering assistance
Visuals
- Richard DeSilva – artwork, design
References
edit- ^ "Helmet: Helmet Releases 'Holiday' Single From Upcoming Left Album". Blabbermouth.net. August 23, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Blabbermouth (September 20, 2023). "Helmet Releases 'Gun Fluf' Single From Upcoming 'Left' Album". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Stickler, Jon (October 18, 2023). "Helmet Release New Single Big Shot". Stereoboard. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Helmet To Release First Album In Seven Years, Left, In November". Blabbermouth.net. July 10, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ a b "Album Review: Left – Helmet". Distorted Sound. November 13, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Olly (November 6, 2023). "Album review: Helmet – Left". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Carey, Wayne (November 5, 2023). "Helmet: Left - Album Review". Louder Than War. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Di Iorio, Oliver (November 3, 2023). "Helmet - Left Review". metal.de. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "Forget Rage Against The Machine and Faith No More: Helmet are nu metal's unsung architects and Left is the best record they've done in nearly 20 years". Metal Hammer. November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ omne metallum (December 3, 2023). "Helmet - Left review". Metal Storm. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Left". Rock Hard (Vol. 437) (in German). October 21, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ a b Helmet (2023). Left (booklet). earMUSIC. 0219035EMU.
External links
edit- Left on YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- earMUSIC (November 14, 2023). Helmet - The Making of Left. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via YouTube.