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With a name like Hellripper, the cover art, and a total play time of around 29 minutes, I was almost certain I was in for a hellishly fun ride when I first stumbled upon The Affair of the Poisons back in 2020. Hellripper is a one-man band hailing from Scotland, with James McBain handling every instrument as well as mixing and recording. The band has been making waves, gotten some good press and joined some heavy hitters on tour including Abbath and Toxic Holocaust.

Hellripper delivers a potent concoction of blackened speed metal, wearing their influences proudly on their sleeve. If early Venom, Bathory and Motörhead had gone on a booze- and amphetamine-fueled rampage, and decided to write some sick riffs between all the chaos, this is the kind of music you'd expect. There are also clear nods to early Metallica, Slayer and Sodom, as well as newer bands like Midnight. The Affair of the Poisons is packed with high-octane, unhinged riffing, blistering but surprisingly clean guitar solos and McBain's maniacal barks, which just adds to the general insanity.

The music itself is surprisingly catchy, with some clever additions of brief, NWBOHM-like melodic chops, making it more palatable without sacrificing the raw energy. The production is on point, gritty enough to suit the genre but polished just enough to let the musicianship shine. The only potential stumbling block might be the vocals, but if you're into blackened variations of just about anything, I doubt they'll be a problem.

The Affair of the Poisons is a hellishly fun, adrenaline-fueled ride and a clear progression from Coagulating Darkness. Get it.