HELLRIPPER - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
Peaceville Records
This is the third full length by HELLRIPPER aka: James McBain. For those of you who don't know, yes HELLRIPPER is a one man band. McBain is Scotland's version of Joel Grind of TOXIC HOLOCAUST or maybe Athenar from MIDNIGHT. In that musically HELLRIPPER specializes in speed metal with some blackened touches, mainly McBain's vocals.
Also this is not my first time writing about HELLRIPPER. My history with em goes back to their beginning with the The Manifestation of Evil EP from 2015. So for the past bunch of years McBain has put out plenty of short form releases all sounding in the blackened thrash/speed metal formula. If ever he's shown some progress it's been on his full lengths.
HELLRIPPER's second album, The Affair of the Poisons, from 2020 showed that McBain was showing more of a traditional heavy metal style in his song writing. This latest one shows that he's accomplished it all without compromise. Opener "The Nuckelavee" is a perfect example to were you have blackened speed metal meeting up with some melodic riffs in mid-song. Add to that some cool lead guitar work.
The rest of this album confirms it all. There's melodic black metal meets NWOBHM. There's heavy riffs ala 1980's meets speed metal mania. All in all it's a great record and HELLRIPPER's finest.
LISTEN HERE:
https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/album/warlocks-grim-withered-hags
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