Page Hamilton has plenty in the works — just not, for now, a new HELMET record.
Speaking to Remzi "Jam Man" Yates of Rocking With Jam Man, the HELMET leader gave an update on a solo album he has been circling for years. "I am 70% done with my first solo album," he said, before laying out a release schedule that will keep him occupied well into 2028.
First up is a reissue. "I'm gonna re-release my 'Movie Music Vol. 1' album. Nile Rodgers's label that put it out went under, and my label, who I love, Edel/earMUSIC in Hamburg, is gonna release it hopefully before the end of the year. And then I'll finish the solo album."
The solo record has already drawn a heavyweight cast. "I had drummer John Tempesta, my dear friend from THE CULT, WHITE ZOMBIE, ROB ZOMBIE, who used to play in HELMET — he played on five tracks," Hamilton said. Also contributing is Matt Flynn, longtime drummer for MAROON 5, whom Hamilton describes as "a powerhouse" live. He is still working on bassist Pancho Tomaselli, formerly of WAR and of PHILM, the band Tomaselli ran with SLAYER's Dave Lombardo. "He's a fucking bass genius," Hamilton said.
There is a jazz album coming too. "I signed a one-album jazz deal with Edel as well. And that's a work in progress, so that won't be till 2028, assuming I live that long."
All of which pushes HELMET further down the queue. "HELMET, I don't know right now. I don't know if we'll do a new album for a while, 'cause I'm kind of focusing on these other things."
Hamilton previously discussed the solo LP with Q101's Lauren O'Neil, revealing the title — "Companion Peace" — and noting he was still deciding whether to spell the second word "peace" or "piece". He also made clear it is not a HELMET record by another name. "It's not accessible. There's no punk rock singalongs. It's music I'm really excited about."
The album grew out of his decades of film work — his guitar appears on the soundtracks to "Heat", "In Dreams", "Titus", "Across The Universe" and "Final Fantasy" — and out of a remark by composer Elliot Goldenthal. "He said, 'Your guitar is like an orchestra. You create these orchestral textures.' And it kind of made me think about that. And so this album is that. It's weird, but I'm really proud of it."
Hamilton credits his label with giving him room to make it. "The president said, 'I want you to do whatever you wanna do. Don't compromise.' And I'm like, 'Wow. How often do you hear that from a record label?'"
HELMET's most recent album, "Left", arrived in 2023 with 11 songs guided by Hamilton alongside co-producers Jim Kaufman and Mark Renk. Hamilton launched the band in 1989 after playing with avant-garde guitar icon Glenn Branca and BAND OF SUSANS, released debut "Strap It On" the following year, dissolved HELMET in 1997 and revived it in 2004.