Photo by MM Photography
Scotland’s ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastard of Hades, otherwise known as HELLRIPPER, is now unleashing the electrifying title track from his upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Coronach,’ which will be released worldwide on March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records, making it his debut to the label! The anthemic single, “Coronach,” can now be heard along with a lyric video created by Irvan Dionisi / Theblackvisual.id at THIS LOCATION.
Hellripper’s mastermind, guitarist/vocalist and songwriter James McBain comments, “A coronach is a vocal lament traditionally performed at funerals in the Scottish highlands. Intertwined with my own words is the poem of the same name by Sir Walter Scott, which served as an inspiration for this story: the funeral of an ambivalent and mysterious figure, revered by his community for his heroic deeds but whose life hid many dark secrets. As well as lyrically, the track is also a musical experiment for me; it was primarily influenced by late 80’s thrash metal along with bands like Bathory, Gallowbraid and Atlantean Kodex. A dash of post-punk, a fair amount of Iron Maiden-style guitar harmonies, some classical references and the haunting wail of the bagpipes fading in the distance: this song feels like the perfect farewell to the album.”
‘Coronach’ can be pre-ordered HERE.
In addition, Hellripper has recently announced a string of support shows for thrash metal legend Testament in Spain and France. In addition, Hellripper will next embark on European headline tour alongside Schizophrenia and Sarcator to promote ‘Coronach’ and has also revealed a number of festival appearances and two performances in Mexico. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.
Enter the GOAT KVLT HERE.
The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/solitary force, James McBain, Hellripper has been running like a denim-vested, backpatch-encrusted William Wallace, bravehearting his way through metal’s bloodiest battlefields since first coagulating his personal darkness in 2014. Taking armaments from “Kill ‘Em All” era Hetfield and “Welcome to Hell” era Mantas, McBain has immersed his fascination with darkness and speed with Scottish history and come with bloody masterpieces like 2023’s “Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags” that Metal Injection stated: “Bursts with growth and a mature exploration of darkness and eeriness while maintaining that original high-octane burning”. McBain is presently sharpening his blades and casting new spells that will transmogrify into Hellripper’s Century Media debut “Coronach”.
Hellripper Lineup:
James McBain – All Instruments & Vocals
Hellripper live and video performance line-up:
James McBain – Guitar & Vocals
Joseph Quinlan – Guitar
Andy Milburn – Bass
Max Southall – Drums
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