Live Review: Hellripper - Saltbox Bar, Nottingham
3rd April 2026
Support: Schizophrenia, Devastator
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
The underground was alive and kicking to start April as Saltbox Bar in Nottingham played host to a ferocious night of blackened thrash mayhem. With Scotland’s Hellripper headlining, and support from Belgian rising force Schizophrenia alongside the UK’s own Devastator, this was a bill stacked with aggression and old-school spirit.
Devastator wasted no time in igniting the night, launching into ‘Conjurers of Cruelty’ with a savage urgency that immediately grabbed the crowd by the throat. Their blend of blackened thrash hit hard in the compact room, with razor-sharp riffs and a filthy, snarling vocal delivery. There was no easing into things this was full throttle from the outset.
Songs like ‘Black Witchery’ and ‘Liar In Wait’ locking into tight rhythms while still maintaining that chaotic edge. The crowd responded in kind, with the first signs of movement as heads began to bang in unison and the circle pits form. Devastator’s confidence on stage was undeniable, commanding attention without unnecessary theatrics.
By the time ‘Worship the Goat’ rolled around, the room was fully warmed up. Closing with ‘Death Forever’ and ‘Baptised in Blasphemy’, they left the stage having set a high bar for the rest of the evening.
Belgium’s Schizophrenia took things in a more technical direction, without sacrificing any of the night’s intensity. From the moment they kicked in, their tight, intricate riffing and rapid-fire drumming created a wall of sound that demanded attention, think erly Sepultura and you are not far off; you can see where the inspiration of the bands name came from.
There was a palpable energy driving every track, with the band feeding off the crowd’s growing enthusiasm. The interplay between guitars was particularly impressive, weaving leads and rhythms together seamlessly while maintaining relentless pace.
Despite the technicality, Schizophrenia never lost sight of what makes live metal work, the sheer weight of its impact. Each breakdown hit hard, each acceleration hit with purpose, and by the end of their set the crowd was fully locked in.
The evening had started with rumours and worry, Hellripper’s tour bus had broken down (again!) although unlike Bloodstock Winter Gathering the expectation was they would still make the show. That worry dissipated shortly after Schizophrenia’s set as Hellrippers merch started getting set up, the queue went out the door, and it was assumed James and his cohort were in the building at last.
When Hellripper finally hit the stage, the atmosphere shifted from intense to outright explosive. Opening with ‘All Hail the Goat’, they immediately unleashed their signature black ‘n’ roll fury, with frontman James McBain commanding the room effortlessly. The sound was raw, every riff cutting through as the crowd surged forward.
‘Hell’s Rock ‘n’ Roll’ and ‘Goat Vomit Nightmare’ kept the momentum surging, delivering the kind of breakneck speed that has made Hellripper such a standout in the modern scene. There’s a punk-like energy to their performance, unpolished in the best way, driven by attitude as much as musicianship.
Mid-set highlights like ‘The Hanging Tree’ and ‘The Affair of the Poisons’ showcased a darker side, adding depth without losing intensity. ‘Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)’ in particular felt massive in the small venue, its riffs echoing off the walls as the crowd roared along.
The latter half of the set was relentless. ‘Hunderprest’ and ‘The Nuckelavee’ hit with ferocity, while ‘Bastard of Hades’ pushed the energy levels even higher. There was no let-up, no chance to catch a breath, just a continuous barrage of blackened speed metal a fans in a whirlwind of circle pits in Nottingham’s small Saltbox venue.
Closing with ‘Demdike (In League with the Devil)’, Hellripper brought the night to a triumphant, chaotic end. It was the perfect closing number; anthemic, aggressive, and utterly commanding.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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