Seattle's Helms Alee has just released their second album album on Hydrahead, Weatherhead. A preview track, called “8/16,” and the kick off track “Elbow Grease” progress in lurching leaps without redundancy. In light of the June 21st release, we thought a comparison with Helms Alee's Hydrahead debut, Night Terror could be helpful.
While on Night Terror, the three singers alternate between tracks, on these two preview tracks, they alternate singing responsibilities on each track, and when they're not alternating, they're perfectly harmonizing. The new tracks explore teleologically: the tracks build strategically and purposefully toward an devastating and predictable outcome. On Night Terrors, however, the tracks, while compelling, don't compel the audience to arrive at anywhere they can anticipate. On a “A New Road,” for example the initial vocals suggest the track will continue in a post-hardcore tradition; her final vocals offers an unanticipatedly soothing resolution.
Any room for improvement over Night Terror appears to be resolved with Weatherhead, if these two tracks are and example: more dialog between vocalists, less predictable transitions and outcomes, and crushing weight balanced by melodic levity: The new tracks suggest that Night Terror was an alluring invitation and that Weatherhead will be the real party.
