Size Matters
Encyclopedia
Size Matters is the fifth album by Helmet
, released in 2004 through Interscope. It is the first new album since the band ended with a bitter break up in 1998. Page Hamilton
, the band's founder and chief songwriter, is the only original member appearing on the album. Therefore, many purists object to it being called "Helmet" and consider it to be a Page Hamilton solo project. According to Hamilton, John Stanier
(drums) and Henry Bogdan
(bass) both declined the invitation to reunite.
Despite the purists' objections, the album carries on in the Helmet tradition with Hamilton's trademark staccato
sound. The album was recorded as a three-piece with John Tempesta
on drums and Chris Traynor
(guitarist on the Aftertaste
tour) on bass. After recording was done, bassist Frank Bello
was brought in so Traynor could return to guitar.
Size Matters had one single
in "See You Dead." The track "Throwing Punches" was also included on the film soundtrack for Underworld
, and "Crashing Foreign Cars" was featured in the video game Need For Speed: Underground 2
.
The Japanese release has two additional tracks: "Black Light" and "Just Like Me." These tracks, as well as "Smart" (a.k.a. "Opportunity"), "Enemies," and "Unwound," were originally recorded as Gandhi tracks, Page Hamilton's previous band.
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
, released in 2004 through Interscope. It is the first new album since the band ended with a bitter break up in 1998. Page Hamilton
Page Hamilton
Page Hamilton is a guitarist, singer and record producer, mostly noted for his work with alternative metal band Helmet...
, the band's founder and chief songwriter, is the only original member appearing on the album. Therefore, many purists object to it being called "Helmet" and consider it to be a Page Hamilton solo project. According to Hamilton, John Stanier
John Stanier (drummer)
John Stanier first came into the spotlight in 1989 as the drummer for the band Helmet. He is known for his speed, endurance, and precision as a performer....
(drums) and Henry Bogdan
Henry Bogdan
Henry Bogdan , is an American musician. He is perhaps best known as the original bass guitarist and a founding member of the alternative metal band, Helmet...
(bass) both declined the invitation to reunite.
Despite the purists' objections, the album carries on in the Helmet tradition with Hamilton's trademark staccato
Staccato
Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence...
sound. The album was recorded as a three-piece with John Tempesta
John Tempesta
John Tempesta is a heavy metal drummer who has worked several bands including: Exodus, Testament and White Zombie. He also played with former White Zombie singer Rob Zombie as a solo artist and served as drum technician for heavy metal band Anthrax earlier in his career...
on drums and Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
(guitarist on the Aftertaste
Aftertaste (album)
Aftertaste is the fourth album by Helmet, released in 1997 on Interscope. This proved to be Helmet's final album with original members John Stanier and Henry Bogdan . Guitarist Rob Echeverria, who appeared on Helmet's previous outing, Betty, left the group to join Biohazard...
tour) on bass. After recording was done, bassist Frank Bello
Frank Bello
Frank Bello is an American musician who plays bass guitar for the thrash metal band Anthrax. Originally he was a roadie and guitar technician for the band, but later he replaced Dan Lilker on the Spreading the Disease album. After leaving Anthrax in early 2004 Bello joined Helmet - another New...
was brought in so Traynor could return to guitar.
Size Matters had one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in "See You Dead." The track "Throwing Punches" was also included on the film soundtrack for Underworld
Underworld (2003 film)
Underworld is a 2003 action-horror film about the secret history of Vampires and Lycans . It is the first installment in the Underworld series. The main plot revolves around Selene , a vampire who is a Death Dealer hunting Lycans...
, and "Crashing Foreign Cars" was featured in the video game Need For Speed: Underground 2
Need for Speed: Underground 2
Need for Speed: Underground 2 is a cross-platform racing video game published and developed by Electronic Arts. Released in 2004, it is the direct sequel to Need for Speed: Underground, and is part of the Need for Speed series, available on Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance,...
.
Track listing
- "Smart" (Hamilton) – 3:44
- "Crashing Foreign Cars" (Hamilton/Nichelson/Tempesta/Traynor) – 2:31
- "See You Dead" (Hamilton) – 3:48
- "Drug Lord" (Hamilton) – 3:24
- "Enemies" (Clouser/Hamilton) – 5:00
- "Unwound" (Bjorkland/Conlin/Craig/Hamilton/Scheidel) – 4:12
- "Everybody Loves You" (Hamilton) – 3:27
- "Surgery" (Hamilton) – 3:14
- "Speak and Spell" (Clouser/Hamilton) – 3:31
- "Throwing Punches" (Clouser/Hamilton) – 3:44
- "Last Breath" (Hamilton/Tempesta/Traynor) – 3:03
The Japanese release has two additional tracks: "Black Light" and "Just Like Me." These tracks, as well as "Smart" (a.k.a. "Opportunity"), "Enemies," and "Unwound," were originally recorded as Gandhi tracks, Page Hamilton's previous band.
Singles
- "See You Dead", released in August 2004
- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
: Premiered on the Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
station KROQ-FMKROQ-FMKROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
and other stations. - United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
: Premiered on BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and other stations.
- United States
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Billboard 200 | 121 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "See You Dead" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 29 |
Personnel
- Page HamiltonPage HamiltonPage Hamilton is a guitarist, singer and record producer, mostly noted for his work with alternative metal band Helmet...
– GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Vocals - Chris TraynorChris TraynorChris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
– Guitar - Frank BelloFrank BelloFrank Bello is an American musician who plays bass guitar for the thrash metal band Anthrax. Originally he was a roadie and guitar technician for the band, but later he replaced Dan Lilker on the Spreading the Disease album. After leaving Anthrax in early 2004 Bello joined Helmet - another New...
– BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - John TempestaJohn TempestaJohn Tempesta is a heavy metal drummer who has worked several bands including: Exodus, Testament and White Zombie. He also played with former White Zombie singer Rob Zombie as a solo artist and served as drum technician for heavy metal band Anthrax earlier in his career...
– DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....