HELLRIPPER Unleashes Electrifying Title Track from Upcoming Opus, "Coronach"

February 10, 2026

Scotland's ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastard of Hades, otherwise known as HELLRIPPER, is now unleashing the electrifying title track from his upcoming fourth studio album, 'Coronach,' which will be released worldwide on March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records, making it his debut to the label! The anthemic single, “Coronach,” can now be heard along with a lyric video created by Irvan Dionisi / Theblackvisual.id below.

Hellripper’s mastermind, guitarist/vocalist and songwriter James McBain comments, “A coronach is a vocal lament traditionally performed at funerals in the Scottish highlands. Intertwined with my own words is the poem of the same name by Sir Walter Scott, which served as an inspiration for this story: the funeral of an ambivalent and mysterious figure, revered by his community for his heroic deeds but whose life hid many dark secrets. As well as lyrically, the track is also a musical experiment for me; it was primarily influenced by late 80’s thrash metal along with bands like Bathory, Gallowbraid and Atlantean Kodex. A dash of post-punk, a fair amount of Iron Maiden-style guitar harmonies, some classical references and the haunting wail of the bagpipes fading in the distance: this song feels like the perfect farewell to the album."

'Coronach' can be pre-ordered HERE.

In addition, Hellripper has recently announced a string of support shows for thrash metal legend Testament in Spain and France. In addition, Hellripper will next embark on European headline tour alongside Schizophrenia and Sarcator to promote 'Coronach' and has also revealed a number of festival appearances and two performances in Mexico. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

Enter the GOAT KVLT HERE.

The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/solitary force, James McBain, Hellripper has been running like a denim-vested, backpatch-encrusted William Wallace, bravehearting his way through metal's bloodiest battlefields since first coagulating his personal darkness in 2014. Taking armaments from “Kill 'Em All” era Hetfield and “Welcome to Hell” era Mantas, McBain has immersed his fascination with darkness and speed with Scottish history and come with bloody masterpieces like 2023's “Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags” that Metal Injection stated: "Bursts with growth and a mature exploration of darkness and eeriness while maintaining that original high-octane burning”. McBain is presently sharpening his blades and casting new spells that will transmogrify into Hellripper's Century Media debut “Coronach”.

Hellripper Lineup:

James McBain – All Instruments & Vocals

Hellripper live and video performance line-up:

James McBain – Guitar & Vocals

Joseph Quinlan – Guitar

Andy Milburn – Bass

Max Southall – Drums

Album credits:

Recorded and mixed by Hellripper’s James McBain at Coronach Studios in Scotland, UK

Mastered by Damien Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios in the USA.

Cover Artwork: Adam Burke / Nightjar Illustration

Formats:

Jewelcase CD

Digital Album

LP (formats below):

- “Black Cuillin” LP on black vinyl (Unlimited, available in Europe)

- “Wild Thistle” LP on transp. magenta vinyl (Ltd. to 400x copies, available from UK retailers and Hellripper)

- “Saltire” LP on blue vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available from selected German & Austrian retailers and from Hellripper)

- “Highland Mist” LP on grey vinyl (Ltd. to 1000x copies, available from Hellripper)

- “Baobhan Sith” LP on transp. forest green vinyl (Unlimited, available in the USA)

- “Granite City” LP on electric smoke colored vinyl (Ltd. to 500x copies, available in the USA)

- “Bean Nighe” LP on ultra clear vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available in the USA from Hellripper)

Pre-order // pre-save: https://hellripperband.lnk.to/Coronach-AlbumID

Links:

HELLRIPPER Announces New Album, Launches New Single + Music Video

January 17, 2026

Scotland's ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastard of Hades, otherwise known as HELLRIPPER, is pleased to announce that his fourth studio album, 'Coronach,' will be released worldwide on March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records, making it his debut to the label! To celebrate this upcoming offering, HELLRIPPER is now debuting a raucous new black thrash anthem, “Hunderprest,” along with a spirited performance video that was filmed at UK’s Damnation Festival 2025 by Sethpicturesmusic and edited by Jake Ten. The clip can be found below.

HELLRIPPER mastermind, guitarist/vocalist and songwriter James McBain comments on the new single,

"'Hunderprest' hits immediately with a chaotic deluge of dissonance, and is what I felt to be the perfect way to open the album — leaving the listener with no time to prepare. Based on the legend of 'Hunderprest,' or 'dog priest' - the vampire of Melrose Abbey. The sinful chaplain inherited his nickname because of his habit of hunting on horseback with his pack of hounds. After his death, legend says he was buried in the graveyard of Melrose Abbey; and because his spirit could not find peace, he would rise from his grave when night fell to harass the villagers and his former mistress to satisfy his bloodthirst. He was eventually defeated when a group of monks from Melrose Abbey exhumed Hunderprest’s blood-soaked body in broad daylight and set it on fire, throwing the ashes into the wind to be sure that the vampire would no longer be able to torment the town.

"Musically, the track primarily takes influence from a mixture of thrash (Kreator, Merciless, Metallica) and black (Watain, Rotting Christ, Tribulation) metal, with a healthy dose of some more 'atmospheric' d-beat elements from the likes of Oathbreaker and Fall of Efrafa.”

He adds about the album, "'Coronach’ is a personal exploration of Scottish Culture — its music, literature, history & folklore. From Pictish mysteries to Victorian Gothic literature, sinister lore, classic Scottish poetry and modern urban tales, the album tells stories of the country throughout the ages. Inspired by anything and everything from Venom and Mercyful Fate, to Watain and Opeth, to Manic Street Preachers, film scores and traditional Scottish music, the album is a good representation of myself all wrapped up in a nice speed metal package! Quite a bit of experimentation went into this album, and I wanted each track to contain something that I had never done previously. Whether it be the inclusion of a different instrument, or how a song begins, I aimed to offer some element of surprise in each track.

"The album, named after the vocal lament traditionally sung at funerals in the Scottish Highlands, encompasses everything the band is about: mixing modern and old-school influences, past and present storytelling, the dark side of Scottish history and my personal interpretation of it. As always, the writing and recording took place in my home studio, with various other people putting their stamp on a few of the tracks. The album was mixed by myself, and was mastered by Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios, and the artwork was done by Adam Burke (Nightjar Illustration). Fàilte gu Alba - Welcome to Scotland!”

'Coronach' can be pre-ordered HERE.

In addition, Hellripper will be embarking on a European headliner with support from Schizophrenia and Sarcator, which will introduce the band’s upcoming studio album release (More details about that soon…!). The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

Enter the GOAT KVLT HERE.

Hellripper Lineup:

James McBain – All Instruments & Vocals

Hellripper live and video performance line-up:

James McBain – Guitar & Vocals

Joseph Quinlan – Guitar

Andy Milburn – Bass

Max Southall – Drums

Album credits:

Recorded and mixed by Hellripper’s James McBain at Coronach Studios in Scotland, UK

Mastered by Damien Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios in the USA.

Cover Artwork: Adam Burke / Nightjar Illustration

Formats:

Jewelcase CD

Digital Album

LP (formats below):

- “Black Cuillin” LP on black vinyl (Unlimited, available in Europe)

- “Wild Thistle” LP on transp. magenta vinyl (Ltd. to 400x copies, available from UK retailers and Hellripper)

- “Saltire” LP on blue vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available from selected German & Austrian retailers and from Hellripper)

- “Highland Mist” LP on grey vinyl (Ltd. to 1000x copies, available from Hellripper)

- “Baobhan Sith” LP on transp. forest green vinyl (Unlimited, available in the USA)

- “Granite City” LP on electric smoke colored vinyl (Ltd. to 500x copies, available in the USA)

- “Bean Nighe” LP on ultra clear vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available in the USA from Hellripper)

Pre-order // pre-save: https://hellripperband.lnk.to/Coronach-AlbumID

Links:

HELLRIPPER Unleashes Music Video for New Single, “Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite),

October 22, 2025

Recently signed to Century Media Records worldwide, Scotland's ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastard of Hades, otherwise known as HELLRIPPER, returns with a brand-new single! “Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite)!" The vicious new track can be found along with a music video, which was directed by David Gregory, below.

HELLRIPPER mastermind James McBain, comments:

"'Kinchyle' is the McBain clan’s war cry and a fitting first glimpse at the upcoming album.

"Lyrically, the track was inspired by my experience growing up in the North-East of Scotland in Aberdeen (the Granite City), and reflects on what it’s like to feel trapped in a certain environment. I wanted to show a side of Scotland that is not necessarily the magical 'postcard' that a lot of people picture when thinking of the country.

"Musically, the track is very 'Hellripper-sounding,' and is the most 'rocking' song that I’ve written in quite a while, though there are a few new elements in there that I had fun experimenting with. The track was influenced by the likes of Tank, Running Wild and Motörhead, as well as bands such as Opeth and Witherscape.

"All in all, a very personal song both in terms of lyrics and musical influences. Hope you enjoy it... All Hail the Goat!"

Enter the GOAT KVLT and check out a glimpse of what's to come HERE.

Hellripper Lineup:

James McBain – All Instruments & Vocals

Hellripper live and video performance line-up:

James McBain – Guitar & Vocals

Joseph Quinlan – Guitar

Andy Milburn – Bass

Max Southall – Drums

Links:

Blackened Thrasher HELLRIPPER Sign to Century Media Records, Shares New Music Teaser

August 11, 2025

The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/solitary force, James McBain, HELLRIPPER has been running like a denim-vested, backpatch-encrusted William Wallace, brave-hearting his way through metal's bloodiest battlefields since first coagulating his personal darkness in 2014. Taking armaments from 'Kill 'Em All' era Hetfield and 'Welcome to Hell' era Mantas, McBain has immersed his fascination with darkness and speed with Scottish history and come with bloody masterpieces like 2023's' Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags' that Metal Injection stated, 'Bursts with growth and a mature exploration of darkness and eeriness while maintaining that original high-octane burning."

"I'm very pleased to announce that HELLRIPPER is now working with Century Media Records!" comments McBain. "It's a label that I've followed for a long time now and am honoured to become a part of such a great legacy. We share a common vision for the future of the band, and together, we vow to spread the word of the Goat Kvlt! I'm excited to embark on this new chapter of the band's journey and I can't wait to share it with you all! All Hail the Goat!"

McBain is presently sharpening his blades and casting new spells that will transmogrify into HELLRIPPER's Century Media debut, due around the vernal equinox of 2026. In the meantime, McBain and his trusted roundtable of sonic knights have taken to battle on European soil, leaving the likes of Norway's Beyond the Gates, Czech's Brutal Assault, and Germany's Summer Breezebloodied and staggering in their wake. In March 2025, HELLRIPPER played their first U.S. show at Houston's Hell's Heroes festival to a similarly stunned crowd of fans who were left beaten, bruised and beer-soaked by a crowd-swimming McBain by the set's epic conclusion.

"HELLRIPPER is the high-bar for thrash", states Century Media, Vice President of A&R, Mike Gitter. "Like an angry billy goat, with his beard washed in blood, James McBain is a feral force that brings together the best elements of metal, black metal, crusty, d-beat punk and speed metal. James' sonic evil knows no boundaries and isn't afraid to push the extremes of earslaughtering noise or unexpected guitar melodies. Century Media is proud to be a refuge for the Goat Horde!"

Enter the GOAT KVLT and check out a glimpse of what's to come Below.

Links: