Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991-1997) is a compilation album of Helmet in its original form, consisting of vocalist guitarist Page Hamilton, bassist Henry Bogdan, drummer John Stanier, and guitarists Peter Mengede (1989–1993) and Rob Echeverria (1994–1996). It was released on January 27, 2004. The title states the years 1991–1997, presumably because 1991 is the year that Interscope rereleased Strap It On; however, it was first released in 1990 on Amphetamine Reptile Records.
The compilation was originally scheduled to be released in late 2003, with tentative release dates of September 23, 2003, and then November 4, 2003 being given to the press. When the compilation was first announced on August 22, 2003, it was reported that the band’s original lineup would be reuniting for a tour in conjunction with the compilation’s release. However, later that month, Hamilton denied reports that Helmet were reuniting. By the time the compilation was eventually released in January 2004, the band had reformed with a mostly new lineup, and work had begun on an Helmet album, Size Matters, which would be released later that year.
Tracklist:
- Repetition Strap It On
- FBLA Strap It On
- Bad Mood Strap It On
- Sinatra Strap It On
- In the Meantime Meantime
- Ironhead Meantime
- Give It Meantime
- Unsung Meantime
- Better Meantime
- Just Another Victim (Helmet and House of Pain – Judgment Night soundtrack (1993)
- Wilma’s Rainbow Betty
- I Know Betty
- Milquetoast Betty
- Rollo Betty
- Overrated Betty
- Disagreeable (Feeling Minnesota soundtrack)
- Pure – Aftertaste
- Renovation Aftertaste
- Like I Care Aftertaste
- Driving Nowhere Aftertaste
- Exactly What You Wanted
Credits
Henry Bogdan: bass guitar
Page Hamilton: guitar, vocals
John Stanier: drums
Peter Mengede: guitar (tracks 1–9)
Rob Echeverria: guitar (tracks 11–16)
