Helmet is an Americanalternative metal band fromNew York City,New York. Formed in 1989, the group originally featured guitarist and vocalistPage Hamilton, guitaristPeter Mengede, bassistHenry Bogdan and drummerJohn Stanier.[1] The group released its debut albumStrap It On in 1990, followed byMeantime in 1992 onInterscope Records.[1] Due to increased tensions with frontman Hamilton, Mengede was fired from the band on February 17, 1993.[2] After his dismissal, the guitarist went on to form the supergroupHandsome.[3] Rob Echeverria was enlisted to perform on the 1994 albumBetty, although he also left the band in 1996 to joinBiohazard.[4] Helmet recordedAftertaste as a three-piece, with Hamilton performing all guitars.[1] After touring with formerOrange 9mm guitaristChris Traynor,[1] the band broke up in 1998.[5]
In 2003, it was announced that Helmet had reformed with bassistRob "Blasko" Nicholson and drummerJohn Tempesta joining Hamilton and Traynor.[6] A spokesperson for Hamilton later debunked the news, but noted that Hamilton and Traynor were working on an unidentified project.[7] In early 2004 the Helmet reformation was officially announced, with recently formerAnthrax bassistFrank Bello and Tempesta joining the group.[8] Bello left to return to Anthrax in early 2005, withJeremy Chatelain taking his place for remaining tour dates.[9] Tempesta left in early 2006 to joinThe Cult,[10] with Mike Jost taking his place a few months later.[11] In September, more lineup changes were announced as both Traynor and Jost left the group.[12] New additions Kyle Stevenson (drums) and Jon Fuller (bass) were announced the following month, which also marked Chatelain's departure.[13] Jimmy Thompson took Traynor's place later, although only remained with the band until late 2007 before being replaced by Dan Beeman the following February.[14]
Helmet returned with new studio albumSeeing Eye Dog in 2010, which featured a returning Traynor on bass;[15] Dave Case was officially announced as the group's new touring bassist around the same time.[16] The band released its eighth studio albumDead to the World in 2016, which was the first to feature Case.[17]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Page Hamilton |
|
| allHelmet releases |
 | Kyle Stevenson | 2006–present |
|
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 | Dan Beeman | 2008–present |
|
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 | Dave Case | 2010–present |
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| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Bogdan | 1989–1998 | bass |
| |
 | John Stanier | drums | ||
| Peter Mengede | 1989–1993 | rhythm guitar |
| |
| Rob Echeverria | 1993–1996 |
| ||
 | Chris Traynor |
|
|
|
.png) | John Tempesta | 2004–2006 | drums | Size Matters (2004) |
 | Frank Bello | 2004–2005(touring only) |
| none |
 | Jeremy Chatelain | 2005–2006(touring only) | Seeing Eye Dog (2010) –Live at Warped Tour bonus disc only | |
| Mike Jost | 2006 | drums |
| |
| Jon Fuller | 2006–2010(touring only) | bass | Seeing Eye Dog (2010) – bonus USB key live albums only | |
| Jimmy Thompson | 2006–2007 | rhythm guitar | Seeing Eye Dog (2010) –Live in Detroit bonus USB key live album only | |
 | Rob De Luca | 2006(substitute) |
| none– replaced Fuller who was refused entry into Canada[18] |
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1989 – February 1993 |
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| 1993–1996 |
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| Mid-1996 – early 1997 |
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| Early 1997 – early 1998 |
| none– live performances only |
| Band inactive 1998–2004 | ||
| March – June 2004 |
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| June 2004 – April 2005 |
| none– live performances only |
| June 2005 – February 2006 |
| |
| May – September 2006 |
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| October – late 2006 |
| none– rehearsals only |
| Late 2006 – late 2007 |
|
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| February 2008 – June 2010 |
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| June 2010 – present |
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