This band caught my eye cuz I like the name. So of course I have to check them out, they have a new release coming out called "Sorry For Screaming", which again, forced me to listen to them, cuz its a great name as well. My name is Hellen so to speak and I love to scream so ..hey now gotta be good right?
First off there's a girl in the band which is the equivalent of having to grade on the bell curve.
Well, then death metal is pretty funny to begin with. Unlike hardcore theres not a growl and a clean vocal. Usually its the Linda Blair Satan voice almost unintelligible. Which is fine if the music can carry it. Most of the time it doesn't work for me at all. Its something to listen to to annoy people when they come in my office. Here's the tip if I hit the play button and this comes out, I'm subtly chasing you out.
So Hellen…Not horrible really but not exactly unique. I cant help but think vocalist/drummer Mindy is an Evanescence fan. She has the surreal sexpot thing going on that's rather cliche' but hell if your bustier can bust I say go for it. She has very pretty tones to her voice but well again, nothing worth stopping and pulling over the car for.
Ryan. Ryan is the saviour of this band. Guitar and vocal I hear way more talent coming from him then others. He shines, over the mediocrity. G'head with the "we're a group'', 'team' mentality but meh, this kid will out dazzle in no time. This is his stepping stone.
The music on their myspace really is not very diverse stick to the plan y'all stick to the plan. But they're worth an ear and they do have a new release coming out. Maybe they've matured, maybe they mix it up a bit so it has some sound change, maybe not. Maybe just check out Ryans guitar work.
Tracklist for Sorry For Screaming
(seriously why bother when you've heard of none of it?)
01. Intro
02. Let's Set It Off
03. Follow Me
04. Pony
05. There Goes My Head
06. HA HA
07. Belong
08. Slaughterhouse
09. It's Not Worth It
10. Dr Jekyll And Mrs. Fine
11. Bury Me Alive
02. Let's Set It Off
03. Follow Me
04. Pony
05. There Goes My Head
06. HA HA
07. Belong
08. Slaughterhouse
09. It's Not Worth It
10. Dr Jekyll And Mrs. Fine
11. Bury Me Alive
and a 'hidden bonus track', which seriously again… why bother if you've heard none of it?
lofty!
Still a cool name for band and lp..
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Andrew thank you for your comment- and I am certain you do lots of cool stuff or your fans would not be so passionate in defending!
We at rocknyc are impressed with the stance you and Ryan have taken. So many would have just blown it off or joined in. We cover alot of different genres here- I keep my mind open but writing opinions are why we are here.
I often wish fans would find creative ways to sway an opinion rather than bash for having opposite thoughts.
Id use it as an opportunity to sell you on why my fave band is my fave band. But thats just me.
Anyway I wish you and your band much success as you can see in this one forum you have fans willing to throw it down on your behalf- thank you for bringing clarity in to the discussion.
Ryan thank you. Not only are you a magnificent musician but you are extremely articulate. All the best to you in your future career. hel
I dunno if anyone will respond to this and if they do, then chances are, I’ll never see it. But I think all the Hellen fans need to relax on the writer of this review. Not everyone is gonna think Hellen is amazing and not everyone is gonna be charmed by Mindy’s dazzling performance. Just because this person isn’t a fan of the genre doesn’t mean that they can’t give out a real review. This is the chance to sway her opinion on the genre. I listen to all types of music and the genres I dislike I am always trying to find an artist that changes my opinion. And you guys are slandering this woman because she doesn’t like it? I find Mindy’s drum and vocal style very unique. Especially the screaming. But I definitely would not say they were diverse. They are a nu metal band to the core except maybe the vocals which are obviously influenced by other genres. I’m glad to see everyone defending Hellen (as I am the guitarist for Hellen) but all of you seem like the bully at school beating up the kid on the playground because he doesn’t like the same things as you. Metal is a comical genre, there is no denying. We try and take some of the comedy out because we too find it comical, but it’s not gonna please everyone. So chill out if someone doesn’t like it. It’s all opinion guys. And I would just like to say that while I completely disagree with the writer’s stance on Mindy, I am refreshed to see a review that at least acknowledges my existence and doesn’t write seven paragraphs about Mindy with little or no mention of Andrew and myself. I’m not saying that just because I was called the savior of the band either. Although that was kinda cool. I’m not gonna lie.
There still is no mention of me. It’s okay though. I don’t do anything cool anyways. I also would like to second Ryan’s post and, as a member of the band, say I’m sad to see such belligerence. Don’t demean someone’s intelligence just because they don’t agree with you. No matter the circumstance.
Ryan and Andrew are AWESOME. Any one who sees Hellen knows it. The press do not write “what Mindy wants” I am sure. This writer was the bully, as she started off with personal attacks on Mindy. Not about the music but personal stuff. Example one:” First off there’s a girl in the band which is the equivalent of having to grade on the bell curve”. Is that fair? Example two “She has the surreal sexpot thing going on that’s rather cliche’ but hell if your bustier can bust I say go for it.”
HELLEN’s CD was properly reviewed by a major metal website three days ago. They called it “Schizophrenic metal with melody and heart. Unique and a must have!” They gave it 5 out of 5 stars!
Really impressive considering the huge array of other artists reviewed on the site. Details on Hellen’s site.
This is something I have never seen on a successful website..The actual staff is chirping in on the comments. One pretending to be Britsh too? Oh Imam, for shame. Well, I gotta go…I have to review a lung transplant surgery for the “New England Journal of Medicine” I’ve never been in an operating room (or seen a live operation before), but hey ROCK NYC is accepting applications for associate editors. “Stick to the plan y’all stick to the plan”
A person submitting this review would have received a failing grade from any college level or even high school level journalism instructor. Anyone who reads the review will see it right away by the content. Here’s the equivalent of this review: ….. “Hey dudes, so it’s hellen, whatever, check it out if you want..i mean theres a girl in it and she looks better than me, so I better put her down, she’s a sexpot dudes, and um it’s cliche, and the guitarist is a star tho dudes, yeah, and but seriously no ones heard it, ya know what im saying? Bustier yor busto dudes, I mean go for it, a bonus track far out, but seriously dudes no one’s heard it, G’head dudes, it’s not horrible so check it out or maybe not dudes.””
Hey first responder, you are hilarious! You got this chick pegged! I can’t believe this website put that drivel up here!! Did you read those other people’s comments to me? What’s wrong with people??
The reviewer didn’t do her homework. She presupposes the bands genre incorrectly right off the bat. Even within the context of the CD itself there are vast genre—skipping dichotomies. “There goes my head” would never be found on a normal “metal album” Nor would “Bury me alive”. Every song is very different. So by that simple example the music “is” unique. She admits her interest extends to no more than the groups name and its similarity to her own? She admits thinking the genre is “funny.” Is that the right person for this task? She even starts off with the insult of a “bell-curve” (Does that bell curve extend to her profession as well?) She labels the drummer/ singer a “sexpot” based on her looks? (I guess that’s what she’s doing) I don’t believe this reviewer has ever seen a HELLEN performance! If she had she would have seen the crowd’s reaction and she would have seen the incredible team –effort that IS this band. Mindy is an incredible performer and I cannot think of another drummer/lead vocalist like her…anywhere. Again “UNIQUE”
The people of the northeast are entitled to a reasonable analysis of the CD. It’s her right or anyones to not like the CD, but her actual reasons are astonishing! This is not the starting point of healthy analysis. It is the place of cheap commentary. The website should be ashamed of this low standard.
isnt the phrase “case IN point”, not case AND point?
Now THAT is as pedantic of a comment as I’ve ever seen. You have nothing to say about the CD, nothing to say about the review of the CD, nothing to say about the content of any of the comments. All you did was comment to point out a minor error in the phrase I used. Why comment at all then?? You offered nothing worthwhile or insightful. But thanks anyway for setting me straight. I know everyone would hate to see me continue to go through life with such a major misconception about an extremely important phrase. I salute you. Now get a life!!!
is it me or did the review trying to tell the commentor that they should be writing positive stuff to help the band? Wouldnt it have been more helpful to the band to not have written such a weak review??????????? cant tell what is going on w this person.
it’s you
Helen, are you kidding me? You clearly have no idea what you are talking about! Obviously youy have not listen thoroughly to the entire CD nor are you even qualified to critically evaluate heavy metal music. I’ve been listening to heavy metal fanatically for 25 years and I’ve heard it in all it’s forms. Some is good, much is not. THIS band and THIS CD are incredible. Not unique? Seriously, Helen, you embarrass yourself! They are totally unique because there is not a band or set of bands you can compare their sound to, it’s a sound all their own. Not to mention that they do not specifically fit into any one sub-genre of metal. Saying Hellen is not unique is actually just another way of calling yourself musically mucsically ignorant, which I do not fault you for. I DO fault you for writing this review (quite poorly written I might add) when you are in no way qualified to review a metal band. Also, you have called yourself out for having no recognition of talent. While everything you said you said about Ryan is true, he is NOT the savoir of the band. How could you make that conclusion just based on the little bits you heard? Mindy is a superstar who steals every show with her stage presence (I’ve seen them live at least 30 or more times). She is the heart and soul of the band and her talent drives this band forward. In conclusion, since life has not taught you this so far, if you don’t know shit about something, then keep your mouth shut about it or you end up looking stupid (case and point, your review).
What a pedantic plank you are…
sod off you wanker
iman
Hey Wanker, do YOU know what pedantic means, you freakin’ retard?? It means overly concerned with small details and formalities. I actually commented on the main, general points in this review by addressing her ascertion that the band is not unique and that Ryan carries the band with his talent. There was nothing pedantic about my comments. Try learning the meaning of words that are too big for you before you use them incorrectly and make yourself look like even more of a dumbass than you already are. By the way, a plank is a flat piece of wood. You’re a real piece of work, idiot!
Hey Wanker, look at what Fran Sansisco said. If you had any understanding at all of the meaning of the word pedantic, you would see that her comment is truly as pedantic as it gets.
I understand your feelings and I love when fans defend bands they like. I can take the hit – its part of the job. What you should do though is take a second to give the band a positive review right here.
Every up and coming band needs as much publicity as possible. This would be a great opportunity to offer your opinions and good vibes on their work. That way the next person who finds this tiny post will see 2 sides of the story and form a more fair opinion. Rather than just thinking Im an ass(which I totally can be at times)
Always always stand up for the music you like- otherwise were all going to get buried in Beiber and then life is no longer worth living.
Thanks for jumping in
Be well.
Hellen is not “Death Metal” In fact, I believe they consider themselves rock/metal. So being a female in a band means a “bell curve”? So being both the lead vocalist and the drummer (at age 18) while playing a very aggressive and demanding genre is not considered “unique” to you? How many are those in the valley? West coast? Nation? World? I’ll bet you haven’t seen them live ether. And you write this twice “Why bother if you’ve heard none of it” Is that suppose to be clever? Does this mean you only like music you have heard before? Maybe you don’t even know why the bonus track is there? People have given heat to Hellen FOR being too diverse, and here you say they are “not very diverse”. Nice that you like Ryan, as everyone should. Same goes for Andrew as well, The guy is great too. One has to wonder under what circumstances you even got a hold of their CD. (If you actually even did!)
Bottom line: The review is intellectually dishonest and it’s obvious.
OMG Shamefully weak “review” coming from a person who admits they don’t even like the genre! You are clearly unqualified to review music “HELEN BACH” as you have and show no insight. No mention that the drummer is playing and singing at the same time? (not unique)? No mention of the bassist?, And…Evanescence? They happen to show more diversity than almost any Metal band out there! Cool that you like Ryan though.