Lord Helmet has been consistent and steadfast in their releases, and yet I think their new album Take Evasive Action could be their best. It takes some time, but it will weave itself inside your psyche. The album released on May 20th.
The band comes to us from Los Angeles. The lineup includes Adam Figura (ex-Sloth) on drums, and David Tomkins (ex-Shadow Principle) on vocals, bass, guitar, synth, and theremin. For just two of them, they make quite a bit of noise.
Lord Helmet started out as more of an alternative rock band with some progressive twists. Their second album leaned more into the prog sound, and this third record is full-blown progressive rock. The alternative edge is still there, but this album is far more angular and complex than their past works. So, while influences like A Perfect Circle, Incubus, and more are evident, they have travelled beyond those sounds to establish their own style.
I have to comment on David’s guitars, particularly. I’m seriously impressed with how complicated and varied they are. There’s plenty of alt edge and riffy madness, but many of the songs have a surging, reeling quality to them that betrays masterful control. In addition, he hits some truly epic solos that reveal their brilliance over time. Adam has always been an excellent drummer, and I feel like his beats and fills are more abstract and intricate this time, too, making for an album that often feels just shy of spiraling out of their grasp, but it never does.
I won’t go over every song, but they are all solid to great. The album is remarkably consistent from beginning to end, my favorites being strewn across the runtime. The opener “When the Land Meets the Sea” is instantly fantastic; the sense of urgency and unstoppable momentum makes this ten-minute piece feel much shorter. “Whole Again” is one of the singles, and I love how it contrasts lumbering rhythms with a smooth, nuanced chorus. I think “What You’re Saying Now” might be my favorite on the album with its bassy groove, dark sound, and strangely addictive chorus; I love the ethereal guitar soloing in the last few minutes.
The second half has some great tunes. “All Your Idols” has such a spacious, fluttering gait to it; I love how it flickers about before blasting into more elongated notes and very pleasing tones. “Come What May” has a nice headbang-worthy rhythm that leads to a hanging, commanding chorus that constantly gets stuck in my head. The album ends with “Beyond the Fire” which I confess to liking because of how cool the bass is. There is a muscular groove to this closer that cements it in my mind.
Lord Helmet are pretty underrated/underknown, and I think plenty of fans of progressive alt rock would fall in love with their sound. They may have something of a gimmicky name and artwork (which I love), but there is depth to their sound and chaos in their veins. Give it a try.
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The PROG Mind 