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Size Matters Image
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The metal band returns after a seven-year recording hiatus with this new disc, produced by band leader Page Hamilton (the only original member here) with Jay Baumgardner and Charlie Clouser.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. The overall sound is a bit too polished and loses some of the raw power edge that previous albums rode to critical success.
  2. It isn't necessarily memorable, but as an exercise in measured, even artistic rage, it's classic Hamilton.
  3. Hamilton's vocals are occasionally plotted now with pronounced melodies, which is nice. But his strikingly affectless, prep-school delivery is abandoned in favor of a gritty, generic bark.
  4. It's awkward to witness such a gloriously thuggish monster vainly attempt the rope-a-dope.
  5. Q Magazine
    40
    A disappointing barrage of lethargic metal. [Dec 2004, p.137]
  6. Rolling Stone
    40
    The sludge is so overbearing that anyone born during the Eighties will wonder what once made them special. [28 Oct 2004, p.103]
  7. Despite Hamilton's grittiest vocals to date, Size Matters is inarguably watered-down and bland.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. patl
    Aug 1, 2005
    10
    it's band evolution, helmet sound with the right melody.
  2. michaeld
    Feb 9, 2005
    10
    I'm a long time Helmet fan and I think that this is a great, but minimal, agressive album. Never listen to what the critics say. Page I'm a long time Helmet fan and I think that this is a great, but minimal, agressive album. Never listen to what the critics say. Page Hamilton will still kick all of their asses. Expand
  3. Marc-O.N
    Jun 10, 2006
    9
    Kicking and aggressive opening track followed by another intense song then a couple of pretty enjoyable tracks!
  4. sanfordb
    Nov 6, 2004
    8
    i think this is a great album. it doesn't sound much like helmet's earlier material. it's closer to aftertaste. this album i think this is a great album. it doesn't sound much like helmet's earlier material. it's closer to aftertaste. this album sounds like it has a real failure influence. i like it a lot. i can understand why so many fans don't like it because it doesn't sound like meantime, but bands are supposed to change, right? it's a great heavy but melodic album, and i think it's one of the best albums of the year, so far. Expand
  5. DanW
    Oct 16, 2005
    8
    I think the critics are looking at the sound of the album back to front i.e. they're looking all the whole influx of Helemt influed I think the critics are looking at the sound of the album back to front i.e. they're looking all the whole influx of Helemt influed bands that emerged and then saying "hey the new Helemt records sounds like those guys and, so it's a tired sound"....HELMET INVENTED THAT SOUNDS YOU GOONS!!!!! I think the intention of the new material is to not be 'anti melody' as some of the earlier stuff perhaps was, but to combine 'old Helmet' - intensley spiky rythmns etc - with a natural band evolution (as someone Pat l rightly points outs) towards the sound that exist now. Expand
  6. F4b
    Jul 2, 2005
    8
    Why the hell critics are so bad?!?! Sure this is not Strap It On but is a nice and catchy return of one of the most influential band of the 90s.
  7. TomP
    Oct 9, 2006
    3
    I really really wanted to like this one. I was sadden that they broke up after Aftertaste and joyful when I heard they were back together. I really really wanted to like this one. I was sadden that they broke up after Aftertaste and joyful when I heard they were back together. For me, Aftertaste is an amazing CD. Size Matters is purely generic. Nothing special. After several rotations only the first song stands out at all and it would be a B side for any of their other CDs. So, pass very quickly. Stick with Meantime and Aftertaste and be thankful that Helmet gave metal 2 top tier CDs to worship. Expand

See all 9 User Reviews