For most bands, evolution often comes at the cost of identity. As artists grow more ambitious, they risk losing the raw qualities that made them exciting in the first place. Hellripper have managed to avoid that trap entirely. Since emerging from the Scottish underground in the mid-2010s, James McBain has steadily transformed what began as a filthy blackened speed metal project into one of extreme metal's most compelling modern acts. Each release has expanded the formula without sacrificing the chaos, attitude, and energy that defined the early years. Coronach continues that progression, delivering an album that feels simultaneously bigger, more refined, and more adventurous while still sounding unmistakably like Hellripper.

What immediately stands out about Coronach is how naturally it balances its many influences. Black metal remains the foundation, but speed metal, thrash, traditional heavy metal, death metal, folk melodies, and even traces of rock 'n' roll swagger weave throughout the record. Rather than feeling like a collection of disconnected ideas, the album flows with remarkable confidence. McBain understands exactly how to move between these styles while maintaining a consistent atmosphere built around darkness, mythology, and occult grandeur.

"Hunderprest" wastes no time establishing the album's strengths. Deep bass and thunderous drums create a powerful foundation before razor-sharp guitar leads erupt into frantic speed metal territory. McBain's vocals arrive sounding completely unhinged, delivering high-pitched black metal shrieks that feel almost possessed. What makes the track so effective is its pacing. The song constantly shifts between galloping riffs, blasting drums, and slower atmospheric passages without ever losing momentum. Despite the sheer number of moving parts, it never feels cluttered. The synths introduced later in the song add a subtle symphonic layer, while the haunting spoken-word section near the end creates an eerie sense of dread that lingers long after the track finishes.

"Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)" follows with one of the catchiest songs on the album. The riffs carry a strong punk and thrash influence, built around simple but memorable hooks that immediately grab attention. The bass sounds thick and plucky throughout, while the drums maintain a deep, hollow tone that gives the track additional weight. The vocals occasionally sit slightly too far back in the mix, and some sections suffer from minor production muddiness, but the songwriting remains strong enough to overcome those flaws. The slower middle section provides excellent contrast, allowing the darker backing vocals to create an atmosphere that feels genuinely sinister.

One of the album's strongest moments arrives with "The Art of Resurrection." Opening with haunting piano melodies and mournful strings, the song immediately expands the album's emotional scope before exploding into a barrage of thrashing riffs and rapid-fire drumming. Hellripper have flirted with more atmospheric arrangements before, but rarely have they sounded this natural. The transitions between the epic slower sections and the aggressive speed metal passages feel seamless. The drums are especially effective during the mid-tempo moments, creating an almost cinematic feeling that recalls dark fantasy soundtracks. A distant guitar solo adds another layer of atmosphere before the song closes with massive bass presence and crushing momentum.

"Baobhan Sith (Waltz of the Damned)" pushes further into death metal territory than much of the surrounding material. The riffs are sharper, the drums feel more prominent, and McBain's vocals take on an even nastier character. There are moments where the intensity recalls The Black Dahlia Murder, particularly during the faster guitar passages, but Hellripper's folk influences and black metal roots prevent the song from sounding derivative. The galloping riffs are incredibly memorable, while the slower sections near the end add weight and breathing room before the song finishes. Despite how much is happening throughout the track, it remains remarkably well paced.

"Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm" is perhaps the album's purest expression of speed metal chaos. After a slow-burning introduction, the song explodes into a storm of galloping riffs, aggressive vocals, and relentless drumming. There are moments where the riffing recalls classic 80s thrash legends, particularly during the faster sections that feel reminiscent of Metallica at their most ferocious. The song is short, punchy, and completely focused on delivering maximum energy. It's also another reminder of how impressive McBain's accomplishments are as a solo musician. The level of detail, musicianship, and songwriting throughout the album would be impressive for a full band, let alone one person.

"Sculptor's Cave" slows the pace slightly while retaining the album's sense of grandeur. Deep riffs and booming bass establish a dark atmosphere before faster drums and groovy guitar work push the song forward. The vocals sound intentionally distant and hellish, adding to the track's oppressive mood. The slower middle section is particularly effective, creating a stark contrast that makes the faster material feel even more impactful when it returns. The song carries an epic quality that showcases just how much Hellripper's songwriting has matured over the years.

"Mortercheyn" begins with distant winds and atmospheric guitar textures before transitioning into one of the album's most rock-influenced tracks. The punk energy underneath the metal framework gives the song a different character from much of the record. The guitar work leads the charge throughout, while McBain's vocals remain vicious and commanding. An unexpected cowbell appearance during the slower section highlights the album's willingness to embrace unusual ideas without sacrificing momentum. The track serves as another example of Hellripper's ability to blend multiple styles into something uniquely their own.

The title track acts as the album's grand finale and perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Coronach special. Slow, doom-laden riffs and deep drums establish an overwhelming sense of dread before massive backing vocals transform the song into something almost ceremonial. The cleaner vocal passages create a fascinating contrast against the harsher screams heard throughout the album, while the guitar work remains sharp and expressive from start to finish. What makes the song so impressive is how many different styles it incorporates. One moment it feels like classic heavy metal, the next it shifts into black metal darkness before launching into thrash-fueled speed metal. Rather than feeling scattered, these transitions reinforce the album's central strength: its ability to unite countless influences under a single cohesive vision.

The production throughout Coronach generally succeeds at balancing clarity with rawness. The bass sounds huge, the drums carry real impact, and the guitars consistently cut through the mix with authority. There are occasional moments where the instrumentation becomes slightly muddied, particularly during the busiest sections, but these are minor complaints on an otherwise excellent sounding record. More importantly, the production allows the atmosphere to flourish without sacrificing the aggression that drives the album.

What truly elevates Coronach above many of its contemporaries is its sense of ambition. This is not simply another blackened speed metal record built around fast riffs and satanic imagery. McBain continually pushes the project into new territory, incorporating folk melodies, cinematic arrangements, traditional heavy metal heroics, and atmospheric storytelling without ever losing the savage energy that defines Hellripper. Every song feels purposeful, every stylistic shift feels earned, and the album never falls into the trap of experimentation for its own sake.

Coronach ultimately feels like the culmination of everything Hellripper have been building toward over the last decade. It retains the speed, aggression, and chaos of the project's early material while embracing a broader and more sophisticated approach to songwriting. The riffs are unforgettable, the performances are exceptional, and the atmosphere is among the strongest McBain has ever created. While a few minor production issues prevent it from reaching absolute perfection, they do little to diminish the impact of an album that consistently sounds inspired and fully realized.

Hellripper have spent years proving they are far more than a nostalgic black/thrash revival act. Coronach cements that status completely. It's an ambitious, exhilarating, and wildly entertaining extreme metal record that showcases everything James McBain does best while pointing toward even greater possibilities in the future.

9/10