Seattle’s Beltfed Weapon have been grinding out uncompromising heaviness since 1999, and their new single, ‘Digital Genesis,’ hits like a chrome-plated hammer to the skull. Built on a dystopian sci-fi narrative about tech addiction and the erosion of free will, the track is a speed-fueled thrash/death assault that leans hard into old-school aggression while sounding razor-sharp in execution.
Anchored by founding guitarist Frank Hetzel, the current lineup brings serious firepower: powerhouse vocalist Stu Block, lead guitarist Kragen Lum, bassist Mike LePond, and drummer Bryan Newberry. Together, they channel relentless momentum into a track that balances precision riffing, dynamic vocal shifts, and tightly wound rhythmic punches.
The accompanying lyric visualizer amplifies the song’s themes without overshadowing them, reinforcing the bleak digital narrative while keeping the focus where it belongs—on the music’s intensity and message. It’s a fitting visual companion to a song that imagines humanity surrendering itself to a machine-driven future.
Hetzel explains the creative process behind the single:
“When I started structuring this song, I envisioned lots of vocals and solos going on, which was a new approach to my writing. Giving Stu the reins to come up with a concept and write the lyrics paid off big time. He did an amazing job with the diversity in styles. Kragen added these well-thought-out, tasteful solos that gave the song exactly the feel it needed between the verses. Mike’s bass lines are throat-punching and sit so solid with Noobs and his fierce drumming. Together, they made this song everything and more than what I originally pictured.
This song is about the end of humanity being overtaken by a digital world of machines and destruction tied to religion. It was cool to do something different, and with the mixture of musical styles and the different vocal approaches, it all blended really well.”
The band’s merch store may be temporarily offline, but sharing the track is currently the best way to support—and after one spin of ‘Digital Genesis,’ that shouldn’t be a hard sell.
Check out the lyric visualizer below and grab the single via Bandcamp.
The post Video Premiere: Beltfed Weapon – ‘Digital Genesis’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.