This is the sixth album by US alternative rock band Helms Alee.
It turns out that a member of Helms Alee was in Harkonen. I loved 2002’s Shake Harder Boy, so it’s great to hear his work once more, albeit in an indirect altered fashion.
Keep This Be the Way is primarily an idiosyncratic mix of grunge, alternative metal, sludge rock, and pop sensibilities. Alongside this are touches of industrial, indie, post-metal and post-rock, and the experimental, avant-garde, and electronic styles. As such, Helms Alee are not your average band, and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve finally discovered their existence.
The songs are mostly short and all without filler, yet contain a multifaceted, textured approach to music that many bands would kill for. This is a rich and varied collection of songs, and the band combine influences and subgenres with ease. Each of the 10 tracks has its own distinct personality because of this, but still fit together holistically well enough to flow across the album’s 36 minutes.
Creative and adventurous, Keep This Be the Way is a journey into less explored waters. Every second of the album is imbued with a potent emotional presence, making listening to Helms Alee a constant delight.
All three band members contribute vocals, creating a vocal experience that’s as rich and varied as the rest of the music.
If the idea of a mix of bands such as Årabrot, Babes in Toyland, Grandaddy, Melvins, Faith No More, and Harkonen sounds intriguing, then you absolutely need to check out Keep This Be the Way.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 