{"id":322445,"date":"2025-10-22T00:11:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T00:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/322445\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T00:11:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T00:11:16","slug":"exelerate-hell-for-the-helpless-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/322445\/","title":{"rendered":"Exelerate \u2013 Hell for the Helpless Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"After dropping their self-titled debut in 2023, Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> returns with their patented twist of power thrash to unleash Hell for the Helpless. This cross-genre hybrid takes the speed and wiolence of thrash and marries it with the upbeat and anthemic buoyancy of power metal. Megadeth<\/strong> and Dio<\/strong> are listed as primary influences, but I hear more recent Flotsam & Jetsam<\/strong><\/a>, Unleash the Archers<\/strong><\/a> and Iced Earth<\/strong><\/a>. Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> skewed heavily toward thrash on their debut, but they tone down the aggression to embrace power metal swagger on Hell for the Helpless. While they continue to flex technical chops and guitar wizardry, the speed and flamboyance of Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> take a back seat this go round. Perhaps this is to put a finer point on their new album\u2019s concept, which is billed as an exploration of adverse mental states and the capacity to overcome through healing and understanding. It\u2019s a noble position, and one I believe could connect with listeners, but does the reformulation help Hell for the Helpless cross the finish line, or do they take the foot off the Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong>r and run out of gas?<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, concept albums are comprised of an interconnectedness between songs that transcends face value. At the risk of gravely oversimplifying, there are two flavors\u2014narrative and thematic concepts. Hell for the Helpless bears the flag of the latter. Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> brings musical congruity, as there are self-referential moments like when the mournful guitar melody from \u201cThe Breach\u201d creeps back in toward the end of \u201cThe Summoning.\u201d While I admire the cleverly interwoven motifs, it\u2019s not enough to earn the \u2018concept\u2019 moniker. The best concept albums merge narrative and thematic cohesion in ways that are immediately accessible yet profoundly tethered, and there\u2019s more Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> could have done to distill their message. Adding a story or featuring guest vocalists to represent different mental maladies could have accentuated the nuances of the themes explored. Instead, Hell for the Helpless feels a touch light on conceptual gravity.<\/p>\n

Hell for the Helpless by Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Still, Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> finds plenty of moments to dazzle with their musicianship, excelling when it comes to hooky guitar licks and throat-searing falsettos. Guitarist Mads Sorensen and guitarist\/vocalist Stefan Jensen set fretboards aflame across Hell for the Helpless, slinging neoclassical solos (\u201cThe Summoning\u201d) and dispensing frenetic bursts of arpeggiated runs (\u201cA Painful Debt\u201d). There\u2019s nary a track that isn\u2019t sticky with ear candy, and even when the pace slows down (\u201cFalling in Lust\u201d), Sorensen and Jensen make those bad axes wail. Speaking of wailing, Jensen doesn\u2019t hold back during his vocal onslaught. Living somewhere between Queensr\u00ffche<\/strong>\u2019s Geoff Tate and Flotsam & Jetsam<\/strong>\u2019s Eric Knutson, Jensen most frequently occupies power metal\u2019s comfort zone of high-pitched histrionics. At the top end of his register, he bears a passing resemblance to Unleash the Archers<\/strong>\u2019 Brittney Slayes (\u201cStranger out of Time\u201d). Jensen also dips into growls (\u201cImpending Doom\u201d), adding welcome variation in the back half. The rhythm section earns their keep as well\u2014bassist Io Sklarstrup rumbles along and drummer Stig Eils\u00f8e-Madsen drives the momentum throughout. There aren\u2019t many showy moments for them, but the duo skillfully supports the foundation of Hell for the Helpless.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Despite the slick musicianship and luster of a deft production, Hell for the Helpless falters when evaluated as a whole. Power metal is no stranger to bloat, and the fifty-three-minute runtime is too long for what Exelerate<\/strong><\/strong> deals out. Six of the ten tracks clear the five-minute mark, but they lack the riff diversity and substance to sustain those lengths. A minute could be trimmed from most tracks and engender a tighter, more focused album, rather than songs seeming like butter scraped over too much bread. Regardless of this and the concept execution stumble, Hell for the Helpless is a success. The mix gives all contributors space to be heard and appreciated, and the guitar tone is perfect for power thrash.<\/p>\n

Exelerate<\/strong>\u2019s latest revs my engine, goosing the throttle in lots of right ways. Addictive guitars, supercharged melodies, and singalong choruses deserve at least one spin, although repeated listens will remain a hurdle for some. I quite enjoyed my many listens and think Hell for the Helpless is a bundle of fun. Refining their approach will turbo boost what comes next for Exelerate<\/strong> and I\u2019ll patrol for future releases from these Danes with my fingers crossed that we get the high-octane thrill ride they\u2019re capable of driving.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> Good
DR:<\/strong> 7 | Format Reviewed:<\/strong> 320 kb\/s mp3
Label:<\/strong> From the Vaults<\/a>
Websites:<\/strong> exelerate.bandcamp.com<\/a> | exelerate.dk<\/a> | facebook.com\/Exelerateband<\/a>
Releases Worldwide:<\/strong> September 12th, 2025<\/p>\n

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