HELLEVATE: zweite Single vom neuen Thrash Metal Album „Killicon Valley“ aus Kansas – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Kansas-based thrash metal band HELLEVATE has released a second single from its forthcoming album, using the track to deliver a pointed critique of Silicon Valley’s influence on everyday life. The video for “Killicon Valley (Silicon Dust)” follows an earlier lyric video for “In the Long Grass” and arrives just ten days before the full record drops on May 22. Frontman Robert Browne frames the song as a response to rising costs, disrupted careers, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative work. The band’s approach blends classic thrash aggression with lyrics that question who truly benefits from rapid technological change.
A Direct Message Through Heavy Riffs
Browne’s words in the new single cut straight to the heart of public frustration with big tech. He describes industry leaders who have driven up prices, reshaped countless jobs, and secured access to sensitive government systems. The result, he argues, includes cluttered news feeds filled with misinformation and tools that let unskilled users produce art without real effort, all while straining the environment. The track does not offer solutions but instead captures the sense that ordinary people bear the costs of these shifts.
Listeners familiar with HELLEVATE’s earlier work will recognize the same raw energy, now channeled into commentary on current events. The video itself keeps the focus on performance, letting the lyrics land without distraction. In a genre often built on fantasy or rebellion, the band has chosen a target that feels immediate and shared by many outside metal circles.
Production and Visual Details for the New Record
Guitarist Joshua Cole handled mixing and mastering for the entire album, giving the band a consistent sonic stamp. Artist Mario López created the cover artwork, which will accompany the twelve-track collection when it arrives later this month. The project marks another step forward for the group, which continues to build its catalog while staying rooted in Kansas.
With the release date so close, the band has already shared one additional preview in the form of the “In the Long Grass” lyric video. Fans can expect the same direct style across the record, where each song explores different facets of power, belief, and resistance.
Full Track Listing for Killicon Valley
- D.T.C.
- In the Long Grass
- Invoke Apocalypse
- Demagogue
- The Rampart
- Holy Man
- Jorogumo
- Part of the Tribe
- Killicon Valley (Silicon Dust)
- The Lost Pages
- Thou Shalt Kill
- Curse God and Die
Who Makes Up HELLEVATE Today
The current lineup brings together longtime members and newer additions who have shaped the band’s sound over recent years. Robert Browne handles vocals, while guitar duties fall to Dan Whitmer and Joshua Cole. Zack Burke plays bass, and Ruben Lopez rounds out the rhythm section on drums. Together they deliver the tight, aggressive playing that defines the group’s thrash foundation.
As the album launch approaches, the band’s decision to speak plainly about technology’s downsides sets this release apart from typical metal promotions. Whether the message resonates beyond core fans remains to be seen, yet the timing ensures the conversation will continue well after May 22.
