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HELLEVATE "Killicon Valley"
HELLEVATE "Killicon Valley"
By Dr. Abner Mality
Last time I ran into Kansas City's HELLEVATE, I was none too impressed with their EP "The Purpose Is Cruelty". But I could detect some seeds there that just might be able to sprout into something cool. Well, I'm glad to say that is pretty much what has happened on their new full-length "Killicon Valley".
The previous record was very groove oriented. That hasn't disappeared completely, but HELLEVATE have gone for the jugular a lot more on "Killicon Valley". This is much more of an all-out thrash attack and the increased influence from SLAYER, ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL is noticeable from the jump with the ferocious one-two punch of "D.T.C."/"In The Long Grass" which levels everything in sight. Singer Robert Browne has improved a lot, with a very pissed-off yelp that sometimes sounds absolutely deranged, as on "Demagogue" and "Holy Man". I also like the snappy old-school production here.
"Killicon Valley" is very long for a thrash album, with 12 tracks and over an hour of mayhem. Honestly, this would have been better with 10 tracks and 8 to 10 minutes less. I would have ditched the groove infected "Holy Man", which is too much like their past material, and the METALLICA-cloning ballad "The Lost Pages", which is almost a straight lift of "Fade To Black" or "Sanitarium". Focus on the really raging stuff, like the EXODUS-style rager "Thou Shalt Kill" or the hard driving "Invoke Apocalypse" instead...that's where HELLEVATE's strength lies.
It's good to see a band improve. If HELLEVATE's next album continues the improvement, these guys could be ready to join ENFORCED or HIGH COMMAND as new thrash royalty.
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