HELIX - WHITE LACE & BLACK LEATHER 12" Vinyl LP Album

In the sleazy, neon-lit underbelly of 1981, Helix, a band that could easily be mistaken for a pack of beer-swilling biker dudes, dropped a sonic bomb that shook the foundations of Canadian hard rock. "White Lace & Black Leather," their third studio album, was a defiant howl against conformity, a sweaty middle finger to the establishment, and an unfiltered testament to rock 'n' roll's primal power.

This wasn't some pretentious art project; it was raw, stripped-down, and unapologetically loud. The album's title alone, a potent symbol of sex and rebellion, set the tone for the sonic assault that was about to be unleashed. And unleashed it was, in a flurry of distorted guitars, pounding drums, and vocalist Brian Vollmer's raspy, whiskey-soaked roar.

From the opening chords of "Breaking Loose," the album was a relentless barrage of anthemic hard rock that refused to be ignored. The song, an ode to escaping the mundane and embracing the wild side, was a fist-pumping call to arms for every misfit, every rebel, every outsider who ever craved something more than the suffocating embrace of conformity. The album's tracklist, packed with hard-hitting rockers like "It's Too Late," "Hangman's Tree," and "Women, Whisky & Sin," cemented Helix's reputation as Canada's answer to AC/DC and solidified their place in the hearts of hard rock fans everywhere.

"White Lace & Black Leather" wasn't just about the music; it was a lifestyle, an attitude, a way of life. The album's cover art, featuring a menacing-looking snake, was a bold statement that left little to the imagination. It was a visual representation of the album's lyrical content, a celebration of hedonism, excess, and the pursuit of pleasure. The album's provocative imagery and the band's wild stage antics, including Vollmer's infamous snake dance, fueled the band's notoriety and cemented their status as rock 'n' roll outlaws.

The album's production, helmed by the legendary Tom Treumuth, was raw and unpolished, capturing the band's energy and intensity in all its unfiltered glory. Recorded at Phase One Studios in Toronto, the album's sound was a gritty mix of heavy metal and hard rock, with a touch of glam thrown in for good measure. Songs like "Mainline" and "Time For a Change" showcased the band's musical versatility, while still maintaining their signature raw power and unbridled energy.

But "White Lace & Black Leather" wasn't without its controversies. The album's explicit lyrics and provocative imagery raised more than a few eyebrows, with some critics accusing the band of promoting sexism and misogyny. However, Helix remained defiant, arguing that their music was simply a reflection of the times, a celebration of rock 'n' roll's rebellious spirit. Some fans embraced the band's unapologetic attitude, while others criticized their perceived misogynistic tendencies, creating a heated debate that only served to further fuel the band's notoriety.

Regardless of the controversies, "White Lace & Black Leather" remains a landmark album in Canadian hard rock history. It's a testament to the power of rock 'n' roll to shock, to provoke, to inspire, and to unite. It's an album that refuses to be tamed, an album that continues to resonate with fans around the world, and an album that proves that sometimes, the most powerful music comes from the darkest corners of the human soul. Its enduring legacy is a testament to its raw power, unbridled energy, and unapologetic attitude, making it a must-have for any self-respecting hard rock fan.

Helix's "White Lace & Black Leather" may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but it was undeniably a force to be reckoned with. It was an album that dared to be different, an album that pushed boundaries, and an album that left an indelible mark on the Canadian hard rock scene. And that, my friends, is what rock 'n' roll is all about.