Let’s talk about Helmet, a band that didn’t just flirt with heavy music—they dragged it into the alley, roughed it up, and sent it back out transformed. With razor-sharp riffs, an industrial groove, and enough aggression to power a demolition derby, Helmet carved their own niche in the ’90s alt-metal landscape. But which albums stand tallest in their legacy? Let’s break it down.

3. Aftertaste (1997)

Polished but still brimming with existential angst, Aftertaste is the sound of Helmet tightening their already surgical precision. Tracks like “Pure” and “Exactly What You Wanted” feel like they’re slicing through your psyche, balancing melodic hooks with the kind of crunch that makes your speakers beg for mercy. It’s Helmet grappling with their own evolution, a sonic journey that’s as haunting as it is heavy.

2. Meantime (1992)

Ah, Meantime. The breakout album that didn’t just knock on the door of mainstream success—it kicked it down, stomped inside, and cranked “Unsung” at full volume. This is the album where Helmet refined their formula: syncopated riffs, pounding drums, and a relentless intensity that makes every track feel like a gut punch. “In the Meantime” isn’t just a song—it’s a manifesto for a new kind of heavy.

1. Betty (1994)

And then there’s Betty, the album that dared to ask, “What if we mix jazzy detours, off-kilter rhythms, and Helmet’s trademark heaviness into one record?” The result? Pure genius. From the opening riff of “Wilma’s Rainbow” to the hypnotic groove of “Milquetoast,” Betty is a masterclass in controlled chaos. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s Helmet at their creative zenith.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be simultaneously pummeled and uplifted by music, Helmet’s top three albums are your answer. Aftertaste gives you introspection, Meantime delivers pure fury, and Betty blends it all into a beautifully twisted masterpiece.