Meantime was released in 1992 by Helmet though Interscope Records. It has been variously described as a post hardcore and alternative metal album.

This album was Helmet's introduction to a larger audience. While the band were never hugely successful commercially, the sound of this album (though similar to early Soundgarden), with Page Hamilton's staccato riffs, and jazz influenced chords and solos, were to prove influential to both post-grunge bands, and nu metal bands.

The song "In The Meantime" was recorded by Steve Albini, and later remixed by Andy Wallace. The vast contrast between Wallace's style of mixing, which involves, among other things, triggered samples (which lead to the album's distinctive snare drum sound) and Albini's style of recording left a bad taste in Albini's mouth - later, when in negotiations to record Nirvana's In Utero he stipulated a clause be added to his contract stating that Wallace would not be allowed to remix the album (Wallace had mixed Nevermind).

Table of contents
1 Track listing
2 Charting singles
3 Personnel

Track listing

  1. "In The Meantime" (P. Hamilton)
  2. "Ironhead" (P. Hamilton)
  3. "Give It" (P. Hamilton)
  4. "Unsung" (P. Hamilton)
  5. "Turned Out" (P. Hamilton)
  6. "He Feels Bad" (P. Hamilton)
  7. "Better" (P. Hamilton)
  8. "You Borrowed" (P. Hamilton)
  9. "FBLA II" (P. Hamilton)
  10. "Role Model" (P. Hamilton)

Charting singles

1992 Meantime     The Billboard 200           No. 68
1992 Meantime     Heatseekers                 No. 1
1992 Unsung       Mainstream Rock Tracks      No. 32
1992 Unsung       Modern Rock Tracks          No. 29

Personnel

  • Steve Albini - Recording, "In The Meantime"
  • Henry Bogdan - Bass
  • Page Hamilton - Guitar, Vocals
  • Peter Mengede - Guitar
  • Steve Sisco - Assistant Mix Engineer
  • John Stanier - Drums
  • Wharton Tiers - Recording
  • Andy Wallace - Mixing
  • Howie Weinberg - Mastering