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Monochrome
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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Monochrome Image
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second release for the second incarnation of Helmet, which features frontman Page Hamilton backed by a new rhythm section.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Pitchfork
    63
    What matters most is, with Monochrome, Helmet is back to doing what they do best.
  2. The New York Times
    60
    It’s the sound the band became known with: big guitars playing suspended chords, crisp drums, barked verses and carefully sung choruses. [17 Jul 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Alternative Press
    60
    Monochrome is marred by Hamilton's vocals. [Sep 2006, p.218]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Drowned In Sound
    50
    With Monochrome, Hamilton seems to have realised that stepping away from the majors and their requisite studio production sludge can only be a good thing. Now, if he can find a new direction to blaze in rather than re-tread thrice-covered ground, he may be on to something.
  5. Stylus Magazine
    42
    For the most part, songs lumber along with little forward motion.
  6. PopMatters
    30
    The band has reached its absolute nadir on Monochrome, which commits the cardinal sin of any music: it is freaking boring.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. LucasM
    Aug 18, 2006
    10
    Helmet are back to their best with this new line up and more aggresive vocals from frontman Page Hamilton.
  2. tomo
    Aug 23, 2006
    7
    This is pretty good. Better than anything since Betty. Played like they mean it...it's been a while!
  4. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    7
    I'm a huge Helmet fan, so maybe I had unreasonable expectations. This is a good album, but not on the level of previous efforts. I'm a huge Helmet fan, so maybe I had unreasonable expectations. This is a good album, but not on the level of previous efforts. Page's voice has always been an acquired taste, but I used to really enjoy it. He has changed his vocal style on many of the tracks on Monochrome, sounding like any other generic metal warbler. Helmet has been an influence on countless bad metal bands over the years, but the influence seems to be bouncing back in the other direction. Not a good thing. That being said, this album shows there is still a lot of life in Page and Co. and hopefully, something in the future will give excellent albums, like Meantime or Aftertaste a run for their money.… Expand
  5. StevenG
    Sep 6, 2006
    6
    While I'm always excited to hear new Helmet, the last two albums (Size Matters & Monochrome) have been somewhat of a letdown. There are While I'm always excited to hear new Helmet, the last two albums (Size Matters & Monochrome) have been somewhat of a letdown. There are a few good tunes, but Page's vocals feel a little bit forced and the lyrics seem uninspired.… Expand
  6. kccputech
    Jan 12, 2011
    6
    The music in Monochrome is what you'd expect from a Helmet album, but the singing not so much. Not sure if the notes were out of his range orThe music in Monochrome is what you'd expect from a Helmet album, but the singing not so much. Not sure if the notes were out of his range or what, but it turned me off of this album.… Collapse
  7. MathR
    Aug 23, 2006
    5
    Leagues above Size Matters, yet nothing much compared to the early years of the band. Page's voice is on its way out, too. Still, I Leagues above Size Matters, yet nothing much compared to the early years of the band. Page's voice is on its way out, too. Still, I commend his drive to get back to what made Helmet matter in the first place.… Expand

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