Pure Rage: Helmet, Local H play a cathartic, post-election gig at World Cafe Live

Helmet | photo by Joe Del Tufo / Moonloop Photography for WXPN | moonloopphoto.com

Last night saw a massive heavy double bill with 90s cult faves Local H and Helmet at World Cafe Live, of all places. The former came out roaring with their mix of punk and 90s grunge that set a high bar for energy and got the standing crowd moving. Vocalist/guitarist Scott Lucas was on point, ripping through favorites like “That’s What They All Say,” “High Fiving MF” and “Hands On The Bible.” Amazing sound for a two-piece and some of the best lighting I’ve seen in the venue.

Helmet was the main fare and not having seen them since 1992 (a co-bill with L7 at The Troc), I had no idea what to expect. Page Hamilton, the founder / vocalist / guitarist, is famously not your standard frontman for a metal band. He plays a very technical, mathematical jazz-influenced guitar sound that reminds me of classic Black Sabbath played by a Berklee alum with passive-aggressive issues.

Their main set was mainly highlights from their brand new release Dead To The World, an evolution of their trademark sound but still undeniably Helmet. New music played well gets you moving, and some of the tracks like “Red Scare,” “Dead To The World” and “Life or Death” did a nice job of that. But it was the classics, the riffing and bass punch of “Unsung,” played relatively early in the set, that got everyone locked in.

The encores were a treat and the takeaway for the night. Choosing to let the Philly crowd — who Hamilton raved about and called a second home  — dictate the 9 song encore was brilliant. Some of the tracks had not been played in years and Hamilton was not always his honed, analytical self. Even better for it, if you ask me. “Ironhead,” “Give It,” “FBLA,” “Speechless,” “Monochrome,” “Sam Hell,” “Roll,” “Crisis King” and the obligatory closer “Meantime” were a sonic assault. 45 minutes of blissful abuse, and a perfect tonic to the malaise of a cold shitty day in the aftermath of a dark election night.

Hamilton did not address that in detail but mentioned the small victory of just getting out of bed, and the need to drink which brought a surprising chattiness to his set. I think the weight of it all played into Helmet’s strength and gave a looser show than I was expecting. But it’s hard to leave with anything but the pure rage of the encores echoing into the night.