Album Review: Hellripper - Coronach
Reviewed by Richard Oliver
The Scottish speed metal king James McBain returns with a brand spanking new Hellripper album “Coronach”. Named after the improvised communal singing that is a tradition at funerals and wakes in Scotland, “Coronach” continues to bring Scottish heritage, culture and tradition into the lyrical themes whilst the music continues to grow and progress drawing from different sounds and influences whilst still retaining the blackened speed and thrash core Hellripper sound.
Hellripper has grown from its origins whilst at the same time remaining much the same. The music is still all performed and recorded by James McBain at his home studio as has been the way for all the previous Hellripper releases but whilst black, speed and thrash metal are the still beating heart of Hellripper, James refuses to do the same album twice and “Coronach” sees the introduction of different instruments such as synthesisers, cello, violin and of course bagpipes and even a few clean vocals pop up here and there. Before anyone panics thinking this is a radical departure for Hellripper, be reassured that this is still the same band but with a few new ingredients added to the mix. Influences as diverse as post punk, prog rock, death metal seep their way into the sound with James citing bands as from Mercyful Fate, Venom, Opeth and Manic Street Preachers as providing influence on his songwriting approach.
The eight songs which make up “Coronach” are varied and give a wide scope throughout the album listening experience from the harsh coldness of album opener ‘Hunderprest’ to the rock ‘n’ roll debauchery of ‘Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite), the atmosphere and evil feel of ‘Baobhan Sith (Waltz Of The Damned)’, the all out thrashing assault of ‘Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm’ and the majestic progressive title track which closes the album and sees the most diverse array of influences and sounds on the album.
“Coronach” is another superb album from Hellripper and showcases the ever growing maturity and evolution of James’ songwriting and musicianship. This is still the same Hellripper which have ripped our faces off on the previous three albums but this is definitely a branching out and expansion of the Hellripper experience whilst still remaining true to the ethos first shown on the debut EP in 2015. Hellripper started out as a little project which James hoped a few people in his local scene would enjoy but has blown up to something beyond which James could ever imagine. The evolution of Hellripper continues with “Coronach” and the future is looking very bright.
