REVIEW: Hellripper - Coronach
- Will Freeman
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
HELLRIPPER remain one of the most exciting forces in underground metal, creating a refreshing take on many classic areas of metal whilst creating something wholly unique and powerful.
This latest release, Coronach, from one man Scottish blackened speed metal modern legend is a showcase in what HELLRIPPER can do as a musical force. As a collection of tracks they complement each other while they remain stand alone tracks. Being a one man project when it comes to recording there is a positive element of singularity as the vison of metal mastermind James McBain does not get lost. On the other end it avoids the trait of becoming a project of ego, instead the true nature of being a passion project is evident.
From the opening guitar of Hunderprest immediately launching you into the world of HELLRIPPER , you get that rare feeling where the music is so intense your hair stands up on your arms. Featuring slightly heavier vocals than the band is known for using, whilst still being in the same camp of extreme metal. HELLRIPPER are not the heaviest band in recent memory but metal does not need to get heavier to push the genre forward, great song writing in metal is what pushes the genre forward and Coronach as an album achieves this.
The DIY ethos of HELLRIPPER is commendable, but their sound is not lo fi, instead every instrument rings through as a collective group of power. The guitars as with all Hellripper projects is the strong point, they can be brutal and strangely beautiful in delivery. Many of the solos will simply melt your face off with their sheer level of ferocity. Every time they appear in a track is at the perfect moment and helps create a new level of enjoyment.
Hunderprest is the longest track on this project weighing it at eight minutes and forty eight seconds. It avoids any of the failings longer songs often can have, the main worry is that longer tracks can end up boring. The track is an exiting journey celebrating everything HELLRIPPER can place into one track. A complete statement of metal music intent. Carving its own identity within the world of metal. Any use of classic metal ideas aren’t cliché instead they are a part of the DNA of what makes great metal truly special. The diverse musical influences of James McBain aren’t always talked about but it appears it’s what has led to HELLRIPPER avoiding anything stagnant within music. This also seems to be the reason the song writing stands above everything, as it isn’t simply rewriting what has been, instead it’s defining what can and will be. With HELLRIPPER being such a young project there is an element of maturity within the music, but this does not remove from the simple blissful metal joy the music creates. Every track is delivered in a complete package. The title track itself works perfectly as a stand along long metal experience but also retains it’s own identity. Having eight tracks the album is on the shorter end but this means nothing on it out stays it’s welcome. The album is in the metal tradition of giving you just enough you crave more.
Overall the album is a delightful release in metal. When the metal world often feels like band’s are pushing the same style to try and get named the heaviest band around, song writing often gets lost. This latest album by HELLRIPPER is a collection of eight songs that showcase why they are truly modern day greats. It’s everything you crave in metal in a tight package.
Score: 9/10
Coronach will be released on 27th March 2026 via Century Media Records.
Words: Will Freeman
Photos: Hellripper
Comments