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HELLRIPPER
Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags

Peaceville (2023)
Rating: 8/10

Having followed young Scotsman James McBain since his 2015 debut EP The Manifestation Of Evil it’s fair to say he has come a long way. Eight years after that impressive snap to the system McBain has been involved in numerous split projects, released two full-lengths previous to this one and a handful of singles too.

He’s a busy chap who remains at the forefront when it comes to fusing black metal and speed metal, but what is clear with this third release is how he has matured musically and has become unafraid to experiment within the structures he’s assembled since his inception.

Of course, you still get raked by the vicious and often stark black metal saps, but from the off here McBain showcases his technical abilities alongside diversity as ‘The Nuckelalvee’ (a demonic creature from Orcadian folklore) spits and rages like classic UK thrashers Sabbat. And that’s what I’m getting here; strong esoteric whiffs drenched in lore but with enough zip and vim, and yet without resorting to some of the comfort zone material of previous outings.

Nowhere is such musical meanderings more apparent than on epic trudges of the title track which is streaked with blackened melody and armed with a Euro Goth march only matched by its bomastic chanted chorus. Elsewhere, ‘Mester Stoor Worm’ is another bewitching and grandiose statement; an eight-minute composition of varying guises but essentially streaked by what has become Hellripper’s signature sneer and snarl.

However, it’s not all high n’ mighty. Tracks such as ‘The Hissing Marshes’, ‘Goat Vomit Nightmare’ and ‘Poison Womb (The Curse Of The Witch)’ is Hellripper reverting back to type; short snaps of black speed metal that countless acts have puked out before. But having said that, as an album, Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags remains Hellripper’s most flexible, even through all the countless nods to old Venom, Slayer, Metallica, Sabbat and of course those Teutonic titans.

This is a record that tells stories and causes whiplash, but its finest moments are its lengthier tracks which exhibit a strong sense of development and depth, and above all they hint at greater journeys to come for James McBain. As always, it remains a joy to follow this man and Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags – in spite of its dips – provides enough yarn spilling and versatility to keep one entertained on foggy nights.

Neil Arnold

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