Influential alternative rock pioneers HELMET have announced the addition of guitarist Dan Beeman to the group's ranks. Beeman replaces the band's most recent axeman, Jimmy Thompson, who reportedly decided to move back to his native Australia at the end of 2007.

In a recent interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, HELMET mainman Page Hamilton stated about Dan, "He is from Minneapolis and his . . . brother Pete is the drummer in BURNING BRIDES who toured with us [before]. Dan knew all of us in HELMET and loved the music of HELMET and had just moved to Los Angeles a couple of months before we auditioned him. So it just worked out great for him and for us too. So we're really fortunate."

When asked if there has been any progress when it comes to putting down ideas for the next HELMET album, Hamilton said, "No. I've been busy working on jazz tunes. I've written four songs since the last tour ended but they're for this movie I'm working on. It has been nice though as I like to clear out the old palette and do other things. HELMET put two albums out in 18 months, 'Size Matters' [2004] and 'Monochrome' [2006], so I think the next album has got to wait. I'm planning to sit down and write a couple songs in March but that is assuming I can get on a role before we head out to Australia. But we probably won't get an album out until the end of the year."

During the same interview, Page was also asked if it was still his intention to do "two more HELMET records and then move, as he had stated in a previous interview, "Yes, I think so," he replied. "I hope I can do two more albums and that there is also interest on the touring front. But as long as we can go play shows and people come out to them and I feel good about what we're doing, then we'll do it. Realistically, I'm thinking of two more albums after 'Monochrome' as in two years I'll be fifty years old. So I'm thinking will I be capable? It is very physically demanding and people kind of under estimate the energy you have to put out to play this music. And I don't to go out and do a half-assed job. So as long as I can maintain that high level and still feel great, I'll think about doing it."

HELMET 2008 is:

Page Hamilton (Vocals & Guitar)
Dan Beeman (Guitar)
Jon Fuller (Bass)
Kyle Stevenson (Drums)

Upcoming HELMET shows:

Mar. 13 - Red Seven - Austin, Texas
Mar. 14 - Viper Room - Austin, Texas
Mar. 15 - The Playground - Park City, Utah
Apr. 17 - Canes Bar and Grill - San Diego, California
Apr. 18 - Key Club - Hollywood, California
Apr. 24 - Coolangata Hotel - Gold Coast
Apr. 25 - Great Northern Hotel - Byron Bay
Apr. 26 - Hoey & Moey - Coffs Harbour, Australia
Apr. 30 - Gaelic Club - Sydney, Australia
May 01 - Uni Bar - Wollongong, Australia
May 02 - Anu Bar - Canberra, Australia
May 03 - Hi Fi Bar - Melbourne, Australia
May 04 - Fowler’s - Adelaide, Australia

HELMET's new song "Revenge Destroys Everything" has been posted on the group's MySpace page. The track was featured in legendary comic book creators Paul Jenkins (Wolverine Origin, Frontlines) and Rob Prior's (Spawn The Impaler, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV show, EFX) new original motion picture "Tatua".

HELMET's video for the song "Money Shot" can be viewed on Google Video. The track comes off the group's latest album, "Monochrome", which was released in July 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Size Matters" was co-produced by Wharton Tiers, who recorded the band's first two releases, "Strap It On" and "Meantime".

Watch fan-filmed video footage of HELMET performing "In The Meantime" on September 14, 2007 at The Sets in Tempe, Arizona: