EXELERATE Hell for the Helpless 2025

12 September 2025 For fans of Flotsam And Jetsam, Megadeth, Dio With blazing precision and fearless ambition, Danish Power Thrash outfit EXELERATE return with their sophomore full-length, “Hell for the Helpless”.

Following the success of their 2023 self-titled debut and a relentless tour schedule across Denmark and Europe, the Copenhagen-based quartet now present their most mature and musically ambitious work to date – a concept album delving deep into the shadows of the human psyche.

Forging a powerful hybrid of fast-paced thrash and melodic, anthemic power metal, “Hell for the Helpless” delivers ten explosive tracks packed with soaring high-pitched vocals, whirlwind guitar solos, pounding drums, and sharp, propulsive bass lines. Whether it’s furious pit-inducing energy or triumphant sing-along moments, Exelerate continue to show they are masters of both the stage and the studio.

“The biggest challenge was writing a worthy successor to an album we had played live so many times”, frontman Stefan Jensen says. “But all that experience gave us clarity. We learned what to lean into, and what our audience really responds to”.

“Hell for the Helpless” is a concept album exploring various damaging and unhealthy mental states, from anxiety and depression to nihilism and obsessive fear. “We live in a time where mental health is a growing issue”, declares guitarist Mads Sørensen. “This album is our way of shining a light on the struggle, the chaos, and also the potential for healing and understanding”. The songs are more ambitious and atmospheric than ever before, with sweeping arrangements and bold lyrical storytelling to match the emotional weight of the themes.

Recorded and produced by the band themselves, with producer Io Klarstrup leading the sessions, “Hell for the Helpless” captures the raw passion and precision of a band firing on all cylinders. Final mixing and mastering were once again handled by Marco Angioni (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Steel Inferno, Meridian), who brings massive sonic weight and clarity to the record’s rich, dynamic sound.

Visually, the album continues Exelerate’s collaboration with airbrush artist Steen Jensen, who delivers a trippy, vivid cover artwork inspired by the inner workings of the troubled mind. It’s a perfect visual complement to the album’s introspective concept – where darkness can easily take root if left unchecked.

Alongside the digital edition, “Hell for the Helpless” will be released on CD and limited edition vinyl, with a tracklist curated specifically for front-to-back listening. The band will support the release with an extensive Danish tour in fall 2025.

“Hell for the Helpless” will be released on LP (purple vinyl limited to 150 copies), CD and digital on 12.09.2025, via From The Vaults.

The Breach 2:45 MP3
The Madness 3:19 MP3
The Summoning 6:08 MP3
Headfirst into the Void 4:28 MP3
A Painful Debt 4:37 MP3
Death Cult 5:31 MP3
Falling in Lust 5:30 MP3
Impending Doom 5:20 MP3
The Legend of Lightning 6:03 MP3
Stranger out of Time

Lineup:
Mads Sørensen – guitars
Stefan Jensen – vocals, guitars
Io Brix Klarstrup – bass
Stig Eilsøe-Madsen – drums