Hellripper

Hellripper is a solo black/speed metal group fronted by Scottish multi-instrumentalist and songwriter James McBain. Rooted in the devilry, uncompromising extreme metal, and thrash-punk emissions of artists like Venom, Darkthrone, Megadeth, Sabbat, Kreator, and Motörhead, Hellripper's first full-length effort, Coagulating Darkness, appeared in 2017. 2019's Black Arts & Alchemy EP adopted a more punk-metal approach, while 2020's narrative-driven long-player The Affair of the Poisons combined meaty hooks with thrash-blasted black metal. 2023's Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags saw McBain deliver an epic blackened thrash set inspired by the landscapes and dark folklore of the Scottish Highlands. He continued to delve into Scottish history on 2026's assured Coronach, adding piano, violin, acoustic guitar, and bagpipes to his extreme metal oeuvre.