Alive and Kicking

Helmet, Bison B.C., Will Haven

Harlow’s – Sacramento, Calif. – Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010
Words by Bobby S. Gulshan

As promised on the flyer, Grady Avenell has indeed returned to vocals, and the local faithful flocked to Harlow’s for Will Haven. Some call it metalcore, or post-hardcore, but Will Haven’s particular brand of bombast proves too elusive for quick categorization. Opening with “I‘ve Seen My Fate,” the dual guitar attack combined with keyboard atmospheres and driving rhythmic breakdowns conspired to create a steady sonic barrage. Avenell’s searing screams hammered the point deeper. With his back often to the audience, Avenell and the rest of Will Haven tore through their set with high-energy physicality, head banging in lockstep with one another. Songs such as “Helena” and “Carpe Diem” displayed the straightforward appeal of Will Haven’s approach.

Their music relies on power and heaviness coupled with a driving rhythmic intensity. Tonally, the riffs were almost monochromatic, with guitarist Jeff Irwin providing occasional hints of color with high-pitched staccato runs. Closing with “Stick up Kid,“ the band displayed its full physical force, finishing up a blistering set of six songs that left the hometown crowd hungry for more.

Hailing from the Great White North, Bison B.C. took the stage in the second slot. On tour with Helmet in support of their new LP, Dark Ages, the Canadian metal outfit added classic thrash-style riffs to a night of hardcore punishment. The guys themselves look like modern primitives, as if they wandered out of the same deep forest as the mythical Wendigo, which they reference in one of their more epic tunes. James Farwell and Dan And provide guitars and vocals, one singing with a characteristic death metal growl, and the other providing a cleaner vocal on more melodic sections. As drummer Brad McKinnon told me after the show, “When I first heard Dio all those years ago, it hit a place, and it’s been metal ever since.” Indeed. Bison B.C. fills their sonic space with complex riffs and blistering solos, as well as hardcore breakdowns. “Slow Hand of Death” displayed Bison’s ability to combine thrashing riffs with off-kilter time signatures, moving seamlessly into a galloping melodic section, and then returning to churning extended breakdowns. “Wendigo Pt.1” featured both guitarists locked in harmonies that evoked one part Slayer, one part Iron Maiden. However, the development of the songs–particularly the ability to transition from a blast beat to an extended break with ease–is signature Bison. The Harlow’s audience seemed a bit unprepared for this metal onslaught, but showed their appreciation nonetheless.

Turning 50 doesn’t seem to have slowed Page Hamilton. By the time Helmet took the stage, Harlow’s was packed and surging, and the seemingly ageless Hamilton did not disappoint. He told the audience that he was supposed to be on a juice diet, and then promptly took a swig from his Corona. Hamilton played to the audience, constantly engaging them with wit and charm. At one point between songs, Hamilton brought up the subject of football, taking a quick shot at the Pittsburgh Steelers by pointing out that “their quarterback is a rapist.”

Helmet’s classic album Meantime was released in 1992. While new tunes still bear the signature of Hamilton’s “glory days,” nothing sounds dated. Helmet has mastered extended breakdowns, utilizing various downtuned and detuned setups to create deep, heavy tones. The almost mechanical rhythms are persistent and stark, while the start-and-stop nature of the riffs keep bodies moving with an internal groove. Hamilton’s clear vocal melodies are somewhat refreshing in an age where the growl has become the lingua franca of hardcore and metal. Yet the riffs and breakdowns are as hard as anything out there. Old tracks like “Ironhead” and “Role Model” blended perfectly with new material, like the title track of the new album, “Seeing Eye Dog” and “So Long.” The show, of course, would not be complete without a performance of “Unsung,” which jolted the crowd into a frenzied sing-along with Hamilton. The back and forth with the audience continued during the encore when Hamilton asked the audience to pick three songs. “Black Top,” “In the Meantime” and “I Know” finished off the show, as requested by the fans. For a band that hasn’t toured in some time, Helmet and Hamilton have not lost a step, and all indications point to a long and hard-hitting future for the hardcore legend.