Album review: Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags

If Metallica sound like they're taking a look back toward Kill 'Em All on the first peeps at their new album, one listen to Scotland's Hellripper will have them worrying they might have wasted their time. With a similarly deep well of fast NWOBHM-y riffs, and a speedy, wild-eyed mania at their heart, James McBain's metal militia are simply one of the best thrash bands currently in operation, often squaring up to The Four Horsemen's early greatness with ease.

On this third time out, having already proven they've got the 'faster, harder, louder' bit of thrash down to a blunt art, they take a journey through Scottish folklore, keeping the speed up, but adding an element of King Diamond's storytelling to the cauldron. It makes for a potent, caustic but irresistible brew.

The Nuckelavee boots things off with speed and chilling minor-key melody, a la Swedish maniacs Nifelheim, before I, The Deciever's chorus goes full black metal, and the immaculately-titled Goat Vomit Nightmare brings in a punkier punch.

All of which might seem easy to do, and with a little study of your chosen source material one might make a good fist of writing one or two songs in similar style, but to deliver something as consistent as Hellripper do is a damned sight harder. Especially when they do it with this much untethered, frothing energy that fires out of every windmilling riff and lightning-bolts-from-the-fretboard lead.

If thrash should be anything, it's exciting. Hellripper do this. And, fast and hard, creative while showing its roots, genuinely thrilling, Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags is the best offering yet from a truly brilliant band. Your move, Metallica.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Nifelheim, Metallica, Midnight

Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags is out now via Peaceville