ALBUM REVIEW: The Affair Of The Poisons – Hellripper

Based in the Scottish Highlands and formed in 2014 by James McBain, one-man-band HELLRIPPER have cemented their name as one of the rising forces in the metal genre, putting a unique twist on the blackened thrash sound. 

Title track The Affair Of The Poisons unleashes a deliciously blackened suspenseful riff, soon thundering into top speed with crashing cymbals and layered bass to construct a richness here. McBain’s rough, guttural vocals are the perfect accompaniment to the complex instrumentals, creating a feral, rabid sound. Blending these genres can get messy and artists can easily fall into the trap of becoming an amalgamation of unrecognisable sound, but this is not the case for HELLRIPPER. Each section is as unique as it is powerful, from the speed-soaked riffs and the intricate solo to the thundering chorus.

Spectres Of The Blood Moon Sabbath kicks things off with attitude, a disposition of brazen groove blended with a gloriously blackened violent assault on the senses. Vocals are rough and hellish here but still with a certain smoothness, delicately balanced over the atmospheric instrumental. Vampire’s Grave follows this style, bursting in with all the filthy sleaze and razor-sharp speed of rock n roll meeting black metal and consequently fighting to the death. Dancing, almost playful MOTÖRHEAD style riffs are dashed with that accursed HELLRIPPER malice, a purposefully messy-sounding guitar solo adding the final cherry on top of this devilishly audacious track. McBain comments on the inspiration for the tracks, stating that, “lyrically, the album’s themes primarily revolve around witchcraft and the occult, with some tracks being based on historical events (The Affair of the Poisons, Beyond the Convent Walls) and Scottish legend (Vampire’s Grave).”

If you thought you’d be able to stop and take a breather, you’d be wrong, as Beyond The Convent Walls smacks you straight across the face with all the blistering ferocity of a Scottish winter storm. One of the thrashiest tracks on the record, the sound recalls legends like BOLT THROWER or early KREATOR. Despite the influence, there is no copycat here as HELLRIPPER create a unique and recognisable sound, taking the best elements of the genre and making it their own. Scratching, speed-soaked vocals and ruthless riffs give way only to a frantic solo, unrelenting from start to finish.

Black metal screeches guide us into Savage Blasphemy where the speed certainly does not let up. Eerie and piercingly venomous, blood-drenched riffs leave you positively battered and bruised. Hexennacht follows suit with another aggressive onslaught, feral vocals soaring over the top of furiously fast riffs, all the while tinged with that irresistible groove. A simple, one-word hook in the chorus is the ideal component, perfect for fans to roar out at a live show. Blood Orgy Of The She-Devils is equally impressive, with blackened IRON MAIDEN style guitar melodies and a powerful chorus that packs a punch.

The Affair Of The Poisons rounds off the record by darkening things a shade with The Hanging Tree, where the wintery chill of Scandinavian black metal can be felt from the outset. Thick, deeper vocals soar over dissonant, dancing minor scales to bring this song down to its icy depths, whilst softer guitar interludes create a sound that is as intoxicatingly savage as it is irresistibly insidious, rounding off an incredible record in the most perfect way.

Many new bands have appeared over the years attempting to smash together rough vocals and copycat riffs and falling short, but HELLRIPPER cannot be counted as one of these. Thrash, rock ‘n’ roll, speed, punk and black metal all have their place here, but are expertly blended to create a unique and purposeful sound. Every single track stands out here, each song offering something new to the listener, it’s hard to believe this is the work of one man (aside from the contributions of a few friends). The Affair Of The Poisons is one of the most impressive new records to grace the scene in recent years. 

Rating: 10/10

The Affair Of The Poisons is set for release on October 9th via Peaceville Records.

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