Album: Aftertaste.

Release date: March 18, 1997.

Track: 6.

Mood: Jump and mosh, motherfuckers, there’s no tomorrow.

Aftertaste is a tricky album in Helmet’s discography. I’m on the fraction of their fandom that likes the album, and they were on my bucket list of bands to catch live.

It wasn’t until 2007 that I had a chance. Helmet came to Mexico to the now closed La Victoria for two gigs. It was a great show and Page Hamilton stuck around for a long while to catch up with fans. I half-joked saying that they missed Birth Defect. Page said “come tomorrow and we’ll play it just for you.”

I thought he was joking, but he kept the promise. He saw me in the public, pointed at me and winked. They rocked out that song like there was no tomorrow and I jumped like I’ve never have in a mosh pit. I sang, terribly, during the chorus, at the top of my lungs. “I’d rather be insulted by you than someone I respect”. I approached Page Hamilton by the end of the gig, thanked him, and got a couple of booklets signed.

When I first heard Helmet’s amazing Milktoast/Milquetoast in The Crow’s gateway soundtrack, I got hooked, and never imagined I would see them live, much less talk with Page Hamilton. Some times life gives you a good surprise.

—Sam J. Valdés López