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Review: Hellripper - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
Hellripper
www.hellripper.com
Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags

Label: Peaceville Records
Year released: 2023
Duration: 43:03
Tracks: 8
Genre: Black/Speed Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: February 3, 2025
Reviewed by: Thomas
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4.18/5 (83.64%) (11 Votes)
Review

Your Scottish one-man connoisseur of fine horror-tinged blackened speed metal, Hellripper, came roaring back in 2023 with their third full-length Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags, the follow-up to 2020's excellent The Affair of the Poisons. One look at the album duration hints at a clear progression here compared to their previous outings. Where the first two albums didn't even reach the half-hour mark, Hellripper blaze on for more than forty minutes here with the same number of songs, suggesting that new approaches to songwriting have been taken.

Indeed, in addition to the wonderful blackened speed metal mania that we have become so used to, there are songs that take a more elaborate approach, such as the 7-minute, mid-paced, pounding title track, or the 8-minute riff-fest of a closer "Mester Stoor Worm." On particularly the former, McBain lets both NWOBHM and thrash influences take command, and given how well these elements have worked previously when used more sparingly, it is no surprise that he can craft great songs that do not go all out on speed and violence. These classic metal elements are also more pronounced on the shorter tracks. An example is opener "The Nuckleavee," which is laced with melodic, double guitar work reminiscent of Maiden, Satan and other giants.

Make no mistake however, despite these newer characteristics, there is plenty of good old-fashioned in-your-face speed metal here, where the McBain channels his inner Venom and a more satanic Motörhead. In addition to every song containing some kind of face-melting feature in the form of a raging riff or a ripping guitar solo, individual tracks like "Goat Vomit Nightmare," "The Cursed Carrion Crown" and "The Hissing Marshes" should satisfy any need for speed. All in all, though, on Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags, Hellripper progress, without making any notable sacrifices (except virgins). Highly recommended.

See below for more reviews and interviews... ↓
More about Hellripper...
Review: Coagulating Darkness (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: The Affair of the Poisons (reviewed by Thomas)
Interview with James McBain on March 23, 2023 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with guitarist and vocalist James McBain on February 25, 2024 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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