Beltfed Weapon

Beltfed Weapon is an American independent death/thrash metal band, currently based in Seattle, Washington, and founded in 1999 by Franko Hetzel, a prolific local promoter involved with such festivals as Seattle Metal Fest and Northwest Death Fest. In recent years, Hetzel became the band's sole permanent member, writing and producing all music and inviting session musicians for each specific project. Their latest five-track EP, Darkened Demise, was released in June 2023. In 2001, Beltfed Weapon released their self-titled demo EP and began touring locally, performing at venues like Studio Seven, Seattle, and sharing the stage with many prominent collectives, including Cryptopsy, Nile (2), and Dragonlord. In May 2005, the band performed at the Minneapolis Mayhem II Metal Fest. With constant and numerous lineup changes, Beltfed Weapon produced and self-published Peacekeeper EP in 2009. Soon after the release, Hetzel disbanded his group, as he still struggled to form and maintain a reliable, permanent collective to perform live. Around 2014, Frank began playing and recording again, subsequently reforming Beltfed Weapon with Andy Beech, his old friend and well-known luthier, on lead guitar, Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus co-founder, of ex-Death and Testament fame), whom Hetzel booked in the past for local festivals, on bass, and Swedish drummer Fredrik Widigs (ex-Marduk). The band's third EP, , came out in October 2015. Current lineup Frank Hetzel — rhythm guitar Steve Tucker, Tim Aymar — vocals Jeff Loomis, Kragen Lum — lead guitar Jason Viebrooks, Dagna Silesia, JD DeServio — bass Bryan Newbury — drums