So, I’m a little late on a review for the third full-length Hellripper album. (Hey better late than never right?) But I did want to make a post about it in some way. I enjoyed “The Affair of the Poisons” (2020) just fine, but I was left wanting a little more out of it. Admittedly, I was kinda losing some interest in black/thrash around that time. But, when I heard that a new Hellripper full-length was on the way, I decided to give the genre another go. And I’m fuckin thrilled that I did! Because, honestly, I really am blown away by this album. I’ve not been able to stop playing it the whole way through, even a few weeks after its release.
So first off, the artwork is fantastic! I love the darker shades of green and how well they work with one another. The figures on the left side help give the art a little bit of depth too. Most noticeably, the iconic goat now has a larger, more menacing look. With the previous album, I always felt like the goat on the cover was competing for attention with the people burning. Colorful as that piece is, the goat kinda gets lost in it. But here, it’s front and center, with a more imposing depiction conveying a sense of solemnity. Everything about this album’s art, for me, feels more distinct and memorable.
Even the songs feel more memorable because holy fuckin’ shit these tracks are incredible! Eight tracks of pure “all-killer, no filler” blackened speed metal line this album from end to end. The album jumps right into the fray with “The Nuckelavee”, a frantically energetic opener! It’s a fantastic blend of black metal vocals and speed metal riffing. The song also has a touch of NWOBHM in some areas, which I think makes it stand out. Black/thrash on its own can get a little boring after a while, so adding other elements brings some needed variety.
As another example of the added variety, the title track adds a touch of folk metal. The inclusion of bagpipes (courtesy of guest musician Antonio Rodriguez) helps the album stand out from other black/thrash releases. It gives the album a sense of freshness that the genre (in my opinion) was in severe need of. The title track starts off a bit slower but maintains an intoxicatingly fun, yet intense atmosphere throughout. And with its already cool chorus that makes you want to chant along, you get what I think is easily one of the best tracks on the album.
Other tracks are equally enjoyable. “The Cursed Carrion Crown”, “Goat Vomit Nightmare”, and “Mester Stoor Worm” all have a ton of energy and intensity to them. I feel like Hellripper has taken a significant step forward with this album. Everything feels much more well-composed and well-written compared to the previous Hellripper album. On top of that, this album makes me want to explore black/thrash again to see what I may have missed. It’s an incredible album from start to finish and well worth the listen. Hell, I plan to pick up a copy at the next Bandcamp Friday!
As of this post, this Hellripper album is currently my album of the year for 2023. I’ve kept coming back to listen to it! Anytime an album makes you want to listen to it over and over again, you know you’ve hit something special. With Hellripper at the helm, Scotland’s metal scene is in damn good hands. I can’t wait for what James McBain does next!