Hellripper – Coronach
Release Date: 27th March 2026
Label: Century Media
Bandcamp
Genre: Blackened Speed Metal, Heavy Metal.
FFO: Demiser, Midnight, Cruel Force, Bathory.
Review By: Aeons Burning
When an underground band that releases nothing but bangers signs to a major label, there’s always a fear that they’ll try and appeal to a wider audience instead of being that awesome niche project they once were. Hellripper immediately proves how that’s not the case with new album Coronach, though. Their first on Century Media Records after partnering with the legendary Peaceville for the last couple albums, Coronach takes the more mature songwriting from Warlocks Grim & Weathered Hags and amplifies that sound. This isn’t just blackened speed metal about fucking witches and riding goats to glory anymore, because Hellripper have embraced the blackened epic trve metal of Bathory fully and Coronach demands you to raise your goddamn sword.
That’s not to say there’s no trace of the old Hellripper anymore though, because that’s fully present across most of the album. Sole studio member James McBain not only rips your face off with some tracks, but does so with the best use of melody I’ve seen yet from this project. Hunderprest is a classic opener guaranteed to get you fired up, and as always, the riffs on Coronach, just like literally every other Hellripper album, slay. Fans clamoring for the all-out blackened speed attack of yore look no further than Song Title of the Year contender Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm, which is easily my personal highlight of Coronach. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s proper beer-drinking, leather-bedecked metal I can guzzle down by the gallon. Other highlights include Mortarcheyn and Baobhan Sith (Waltz of the Damned), showcasing how much James’ songwriting has only gotten better over the years he’s been doing this project. The biggest showcase of how Hellripper just writes better songs on every single album is the nearly TEN minute closer Coronach. It’s quite hard to suddenly pen an epic-length track especially when it’s so rare in this subgenre, and it’s even harder to pull it off without it feeling meandering. I love how Hellripper has now truly blended epic Bathory worship and sword metal in their sound, and as always I can’t wait to hear how they expand on it next.
Hellripper is and always has been one of the freshest bands in metal. All of their records are infectiously good, and it’s hard to make a case for this band not having a near flawless discography, across five albums now. Coronach is yet another notch in Hellripper’s belt, and as long as I live, I will always love this band. All hail the motherfuckin’ goat.
(4 / 5)
