Ever since Helmet made its major-label debut in 1992 with "Meantime" and its out-of-nowhere hit, "Unsung," the group has been perfecting its clean, brawny sound. The fact that Helmet is only outdone by Henry Rollins in the testosterone department means it's been welcomed by the narrowest of niches. "Aftertaste," due in stores Tuesday, anchors Helmet more firmly in its neo-metal groove.

Frontman Page Hamilton is one of the most widely-respected guitarists of his genre, and from his work on "Aftertaste" it's easy to see why. He's the master of the stacatto attack, turning "Renovation" into a sawblade bop and "Like I Care" into a slow, rhythmic crest of restraint. Still, it's refreshing to hear him let loose in the solo on "Pure," or in the practiced interplay between his guitar and Henry Bogdan's bass on "Diet Aftertaste."

Hamilton's vocals, however, leave something to be desired. He's got two modes -- deadpan and furious -- and stretches them to their limits over lyrics depicting hypocrisy, stupidity and power-tripping. While Hamilton's delivery befits his no-nonsense couplets, his emotional barrenness wears thin with lines like "If it helps you sleep at night/I'll tell you what you want to hear/And act like I care."

"Aftertaste" is carefully crafted for catharsis: even the silence between songs is clipped tightly, pummeling the listener with song after impenetrable song. But catharsis can only come when a band frees itself from limitation and goes for the gut, and Helmet continues to cling tightly to its safety net of indifference.

-- Beth Winegarner

This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.