Sean Killian is an American vocalist best known as the frontman of Bay Area thrash metal band Vio-lence. His frantic, abrasive vocal style defined the band's landmark debut Eternal Nightmare (1988), a cornerstone of the late-1980s Bay Area thrash scene. After the band dissolved in 1994, Killian returned in 2019 - initially as the recipient of a benefit concert that helped fund his liver transplant - and has led Vio-lence ever since. In 2022 the band released the EP Let the World Burn on Metal Blade Records, their first new studio material in nearly three decades.
Vio-lence are confirmed as the opening band for Death Angel on the European leg of the Act III tour in December 2026, which will visit Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
Death Angel announced the second American leg of the Act III tour with Vio-lence as the opening band; the series starts on May 1, 2026 in Phoenix and ends on June 21 in Santa Cruz.
Killian spoke openly in an interview about guitarist Phil Demmel's departure in February 2024 and rejected his request to put the band on hiatus.
Vio-lence replaced Toxic Holocaust at the last minute on Death Angel's fall American tour after Joel Grind broke his arm.
Vio-lence completed the British-European tour Oppressing the Masses for 35 Years with a new lineup featuring guitarists Ira Black and Max Georgiev.
