Tired? Irritable? Prone to bouts of melancholy that leave you feeling sluggish and indifferent, especially as the weather changes? It could be seasonal affective disorder, but these symptoms can also characterize a diet lacking in vitamin R(iff). If it’s the latter, Hellripper’s Coronach essentially bleeds the cure for whatever ails you, parading loud riffs, loud solos and thrilling grooves with comforting indifference.
Releasing Hellripper’s fourth album in less than a decade, architect and sole member James McBain maintains a tried-and-true release schedule and, most importantly, a steady evolution of refined songwriting that is as thrilling as it is encouraging. I won’t mince words – Coronach is an undeniable corker and succeeds as Hellripper’s biggest win to date. So, go to your local or digital dealer and grab some Coronach quickly!
Expanding on the achievements of previous Hellripper albums, Coronach harnesses the charm of earlier releases and injects them with a deadly dose of vitality. In 2017, the debut album Coagulating Darkness left its influences behind, from riffs dripping with warp-speed Venom to the guitar lead on “Bastard of Hades” that was lifted straight from Metallica’s “Hit the Lights.” The Affair of the Poisons shaped Hellripper’s identity with barrages of licks that, while still packed with influences, exuded a welcome dimension of originality. Three years ago, Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags introduced cohesive, longer-form compositions that pushed into greater length while reinforcing Hellripper’s arsenal of acoustic ammunition. With Coronach, Hellripper strike a balance between the longer arrangements of Warlocks and the dizzying blackened bangers of the past, bolstered by excellent performances throughout.
Coronach overflows with electrified arrangement, and while McBain provides the bulk of Hellripper’s sonic components, a few guests further enrich the proceedings. Hot leads and hot solos set Coronach’s eight tracks ablaze, boasting some of the most engaging guitar playing I’ve heard this year. “Hunderprest” and “Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm” rattle with flashy spells, enhanced by longtime six-string collaborator Joseph Quinlan (Desert Heretic). Likewise, “Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)” roars with lively loud Motörhead riffs before an acoustic guitar intervenes to turn the song into slinky grooves and heavy half-times. After some interplay, the pace rises again to close with the intro riff. Hellripper were never short on earworms, yet Coronach reveals a mature understanding of dynamic songwriting that lends depth and complexity, without ever sounding forced or unnatural. Besides Quinlan, Jess Townsend contributes violin on “Baobhan Sith (Waltz of the Damned)”, while singer Marianne returns to lend her vocals to a few tracks and Antonio Rodriguez repeats the bagpipes on the closer “Coronach”. Vacuous’s Max Southall even lends some percussive flair to “Mortercheyn”. Between himself and the talented musicians he’s gathered, it’s clear that while McBain feels comfortable with his supporting cast, he’s determined not to release the same album twice.
What impresses me most about Coronach is that McBain manages to broaden Hellripper’s sonic palette without ever losing the band’s core identity. “Hunderprest” and “Coronach” overflow with the band’s characteristic riffs, yet the solos recall southern rock shredding à la Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Outlaws played at one-and-a-half speed. “Sculptor’s Cave”, meanwhile, channels what El Cuervo affectionately called “Motörhead on cocaine” energy during its “Rock ‘n’ Roll”-inspired solo. A pervasive punk mood also glimmers beneath Coronach’s surface, where the spare guitar choruses of “Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)”, “Sculptor’s Cave” and “Mortercheyn” recall more technical versions of Bad Religion and The Offspring. Tying it all together and allowing the myriad influences to fuse, the mix ensures this is the best sound Hellripper have ever had, preserving their raw edge while also avoiding the “everything louder than everything else” approach that characterized previous albums – and particularly The Affair of the Poisons.
Undoubtedly, Hellripper have released their best release to date with Coronach, though a few minor tweaks could have elevated it to undisputed excellence. “Baobhan Sith (Waltz of the Damned)” is a bit too long in length, and even though I like “Mortercheyn”, it doesn’t quite match the heights of the other tracks. Even so, I return to Coronach again and again with no signs of slowing down. Just remember – Coronach should be taken while driving or handling heavy machinery. If lethargy sets in or your mouth dries out from years of vitamin R deficiency, simply take one to two doses of Coronach (aurally) and wait for Hellripper’s revitalizing dose to take effect.
Rating: Perfect!!
DR: 7 | Format reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Century Media Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
worldwide: March 27, 2026
