UMUR
"Seeing Eye Dog" is the 7th full-length studio album by US hardcore/alternative metal act Helmet. The album was released in September 2010 through Work Song Incorporated. It´s the first album release in four years since the release of "Monochrome (2006)" and the 3rd album release since Helmet´s reformation in 2003.
The music on "Seeing Eye Dog" is unmistakably the sound of Helmet. For better or worse. The combination of raw angular post hardcore riffing, shouting and aggressive vocals and softer and more melodic alternative rock/metal elements is something Helmet have more or less perfected over the years. They´ve carved a niché for themselves and they actually have a rather unique sound. Lead vocalist Page Hamilton is probably an aquired taste with his often monotone and at times almost sedative clean vocal style but this vocal style combined with his more raw and aggressive type vocals have always sounded pretty good to my ears. It´s not completely unlike what Jaz Coleman does in Killing Joke.
While the band have their basic style nailed, it´s unfortunately always been so and so with highlights and "Seeing Eye Dog" is no different in that respect. The quality of all tracks is high, but I´m not able to remember many tracks after the album finishes. With only 10 tracks and a playing time of 37:41 minutes that should have been quite easy. It gets better the more spins you give the album, but the songs never truly stick.
...so in the end "Seeing Eye Dog" is a bit too much of a "by the numbers" Helmet album. It´s enjoyable, professionally produced and performed with conviction, but it doesn´t set standards like their early releases did. A 3 - 3.5 star rating is warranted.